Moraca River Canyon is an unforgettable trip in Montenegro
Montenegro, europe
68.6 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Get ready for an epic adventure through the Morača River Canyon in Montenegro! This stunner, nestled in the southeastern part of the country near Kolašin and Podgorica, follows the E65 route and is completely paved.
Clocking in at around 68.6 km (42.62 miles), this highway clings to the edge of the narrow canyon with tons of tunnels thrown in for good measure. Seriously, this road is a wild ride, full of cliff-side bends, but the views? Totally worth it!
You can usually drive it year-round, but watch out for closures after heavy snow or rockslides. As you get closer to the end, the road gets even more intense, hugging the river as it plunges into a canyon 300-400m deep.
Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours of driving time without stops. The scenery is out of this world. The canyon, carved by the Morača River, separates the Moračke planine and Sinjajevina ranges. You'll be mesmerized by the contrast of dark cliffs against the bright green river, with the Bjelasica peaks in the distance. Sometimes, the beauty even feels a little spooky! Trust me, you won't want to miss this incredibly picturesque drive.
Where is it?
Moraca River Canyon is an unforgettable trip in Montenegro is located in Montenegro (europe). Coordinates: 42.6972, 19.2367
Road Details
- Country
- Montenegro
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 68.6 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.6972, 19.2367
Related Roads in europe
hardLe Chalvet
🇫🇷 France
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Le Chalvet is calling your name. This epic mountain peak sits way up high at 2,583m (that's 8,474ft!) in the Hautes-Alpes of France, practically spitting distance from Italy. Now, getting to the top isn't a Sunday drive. Think gravel, rocks, and a seriously bumpy ride – this is a chairlift access trail, after all! Best tackled when the weather's playing nice, usually July and August. Trust me, you'll want some serious 4x4 skills and a vehicle to match. Heights aren't your friend? Maybe skip this one. It's steep, like, really steep. And keep an eye on the sky; thunderstorms can turn this already challenging road into an absolute beast. But hey, if you're up for the adventure, the views overlooking the Hautes-Alpes in the Southern Alps are absolutely breathtaking. You won't regret it!
hardAn epic road to Port de Bales in the French Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Port de Balès: A High-Alpine Adventure in the Pyrenees Sitting pretty at 1,760m (5,774ft) in the heart of the Occitanie region, Port de Balès is one of France's most thrilling mountain passes. Straddling the border between Hautes-Pyrénées and Haute-Garonne—just a stone's throw from Spain—this is seriously dramatic territory. The fully paved route (D925 and D51D) is no joke. This narrow, winding climb demands respect, with vertiginous drop-offs, zero guardrails, and some seriously hair-raising sections that'll get your adrenaline pumping. The good news? You'll barely see another car up here. The bad news? There's absolutely nothing at the summit, so come prepared. The road has quite the backstory. Until 1980, this was literally a mule track. When it finally got paved, Mother Nature had other ideas—winter snow and neglect trashed it so badly it became nearly impassable. Enter the Tour de France organizers in 2006, who resurfaced the entire route while scouting new Pyrenean stages. Talk about a dramatic makeover. This 25.3km (15.72-mile) route climbs from Bourg-d'Oueil in the south to Mauléon-Barousse in the north, with maximum gradients hitting a punishing 13.3%. Both the Tour and Vuelta have tackled this beast. Winter? Forget about it—snow closures are the norm for extended periods. But when conditions allow, you'll reach a spectacular broad summit with jaw-dropping 360-degree views of snow-capped Spanish peaks. Absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive.
hardHow to Drive Through Kotsifou Canyon in Crete?
🇬🇷 Greece
# Kotsifou Canyon: Crete's Hidden Masterpiece Ready for one of Crete's most stunning drives? Kotsifou Canyon, nestled in Rethymno on the southern coast, is absolutely jaw-dropping—and it's right there waiting for you to experience it. Picture this: a dramatic gorge stretching 1,800 meters with nearly vertical cliffs soaring up to 600 meters high. It starts incredibly narrow—just 10 meters across—before opening up as you venture deeper. And here's the cool part: tucked inside a stone cavity surrounded by towering rocks is a tiny chapel dedicated to Agios Nikolaos. It's the kind of detail that makes you realize how special this place really is. The actual road is a 4.2 km journey running north-south from Agios Ioannis to Sellia, and honestly? It's absolutely worth every minute. The moment you enter the canyon, you'll understand why people rave about it. The paved road winds through a narrow mountain slit with steep cliffs on either side—it's cinematic stuff. Just know that rockfalls are a genuine risk here, so stay alert. Here's what makes it even better: during Crete's scorching summers (think 40°C heat), this canyon becomes your personal air-conditioned escape route. Come in winter and you'll witness an impressive 20-meter waterfall cascading down; hit it in summer and the riverbed is bone-dry. Either way, brace yourself for serious winds—we're talking hold-onto-your-hat territory. Pull into the parking area, grab your camera, and prepare to be amazed.
moderateEstany Closell
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in the Spanish Pyrenees, near the French border, ready for an adventure! You're heading to Estany Closell, a stunning high-mountain lake chilling at 2,086m (that's 6,843ft!). This isn't your average Sunday drive; you'll need a 4x4 because the road is unpaved and a bit rough. Best time to go? Late spring to early fall, otherwise you might be dealing with snow. Trust me, you want to see the views! Starting from the adorable village of Tavascan, it's a 13.4 km climb to the top. You'll gain a whopping 960 meters in elevation along the way. Get ready for some seriously breathtaking high-mountain scenery, totally classic Pyrenees vibes. Get ready for an unforgettable off-road adventure!