Is the Road to Kunkels Pass Paved?
Switzerland, europe
N/A
1,363 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Kunkelspass! This high-altitude beauty sits at 1,363m (4,471ft) in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Think twisty, narrow roads and a whole lotta Swiss charm.
You'll find it in eastern Switzerland, mostly paved with a few gravel sections to keep things interesting. It's called Riedstrasse, and you'll need to snag a permit from the City of Tamins if you're planning on driving.
This epic cliff road connects Vättis (in St. Gallen) with Tamins (in Graubünden). Picture this: a narrow road carved right into the rock face, snaking its way through tunnels with incredible window views. Seriously, it's one hairpin turn after another, but with 300m drop-offs it's not for the faint of heart.
Nestled in the Glarus Alps, the tunnels have windows with killer views. And guess what? At the top, there's a bar and restaurant waiting for you. Built during WWI, this narrow road (tunnel width of just 2.3m) isn't ideal for big RVs. Plus, get ready for some seriously steep sections, hitting up to 18.5% in gradient. So, is it worth it? Absolutely! Just take it slow and enjoy the ride.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,363 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardPuerto de Los Cotos
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de Los Cotos Ready for a proper mountain adventure? Head to the Puerto de Los Cotos, a stunning high-altitude pass sitting at 1,830 meters (6,003 feet) in Spain's Guadarrama range, right on the border between Castile León and Madrid. The route follows the M-604 from Madrid and SG-615 from Castile—both nicely paved, but fair warning: this road doesn't mess around. You're looking at some genuinely steep pitches, with sections climbing up to 8.8%, so your brakes will definitely get a workout. Starting from Monasterio El Paular, the climb stretches 13 kilometers with a solid 645-meter elevation gain averaging around 5%. If those numbers sound familiar, that's because the Spanish Vuelta a España has put this pass to good use over the years, which tells you everything you need to know about its challenging profile. The scenery throughout the ascent is absolutely worth the effort—mountain vistas that'll make you forget about burning legs and that nagging cramp in your neck. Whether you're cycling, motorcycling, or just driving up for the views, Puerto de Los Cotos delivers that genuine mountain experience that stays with you long after you've descended.
extremeAvrasya Tuneli, built underneath the seabed of Bosphorus
🇹🇷 Turkey
Cruising in Istanbul and need to hop continents? Check out the Eurasia Tunnel! This underwater marvel connects Kazlıçeşme on the European side to Göztepe on the Asian side, zipping you under the Bosphorus Strait. Since opening in December 2016, this double-decker tunnel (two lanes on each level) has been a total game-changer for Istanbul's crazy traffic. The tunnel itself stretches for 5.4 km beneath the seabed as part of a larger 14.5 km route. Rain or shine, it's open! Be warned: it is paved, but it's a fairly steep drive down to its deepest point, 106.4 meters below sea level. Stick to the 70 km/h (43 mph) speed limit, and you'll be fine. Expect to be one of about 120,000 vehicles making the daily commute. Just a heads-up: your ride needs to be under 2.8 meters tall. Oh, and don't worry about earthquakes—this baby is built to withstand a magnitude 9!
hardThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Col de Tourniol
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Tourniol Looking for a thrilling alpine challenge in southeast France? Col de Tourniol might just be your next road trip obsession. Sitting pretty at 1,145 meters (3,756 feet) above sea level in the Drôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, this mountain pass is pure driving poetry. The fully paved D101 is narrow and seriously steep—we're talking a maximum gradient of 9%—but that's exactly what makes it so fun. You'll navigate 15 hairpin turns on your way up, each one offering new perspectives of the surrounding landscape. The entire route stretches 15.6 km from Barbières to Léoncel, running west-southeast through some genuinely stunning terrain. This isn't just some random mountain road either. The Tour de France has featured Col de Tourniol, so you'll be driving in the literal wheel tracks of cycling legends. Whether you're a thrill-seeking driver or just someone who appreciates a good challenging climb, this pass delivers the goods—combining technical driving with rewarding scenery and serious alpine atmosphere.
hardIs the road to Monte Faro paved?
🇪🇸 Spain
Hey fellow adventurers! Let me tell you about Monte Faro, a hidden gem nestled in Galicia, Spain, straddling the provinces of Lugo and Pontevedra. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a fully paved but narrow and steep road winding its way up to 1,181m (3,874ft)! Located inside the Monte Faro National Park in the northwestern part of the country, the views are simply breathtaking! You'll be treated to panoramic vistas stretching across all four Galician provinces. And at the top? The Ermita do Faro, a charming 17th-century chapel built on the ruins of even older temples. History and scenery? Yes, please! The road itself is about 9.9 km (6.15 miles) long, connecting Asperelo (in Pontevedra) with Requeixo (in Lugo). Up on top, you'll find a decent-sized parking lot and a fire observation tower. You know, because Galicia gets a little toasty in the summer. Keep in mind that you're high up in the Serra do Faro mountains, so expect some rain and maybe even heavy snow some years, but the road is usually open year-round. Happy travels!