Is the Road to Tanin Geçidi paved?
Turkey, europe
23.4 km
2,230 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, folks, buckle up for Tanin Geçidi, a high-altitude stunner in Turkey's southeastern Şırnak Province! This recently paved road snakes its way up to 2,230m (7,316ft), south of Lake Van and practically kissing the Iraqi border.
Get ready for a wild ride, though! We're talking steep climbs, hairpin turns galore (think around 34!), and a proper test of your driving skills. The 23.4 km (14.54 miles) stretch connects Özelli to Uzungeçit, offering some seriously epic scenery along the way.
Word to the wise: winter is a no-go. This area gets hammered with snow, so plan your trip accordingly.
But wait, there's more! For the truly adventurous, an unpaved track branches off south of the pass and climbs even higher to a true summit of 2,432m (7,979ft). This 1.5 km off-road section is not for the faint of heart. We're talking serious incline (averaging 13.46%!), so a 4x4 is an absolute must.
Road Details
- Country
- Turkey
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,230 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
moderateGerlitzen Alpine Road is a sensational drive south of the Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
# Gerlitzen Alpe Panoramastraße Tucked along the northern shore of Lake Ossiach in Carinthia, Austria, the Gerlitzen Alpe Panoramastraße is a scenic toll road that's absolutely worth the drive. The name itself has a fiery backstory—it comes from the ancient Slavonic word "Gorelice" (goreti = to burn), a nod to the region's history with wildfires. This 12km (7.45 miles) route starts near Bodensdorf, right by the lake, and climbs steadily upward to a panoramic car park perched at 1,773m (5,816ft) elevation. You'll gain a serious 1,258 meters of elevation along the way, which translates to an average gradient of about 10.48%—with some sections hitting a punchy 13%. The road itself is fully paved (though it's seen better days) and pretty narrow at just 5 meters wide, but that's part of its charm. As you wind your way up, you're treated to gorgeous views of the Ossiacher Sea below and the stunning Carinthian landscape unfolding around you. The drive culminates near the Mountain Resort Feuerberg, where that panoramic car park offers some truly breathtaking vistas of central Carinthia. It's the kind of road that justifies a leisurely afternoon—take your time, soak in the views, and enjoy one of Austria's most scenic drives.
easyWhat is the Diamond Circle in Iceland?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Get ready for an epic adventure on Iceland's Diamond Circle Road in the northeast! This loop hits five must-see spots: the dreamy Lake Mývatn, the thunderous Dettifoss waterfall, the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon, the charming town of Húsavík, and the majestic Goðafoss waterfall. Starting from Húsavík, perched on the edge of Skjálfandi bay, you'll weave past the awe-inspiring Dettifoss and the serene Lake Myvatn before circling back. Clocking in at 190 miles (310 kilometers), this road trip is now fully paved (as of 2020!), so you don't *technically* need a 4x4. That being said, if you're planning a self-drive adventure, it's highly recommended to book a 4WD vehicle. Plus, if you're eager to explore the east side of Dettifoss and Selfoss Waterfalls, you'll be navigating a rough, gravel road riddled with potholes. The Diamond Circle is open year-round, but be warned: winter can bring closures to parts of the loop. Always double-check conditions before you set off, and only tackle it if you're a confident driver. While the drive itself takes around 3-4 hours without stops, you'll want to budget a full 10-12 hours to soak it all in. Trust me, with landscapes this otherworldly, you'll be pulling over constantly for photo ops!
moderateThe old and abandoned road to Puerto de Rañadoiro
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: You're in northern Spain, in the gorgeous Asturias region, ready for an adventure. You stumble upon what used to be the epic Puerto de Rañadoiro, a mountain pass soaring to 1,178m (3,864ft). Now, heads up, the old road over the top is currently a no-go for vehicles as it's being dismantled – a tunnel bypasses it now! But back in the day, this paved road, nestled in the Sierra de Rañadoiro mountains, was a stunner, and super steep. Think hardly any traffic and stunning views for 11.3km between Cangas del Narcea and Degaña, with an average gradient of 5.3%. Known as ‘Camino Real del Trayecto’ this route was a medieval hotspot. Whilst technically open year-round, winter could throw a curveball with short closures due to bad weather. Nowadays you can whizz through the Rañadoiro tunnel, a 1.924m tunnel that’s part of the 3,930 meters bypass of the AS-15 that replaced the old 11.3km route over the port. Still, if you're into history, imagining what it was like on this old medieval highway is pretty cool, right?
moderateDriving the Scenic N379-1 Road with Stunning Views of the Atlantic Ocean
🇵🇹 Portugal
Okay, picture this: the N379-1, or Estrada de Escarpa as the locals call it. South of Lisbon, Portugal, this coastal beauty is like the PCH's European cousin. Snaking through the Parque Natural da Arrábida, prepare for about 15 km (9.3 miles) of pure driving bliss – and a few white-knuckle moments! This old mountain path hugs the Serra da Arrábida hills, giving you non-stop incredible views. Now, it's paved, but don't get too comfy. Think seriously twisty roads, some tight squeezes, and, oh yeah, zero guardrails with some pretty intense drops straight into the Atlantic. Trust me, you'll want to drive it both ways, because the perspective changes everything. Starting near Setúbal and heading towards São Lourenço, you'll climb up to around 500 meters, giving you mind-blowing panoramas of the coast, hidden beaches, and those dramatic Serra do Risco cliffs. Seriously, the views are epic, and you might just feel like you're in a high-speed chase scene from a movie. Get ready for the drive of your life!