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
moderateWhere is Vaalserberg?
🇩🇪 Germany
Okay, picture this: you're standing at the very top of the Netherlands (well, mainland Netherlands, anyway!), a spot called Vaalserberg. It’s not Everest, topping out at just 322.7 meters (1,059 feet), but it's special. Why? Because you're simultaneously in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands! Seriously, it's the tri-country point, a total geographic oddity. The road up, also called Mount Vaals, is smooth sailing all the way on a fully paved route. In the Netherlands, it’s the Viergrenzenweg; hop over to Belgium, and it’s Route des Trois Bornes; cross into Germany, and it's Dreiländerweg. Up top on the Dutch side, you'll find a big parking area and the Wilhelminatoren, a 35-meter observation tower with a restaurant for those stunning panoramic views. On the Belgian side, there's the even taller Baudouin Tower (50m). This peak is a mecca for cyclists. Get ready for some serious climbs and breathtaking scenery!
hardA Most Tricky Scenic Drive to Rifugio La Baita
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio La Baita-Val di Rezzalo Perched at 1,860 meters (6,102 feet) in Sondrio province in northern Italy, this mountain refuge sits within the stunning Stelvio National Park. Getting here is definitely an adventure—and honestly, you'll need a 4x4 to make it happen, as the road is closed to regular vehicles. Starting from Frontale along Strada Statale 38, you've got a solid 10.2 km (6.33 miles) of climbing ahead of you. The paved section gets you partway there, but once you roll past Fumero, things get seriously rough and unpaved. Fair warning: there are basically no guardrails, and what little protection exists is more symbolic than practical. The average gradient sits at a punishing 8.91%, with 909 meters of elevation gain—so yeah, it's steep. But here's why you'd make the journey: the views from the hut are absolutely incredible, sweeping across the entire valley below. In summer, it's the perfect basecamp for hiking adventures like Corno di Boero-Savoretta and the Sobretta Glaciers. Come winter, if you're equipped with snowshoes or off-track skis, you can tackle even more peaks like Pollore and the Savoretta Glacier. This road demands respect and proper equipment, but if you're up for the challenge, the rewards are genuinely spectacular.
easyWhere is Corniche de l’Esterel road?
🇫🇷 France
Cruising the Corniche de l'Esterel is like driving through a postcard of the French Riviera! This gem hugs the coastline in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, winding its way through the Esterel National Park between Saint Raphael and Théoule sur Mer – practically spitting distance from St. Tropez and Cannes. At around 30km (18.64 miles) long, this curvy road, known as both D559 and D6098, was built at the start of the 20th century, and is also called Corniche d'Or (Golden Corniche) due to the reddish rocks that tower above it. It's a feast for the eyes, with endless twists and turns that border some seriously pristine water. Just be warned, it gets busy, especially on weekends and holidays. Is it worth it? Absolutely! The views are insane, especially at sunrise and sunset. Think jagged rocks, hidden coves with crystal-clear water, and panoramas that'll knock your socks off. Slow down, take it all in, and pull over at those viewpoints. You won't regret it. In fact, this road has featured in several movies!
moderateTravel guide to the top of Col du Chasseral in the Jura Mountains
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Col du Chasseral Ever heard of Col du Chasseral? This 1,606-meter (5,269 ft) alpine gem sits pretty in Switzerland's Jura Mountains, nestled in the Bern canton near Neuchâtel. It's the kind of place that makes you understand why people fall in love with mountain driving. Here's what makes it special: the summit is home to a charming hotel-restaurant and a communication tower, and the views? Absolutely stunning. You get panoramic vistas over three beautiful lakes, with the massive Biel Lake dominating the landscape right below you. It's the kind of spot that makes you want to pull over and just breathe. The route from Nods is a solid 10.4 km (6.46 miles) of pure alpine driving, climbing 710 meters with an average gradient of 6.82%. The road itself is completely paved, but fair warning—it's narrow and seriously steep. You'll navigate some tight switchbacks that'll keep your hands firmly on the wheel. The asphalt is in decent shape overall, and the drainage systems are helpfully marked with white lines. The real challenge? Those speed bumps between the pass and the hotel are legitimately tall and demand your full attention and a slow approach. The road ends at a parking area at 1,548 meters, where cars have to call it quits. From there, adventurers can hike or bike the final stretch to the actual summit. **Pro tip:** Don't forget to check conditions before you go—this pass is notorious for winter closures, so timing is everything if you're planning a visit in the colder months.