How long is Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda?
Italy, europe
354 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Sardinia's eastern coast, sun shining, and you're cruising along the Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda. Trust me, this is a road trip you won't forget!
Stretching for 354 kilometers (that's 220 miles) from Quartucciu, near Cagliari, all the way up to Palau, this fully paved road is a pure Sardinian adventure. "Beautiful" doesn't even begin to cover it. But fair warning, it's also known as one of the island's more challenging drives.
Think hairpin turns galore, tunnels popping up out of nowhere, and maybe even some potholes thrown in for good measure. The views? Absolutely stunning. Just keep your eyes on the road! Summer brings the crowds, so be prepared for a little traffic around the tourist hotspots. Oh, and those winds? They can be brutal from September to April, with gusts reaching over 100 km/h (60 mph). Hold on tight!
For the ultimate experience, make sure you tackle the 63-kilometer (39-mile) section within the Parco nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu. This stretch connects Santa Maria Navarrese, a charming coastal town, to Dorgali. This is where the scenery goes into overdrive. Trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 354 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere are the Kissing Rocks?
🇨🇠Switzerland
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Swiss Alps in the Maloja Region, near the Italian border in Val Bregaglia. Keep an eye out for the legendary "Kissing Rocks," a natural landmark you can literally drive through! Route 3 slices right between these geological sweethearts. The road stretches about 19 kilometers (or nearly 12 miles) from Bregaglia, Switzerland, all the way to Chiavenna in Italy. Word to the wise: parking spots are scarce, so snag one quick if you're hoping to hop out, explore, and snap some postcard-worthy shots. Trust me, you'll want to remember this unique drive!
hardSella di Leonessa
🇮🇹 Italy
# Sella di Leonessa Buckle up for a thrilling ride to Sella di Leonessa, a stunning mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,890 meters (6,200 feet) in Italy's Central Apennines. You'll tackle this beast via SP 10, a winding road that climbs toward Monte Terminillo with serious ambition. Fair warning: this route is strictly a summer adventure. Expect it to be completely impassable from November through May, so plan accordingly. The road doesn't hold back—hairpin turns keep you on your toes, and some sections hit a brutal 12.2% gradient that'll make your calves (and brakes) work for it. Pro tip: this pass is legendary enough that the Giro d'Italia has featured it, so you'll be cycling (or driving) in some pretty famous tire tracks. The real magic? Connecting two charming spots: the provincial capital of Rieti—supposedly smack in the geographic center of Italy—with the picturesque mountain village of Leonessa nestled on the northern slopes of the Monti Reatini. It's a quintessential Central Italian experience with switchbacks, stunning alpine scenery, and the kind of challenging drive that makes for great stories back home.
extremeWhat are The Three Corniches?
🇫🇷 France
Cruising eastward from Nice towards Menton, in the heart of the French Riviera, you'll stumble upon Les Trois Corniches – three incredible roads carved into the mountains, offering insane coastal views. Seriously, they’re some of the world's greatest drives. Spanning around 20 miles, whichever one you choose, these three routes wind through the mountains from Nice to Menton, delivering some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe. Back in the 19th century, engineers built three parallel scenic highways, each with its own vibe: the Grande Corniche at the top, the Moyenne Corniche in the middle, and the Basse Corniche (or Corniche Inferieure) hugging the coast. The views have made them famous, and you might recognize them from movies like *How to Catch a Thief*. The Basse and Moyenne Corniches can get pretty congested with everyday traffic heading into Monaco, but the Grande is usually quieter. First up, the Grande Corniche (also known as the Corniche Superieure), or the M2564. Originally built by Napoléon I, this route follows the ancient Via Julia Augusta from Nice to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. It's the highest of the three, climbing over 1,500 feet. Some say it’s the most dangerous, and Princess Grace's tragic accident happened here. But the payoff is huge: staggering views and a serious historical connection. Word of caution: it can get foggy up there, and in some spots, it's barely wide enough for two cars. Next, the Moyenne Corniche, or the M6007, sits halfway up the slope. Built between 1910 and 1928, it’s the middle child. The views are still amazing, and this one's the fastest if you're in a rush. Carved right into the rock, the road takes you past the Col de Villefranche, Èze, and Beausoleil. Because it's so scenic, it can be an accident hotspot – so keep your eyes on the road! Finally, the Basse Corniche (or Corniche Inferieure), or the M6098, hugs the coast. This one's a bit more chill, winding through pretty beach towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer, St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Èze-sur-Mer, and Cap d’Ail. Expect blue seas and glamorous traffic jams, but it's perfect if you're not in a hurry.
easyWhere is Col de l’Espaul?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Alpes-Maritimes in France, headed for a hidden gem called Col de l’Espaul. This mountain pass sits way up high at 1,752 meters (that's 5,748 feet!), offering killer views in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. You'll take Route de la Colle, snaking up through the Mercantour Massif. Be warned, those ramps can hit a 10% gradient, so hold on tight! The road *is* paved (thankfully!), but let's just say it's seen better days – blame it on that golf course they built up there. Starting in Péone on Rue Saint-Jean, it's a short but sweet 2.9 kilometers (or 1.8 miles) to the top. The road ends right at the summit where there's a big parking lot, perfect for soaking in the views of the Mercantour National Park. Trust me, the scenery makes any bumps along the way totally worth it!