Is the Haustsjøen Mountain Road Unpaved?
Norway, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through southern Norway on the Haustsjøen Mountain Road, named after a local lake. The views? Totally epic. Mountains stretching as far as the eye can see!
Heads up though – while most of the route is doable in a regular car, there’s this unpaved section stretching eastward for a couple of kilometers that can get a little bumpy. If you want a smoother ride, I'd recommend an SUV.
The whole Fylkesveg 686 (FV686) Road is just under 15km, reaching a max elevation of 1,013 meters. As you climb, you'll wind through this gorgeous landscape dotted with cute little mountain huts. It's like something out of a postcard!
Related Roads in europe
extremeDriving the wild 4x4 road to Svinaskard Pass
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Just outside Reykjavík, where the city fades into the wild Icelandic countryside of Kjósarhreppur, lies Svínaskarð Pass, a true test of your driving mettle. Locals whisper it’s one of Iceland's toughest drives. This ain't your average Sunday cruise, folks. "The Pass of Pigs," as it's known, hasn’t seen much love since cars first tackled it back in 1930. Forget pavement; it's all about that rugged, unyielding terrain on Svínaskarðsleið. Trust me, you'll want a proper 4x4 and some serious off-road skills. Heading north from the summit (at a cool 485m!), prepare for a wild descent. Think hairpin turns hugging a mountainside, plunging into a cliff-lined ravine. It's steep, narrow, and those turns? Razor sharp. Parts of the road are so intense your car might just start sliding down the loose rock! Clocking in at just over 16km (10ish miles), this north-south adventure connects Kjósarskarðsvegur (Road 48) with Þingvallavegur (Road 36). The views, though? Absolutely epic. Just make sure you keep your eyes on the road… this one demands respect!
moderateIf you love to drive, you will love the road to Puerto del Cubillo
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Spain, in the province of Cuenca. You're climbing into the Serranía de Cuenca mountains, headed for Puerto del Cubillo. This mountain pass tops out at a cool 1,617 meters (5,305 feet). The road, CU-V-9161, is a smooth, paved dream thanks to a recent resurfacing. You can usually hit it year-round, but be mindful of winter conditions, as they can sometimes shut things down. Trust me, it's worth the trip; it's a super fun drive and you won't be fighting any crowds. The whole shebang stretches for 10.3 kilometers (6.4 miles), winding from the CM-2106 road, east to a junction with the A-1704 and TE-V-9113. If you're feeling adventurous, there's a gravel road north of the pass that takes you up to the abandoned ski resort, La Mogorrita, peaking at 1,688m. Heads up: this climb is no joke! It's been featured in the Vuelta a España, so you know it's got some bite. Some sections hit a 10% gradient. If you're starting from the CM2106 road, the ascent is almost 9 kilometers, gaining 383 meters in elevation, for an average gradient of nearly 4%. Keep an eye out for the Cerrada de la Magdalena and Mirador de Sierra Alta for some seriously stunning views.
hardBalcon du Bozelet
🇫🇷 France
Okay, so you're looking for adventure? Then buckle up and point your rig towards the Balcon du Bozelet, a mountain-top restaurant chilling at a cool 2,411 meters (that's 7,910 feet!) in the French Alps. We're talking Savoie department, deep in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, inside the northern part of Vanoise National Park. Now, heads up: this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. The track up there is rocky, bumpy, and can get a little tippy – all part of the fun, right? Best to hit this one between late June and October; otherwise, snow's likely to shut it down. Even in summer, keep an eye on the forecast – you might catch some late-season snow! Temps get brutal here, and the wind? Let's just say it's consistently *enthusiastic*. This is a trail for experienced off-roaders, and trust me, you'll want a 4x4. It’s STEEP, with grades hitting 10% in spots. And if you're not a fan of heights, maybe grab a postcard instead. But the reward? Absolutely unreal views from the top. Seriously, the panoramas are worth every white-knuckle moment!
hardA steep paved road to Col Tze Core in the Aosta Valley
🇮🇹 Italy
Col Tze Core is a thrilling high-altitude pass tucked away in Italy's Aosta Valley, sitting at a respectable 1,607m (5,272ft) above sea level. Also called Col Zuccore or Tzecore, this gem is hidden in the north-western corner of the country. The 9.4 km (5.84 miles) stretch winds from Strada Regionale 7 near Sommarese all the way up to Orbeillaz, and here's what makes it interesting: while the road is fully paved, it's definitely on the narrow side. You'll encounter some seriously steep sections that'll really test your driving skills—we're talking 15.3% gradients on some of those ramps. It's the kind of road that demands your full attention and respect. The payoff? Once you reach the summit, there's a charming picnic area waiting for you. Perfect spot to catch your breath, soak in the views, and celebrate making it up this challenging Alpine pass.