Inlandsvagen (Inland Road)
Sweden, europe
1,300 km
800 m
easy
June to August
# The Inlandsvagen: Sweden's Epic Journey Through the Wild North
Ready for a real adventure? The Inlandsvagen stretches an impressive 1,300 kilometers through Sweden's interior, starting in Gothenburg and winding all the way north to Karesuando right on the Finnish border. Following the historic Inlandsbanan railway route, this drive takes you straight through the heart of Swedish Lapland and some of Europe's most beautifully remote landscapes—we're talking endless boreal forests, pristine lakes that mirror the sky, and that magical moment when you cross the Arctic Circle.
This isn't a road trip for city hoppers. The Inlandsvagen is pure wilderness, pulling you deep into Sweden's untamed heart. You'll roll through Jokkmokk, the Sami cultural hub where a legendary winter market has been going strong since 1605, and pass through Gallivare, an atmospheric old mining town frozen in time. Around Jokkmokk, there's even a roadside marker celebrating your Arctic Circle crossing—a perfect photo op.
The experience shifts dramatically depending on when you visit. Summer transforms the region into something almost otherworldly, with the midnight sun refusing to set and bathing the landscape in endless daylight. Winter? That's a completely different beast—deep snow blankets everything, and if you're lucky, the northern lights put on a show that'll leave you speechless.
Wildlife watchers will be thrilled: moose, reindeer, bears, and wolverines all call these forests home. Driving the Inlandsvagen is less about getting somewhere fast and more about soaking in the meditative rhythm of one of Europe's last true wilderness routes.
Where is it?
Inlandsvagen (Inland Road) is located in Swedish Lapland, Sweden (europe). Coordinates: 66.6067, 19.8250
Driving Tips
# Road Trip Tips for the North
Plan to give yourself at least 4-5 days for the full route – rushing through this one will just mean missing out on the good stuff.
Keep your eyes peeled for moose, especially when you're driving at dawn or dusk. These guys can appear out of nowhere and they're no joke on the road, so stay alert during those times.
Stock up on gas when you can. Out in the northern parts, you might find fuel stations are more than 100 km apart, so don't let your tank get too low. Plan ahead and fill up whenever you spot a station.
If you're heading up there in winter, try to time your visit with the Jokkmokk Sami market in February. It's a really cool experience and adds something special to a winter road trip in the region.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Sweden
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Swedish Lapland
- Length
- 1,300 km
- Max Elevation
- 800 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- June to August
- Coordinates
- 66.6067, 19.8250
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Agnel Pass?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Col Agnel-Colle dell'Agnello, straddling the French-Italian border at a whopping 2,744m (9,003ft)! We're talking serious altitude here. You'll find this gem tucked away in the Queyras Regional Natural Park, linking the Hautes-Alpes in France with the Cuneo province in Italy. The road, known as D205T (France) and SP251 (Italy), is totally paved and stretches for about 35.2 km (21.87 miles) between Molines-en-Queyras and Casteldelfino. It's one of the highest roads you'll find in either country! Fair warning: this beauty is usually snowed in from late October until late June/early July. When it's open, budget about 1 to 1.2 hours to drive it without stops. Despite its altitude, it’s surprisingly not that busy. The summit has a tiny parking lot, but the panoramic views? Totally worth it. Heads up: the road can get pretty narrow in spots and the gradients are steep, hitting a maximum of 15% in places. Watch out for potential rock slides! Also, heavy vehicles aren’t allowed. Oh, and did I mention it's been featured in both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France?
moderateFurka Pass
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# The Furka Pass: A Swiss Alpine Classic If you're hunting for one of Switzerland's most iconic high-altitude drives, the Furka Pass is calling your name. Perched at a breathtaking 2,429 meters above sea level, this 38-kilometer beauty connects the cantons of Valais and Uri and serves as the gateway to the Rhone Glacier—the very source of the Rhone River itself. The drive from Gletsch to Hospental is pure Alpine drama. You'll climb from verdant valleys into an otherworldly landscape of jagged peaks and windswept plateaus, with the legendary Goldfinger car chase location from 1964 adding a splash of cinematic cool to your journey. The sweeping curves here are built for memorable drives, whether you're a Bond fan or just a lover of mountain roads. The Rhone Glacier is the real star, though it's visibly retreating thanks to climate change. Even so, it's still worth stopping for—they carve out an ice grotto each summer where you can actually walk inside glowing blue ice. The iconic Hotel Belvedere, dramatically perched above the glacier at a hairpin turn, has become a legendary photo spot (even if it's currently closed). Here's the best part: the Furka is part of a triumphant Alpine triple-pass circuit with the Grimsel and Susten passes nearby. Combine them all and you've got one unforgettable road trip. The pass opens June through October with perfectly maintained asphalt and solid guardrails, so the drive itself is surprisingly comfortable. For winter crossings or a nostalgic experience, hop on the historic Furka Steam Railway for a charming steam-powered adventure over the summit.
hardCan you drive through Topolia Gorge?
🇬🇷 Greece
Craving an off-the-beaten-path adventure on Crete? Head inland from Kissamos, in western Chania, and prepare for a stunning drive through the Topolia Gorge! This isn't your average Sunday cruise. The road snakes for about 10.5 km (6.5 miles) between Topolia and Elos, carving a path through the Cretan mountains. You'll be driving high, with views for days! The road is paved, but be warned: it's seriously narrow. The gorge itself is dramatic, carved by the River Tyflos, with vertical walls towering up to 300 meters! Locals whisper about fairies and goddesses dwelling in these dramatic landscapes. The highlight (or lowlight, depending on your nerves!) is the Topolia Tunnel, a single-lane, unlit passage dating back to the 1920s. At only 4 meters wide and 110 meters long, it's a tight squeeze, and traffic lights control the flow. Legend has it, this is the only tunnel on Crete that was dug entirely by hand! Allow 25-30 minutes to drive without stopping, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop. There are viewpoints galore for snapping photos, and don't miss the Cave of Agia Sofia and its namesake church, perched just above the road. Plus, you'll often find local vendors selling their goods near the gorge, before you reach the tunnel. Just a heads up: this stretch can get crowded in August, so hit the road early to beat the traffic!
extremeGoletto Gaver
🇮🇹 Italy
# Goletto Gaver: A Hidden Alpine Gem Tucked away in Brescia province, Lombardy, Goletto Gaver sits pretty at 1,795 meters (5,889 feet) above sea level—perfect for anyone craving that mountain air fix. This pass connects the charming towns of Breno to the west with Bagolino down south via the Strada Provinciale 669. Here's the thing: the road is paved, which sounds great until you realize it's *incredibly* narrow. Seriously, you'll want to take it slow and hope you don't meet anyone coming the other way. Winter's no joke here either—snow can shut this route down without warning, so check conditions before heading up. The drive itself is steep but totally manageable, with gradients topping out around 10%, so even if you're not an experienced mountain driver, you've got this. It sits just east of Passo di Croce Domini, making it a perfect addition to a bigger Alpine adventure through the region.