How long is the Vildmarksvägen road?
Sweden, europe
360 km
42 m
easy
Year-round
Get ready for an epic Swedish adventure on the Vildmarksvägen, or Wilderness Road! This isn't just a drive, it's a 360-kilometer (220 mi) fully paved journey from northern Jämtland to southern Lapland, taking you through some of Sweden's wildest terrain.
Starting near the Norwegian border in Strömsund, you'll wind your way through Gäddede, Jormvattnet, Stora Blåsjön, and Stekenjokk, before cruising on to Klimpfjäll, Kultsjön, Saxnäs, and finally Vilhelmina. Word to the wise: some call it Stekenjokkvägen!
Be warned: this route isn't for the faint of heart. It climbs to 876m (2,874ft) above sea level at the Stekenjokk plateau – said to be the highest paved road in Sweden! Due to heavy snow (we're talking up to 6 meters!), the mountain plateau of Stekenjokk is usually only open from early June to mid-October. Plus, you're in prime bear country, so keep your eyes peeled!
But the views? Absolutely stunning. Think breathtaking natural spectacles, a taste of Sami culture, and Northern Swedish hospitality.
Don't miss the Korallgrottan (Coral Cave) near Stora Blåsjön, a unique limestone cave that's only accessible with a guide (book ahead!). And check out the longest canyon in Sweden outside Gäddede, complete with a gorgeous 42-meter waterfall. It's the perfect spot for a picnic or, if you're feeling brave, an abseiling adventure. Get ready for an unforgettable road trip!
Road Details
- Country
- Sweden
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 360 km
- Max Elevation
- 42 m
- Difficulty
- easy
Related Roads in europe
extremeMA-1131 is a narrow high shelf road in Mallorca
🇪🇸 Spain
# Carretera MA-1131: Mallorca's Most Thrilling Coastal Drive Ready for one of the world's most exhilarating road trips? The Carretera MA-1131 in Mallorca is an absolute beast of a drive that'll get your adrenaline pumping. This jaw-dropping route snakes down from the Tramuntana Sierra mountains all the way to the Mediterranean coast, and let me tell you—it's not for the faint of heart. Starting at the MA-10 near Valldemossa (home to the stunning 14th-century Royal Charterhouse where the philosopher Ramon Llull once lived), this 5.7km stretch descends to the hidden gem of Port de Valldemossa. This tiny beach is refreshingly under-the-radar and beloved by locals who want to escape the tourist crowds. What makes this drive truly epic is how it transforms the moment you leave Valldemossa. That seemingly normal road quickly narrows to barely one car width, with only occasional pullouts for passing. You'll navigate nine wickedly sharp hairpin turns while climbing gradients up to 16%—that's seriously steep. The elevation gain of 365 meters might not sound like much, but trust me, you'll feel every meter of it. This is a snail's-pace kind of drive (rarely exceeding 30km/h), and you'll want to honk your horn navigating those blind corners. Some sections are genuine single-track roads with heart-stopping drops to the coast. Plan about 20 minutes for the complete journey, and make sure you're paying full attention—there's only one spot to safely stop for photos. But here's the thing: those vertiginous sea and cliff views? They're absolutely breathtaking. You might even spot mountaineers scaling the rocks overhead. Just keep your eyes on the road, grip that wheel, and savor the ride.
moderateWhere is Fort de la Redoute?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: You're in the French Alps, near the Italian border, ready for an adventure. You're heading to Fort de la Redoute, a seriously cool historical site perched high in the mountains. This place has seen some stuff! It started as a redoubt back in the day, got a French makeover, and then evolved into a full-blown fort with walls, an observatory, even a drawbridge. It was manned by Alpine troops and visited by presidents. It even saw action during World War II! Now, getting there is half the fun. The road is an old military track, so expect unpaved conditions the whole way. We're talking a rough, rugged climb that's only accessible in the summer. Definitely not a drive to attempt after rain! Starting from the paved D1090, the unpaved section stretches for 2.7 km. It's a rideable climb, and the views from the top are insane. And the fort itself? Exploring its ruins is like stepping back in time. Heads up, though: Access is technically prohibited due to unexploded ordnance! After the war, the area became part of the La Rosière ski resort, and the old military track is now a hiking and trail route.
hardWhere is State Road D950?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, buckle up for a wild ride on the D950, a major north-south artery in Turkey! Forget boring highways; this route carves its way through Artvin, Erzurum, Bingöl, and Diyarbakır provinces. Stretching from Hopa on the Black Sea near Georgia all the way to Şenyurt on the Syrian border, this one's a lengthy adventure. Think scenic overlooks meet bustling transport corridors, making it a vital but, shall we say, *interesting* drive. Give yourself a solid chunk of time to conquer it. This route is a go-to for truck drivers due to its strategic location, so keep an eye out. Word to the wise: this road crosses three mountain passes, so winter can throw a curveball. After heavy snow, parts might be temporarily closed. But when it's clear? Epic views through Nebirnav Yaylasi are waiting for you!
hardFalzarego Pass is a road with 38 sharp hairpin bends
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo di Falzarego is a stunning high mountain pass sitting at 2,105m (6,906ft) in the Belluno province of Italy's Veneto region. Trust us, the views are absolutely worth the climb. This legendary pass has serious historical chops—it was a crucial battleground during World War II's Dolomite war between the Austrians and Italians, and you'll still find moving war memorials scattered throughout the area. The name itself, "false king" in the local Ladin language, adds to its mystique. The road section was inaugurated on September 13th, 1909, making it the final piece of the Great Dolomite Road to open. Over a century later, it's still celebrated as an engineering marvel. Running 37.9 km (23.54 miles) east-west from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Arabba, this fully paved route (Strada Regionale 48) is a rider's dream and a driver's challenge. You're looking at 38 hairpin bends, a handful of tunnels, and a gnarly 12.6% maximum gradient that'll get your heart pumping. But here's the payoff: those 360-degree Dolomite vistas are absolutely breathtaking, and the road itself is a technical masterpiece of curves, sweepers, and straightaways. The pass is so legendary that it's a key stage of the Giro d'Italia—Italy's prestigious cycling tour. From the summit, you can continue north on SP24 toward Val Badia, passing below Sas de Stria and through Valparola Pass for even more alpine adventure.