Is the road to Mount Olympus in Greece unpaved?
Greece, europe
22.2 km
2,470 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near the border of Thessaly and Macedonia in Greece, you HAVE to check out Mount Olympus. There's this crazy gravel road that winds its way up to 2,470 meters (that's over 8,100 feet!). Seriously, it's one of the highest roads in the whole country!
Heads up: This isn't a Sunday drive. The whole thing is unpaved and super steep. If you're not comfortable with rough mountain roads, maybe skip this one. You'll definitely want a 4WD vehicle and some serious driving skills. Newbies beware – there are over 25 hairpin turns on this climb!
The road stretches for 22.2 kilometers (almost 14 miles) starting from the charming village of Kalyvia. Your reward? The Christakis Refuge, a mountain hut with a story. It's named after Christos Kakalos, a local hunter who guided the first climbers to the summit of Mount Olympus way back in 1913.
Just a heads-up: this road, located in Mount Olympus National Park, is usually snowed-in from September to May. And be prepared for some serious wind – it's practically a daily occurrence. But hey, you're driving on a road to the home of the gods in Greek mythology! How cool is that?
Road Details
- Country
- Greece
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 22.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,470 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardCol de Pierre Vesce
🇫🇷 France
Alright, fellow road trip lovers, let's talk about the Col de Pierre Vesce, a sweet little pass nestled in the Drôme region of southeastern France. You'll find it clocking in at 1,042 meters (that's 3,418 feet for my American friends) above sea level. The road, known as D65B, is paved, so no need to worry about getting your tires dirty. However, don’t get too comfortable! This route isn't playing around, with some seriously narrow and steep sections reaching up to 10%. You'll find it connecting the charming villages of Villebois-les-Pins to the north and Laborel to the south. If you're coming from Laborel, get ready for a 3.3 km climb, gaining 229 meters in elevation at an average gradient of 6.9%. Starting in Villebois les Pins, the ascent is shorter at 2.3 km, but don’t let that fool you. You’ll be climbing 201 meters at a steeper average gradient of 8.7%. This one will definitely get your heart pumping!
extremeHow difficult is the drive on Road 953?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Road 953, aka Mjóafjarðarvegur, in Iceland's wild Eastfjords! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a gravel track carved into the side of cliffs, hugging the northern shore of Mjóifjörður – supposedly the wildest fjord around. This road is a summer-only thrill ride to the tiny village of Mjóifjörður and the Dalatangi Lighthouse. But be warned: it's narrow, steep, and features some seriously extreme drop-offs. Seriously, if heights aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. The reward? Insane views of the deep blue Atlantic and unspoiled glacial valleys. Plus, you'll cruise past the stunning Klifbrekkufossar waterfalls cascading right next to the road. Slow and steady wins the race here. 4WD is HIGHLY recommended to handle the loose gravel and hairpin turns. At the end of the line, you'll find the historic Dalatangi Lighthouse, offering epic panoramas of Loðmundarfjörður and Seyðisfjörður. Just a heads-up: night driving or poor visibility is a no-go on this isolated route. This is for photographers and explorers craving a taste of raw, untouched Icelandic coastline.
hardTossa dels Espiolets
🌍 Andorra
Tossa dels Espiolets is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.470m (8,103ft) above the sea level, located on the Canillo and Encamp border, in Andorra. one of the highest mountain roads of the country. The road to the summit is rocky and gravel. It’s a chairlift access trail. The slope is very steep, consists of loose stones and becomes even steeper and rocky in the upper part. This trail can be done only a very narrow time-frame in the summer (end of August). The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Even in summer you can confront with snowy days. Temperatures here in the winter are brutally cold. The road to the summit is a ski-station service road pretty steep, with some sections up to 30%. The brutally steep road to Coll Blanc Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateA 5-Star Road to Monte Croce di Comelico Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo Monte Croce di Comelico is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,636m (5,367ft) above sea level, right where South Tyrol and Belluno provinces shake hands in northern Italy. You might also hear locals calling it Kreuzbergpass. This is one of those epic border crossings that really marks the transition between two worlds – it's the dividing line between the majestic Dolomites to the west and the rugged Carnic Alps to the northeast. It's also where the Autonomous Province of Bolzano meets the Veneto region, not far from the Austrian border. The drive itself is a beauty. The 37km (23-mile) route runs south-north from Santo Stefano di Cadore all the way up to San Candido, and the whole thing is silky smooth – pristine pavement the entire way along Strada Statale 52 (SS52). No rough surprises here, just quality asphalt for the full journey. Once you crest the summit, you'll find yourself at a proper little hub with a spacious parking lot, a charming chapel, a hotel, and a restaurant where you can catch your breath and refuel. It's the kind of place that's earned its stripes too – professional cyclists have tackled this pass during the Giro d'Italia, so you know it's legit. Whether you're a serious driver or just chasing mountain views, this is one pass that truly delivers.