Navigating Serbia's Dangerous Ibar Highway: An Overview of State Road 22
Montenegro, europe
297 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're hitting the Ibarska Magistrala, or Ibar Highway, connecting Belgrade to the wild west of Serbia and Montenegro. Locals call it the "Black Highway," which should tell you something!
Following the snaking path of the Ibar River, this 297 km (185-mile) stretch is part of a few major European routes.
The road surface is paved, but don't expect a smooth ride the whole way. City sections are decent, but as you head into the countryside, things can get a little dicey, especially after a storm. I'd highly recommend sticking to daytime driving; nightfall adds a whole new level of challenge to this route. It's mostly single-lane and can get seriously congested.
Fair warning: this road has a bit of a reputation. Sadly, there's a high accident rate. Between 2017 and 2019, there were a lot of crashes and, tragically, quite a few fatalities and injuries.
So, if you're up for an adventure with a side of caution, the Ibar Highway offers some stunning scenery alongside its challenging conditions. Drive safe out there!
Where is it?
Navigating Serbia's Dangerous Ibar Highway: An Overview of State Road 22 is located in Montenegro (europe). Coordinates: 42.5627, 19.6837
Road Details
- Country
- Montenegro
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 297 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.5627, 19.6837
Related Roads in europe
moderateShipka Pass
🌍 Bulgaria
# Shipka Pass: Bulgaria's Most Historic Mountain Drive Sitting pretty at 1,185 meters, Shipka Pass cuts right through the Balkan Mountains and connects the charming Rose Valley town of Kazanlak with Gabrovo up north. But here's what makes this route truly special – it's basically Bulgaria's Mount Rushmore moment. This is where some seriously intense battles went down during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, ultimately freeing Bulgaria from Ottoman control. Heavy stuff. The southern approach is genuinely thrilling, winding through lush beech and oak forests with a jaw-dropping 17 hairpin bends that'll keep you gripping the steering wheel. Just when you think you've conquered it all, you'll spot the Freedom Monument – a stunning 31.5-meter stone tower that's basically a giant tribute to the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who refused to budge when the Ottoman army showed up. Climb up here and you get these absolutely stunning vistas spreading out across the Rose Valley, where locals have been growing those famous damask roses and producing liquid gold (aka rose oil) for centuries. Once you head down the northern side through the Uzana recreation area, you'll understand why locals rave about this road. It's honestly one of Bulgaria's best drives – the kind of route that hits every note: dramatic peaks, incredible views, and enough history to keep you thinking about it for weeks.
hardWhere does Road F734 start and end?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Iceland's Northwestern Region hides a beast of a road, F734! People say you need serious guts to tackle this bad boy, and a proper 4x4 with some serious fording chops. This unpaved track carves its way north-south, connecting to the infamous F Roads. Don't even think about bringing a rental car here! Prepare for a wild ride: steep climbs, crazy lava formations, and mud, mud, mud! It's a slanted, rocky, and narrow adventure. Heads up: This road is a summer fling only, usually open from late June to early September. Winter is a no-go. Out here, you're on your own. It's remote, and help is a long way off. No services, no cell signal – just you and the Icelandic wilderness. The real challenge? The rivers. Some are deep! The crossing requires major caution and experience. Don't even think about solo attempts, especially during rain. Water levels can spike in a heartbeat! Get local intel before you ford. We're talking equipped jeeps or bigger here. Always scout the depth and current before diving in, conditions change fast! Even smaller puddles can pop up along the way. The views are epic during the day, but at night? Risky business with limited visibility. Oh, and your insurance? Probably won't cover water damage, so river crossings are all on you! Some fords get seriously deep, so prep your rig. The riverbed is rough and unpredictable, too. Think scenic, think challenging, think F734!
extremeMirador del Gresolet
🇪🇸 Spain
# Mirador del Gresolet Tucked away in the Pre-Pyrenees of Catalonia, Spain, the Mirador del Gresolet sits pretty at 1,575 meters (5,167 feet) above sea level. This natural lookout point in the BerguedĂ region offers absolutely stunning views overlooking the Gresolet valley, and the drive up there is definitely an adventure worth taking. The route—Carretera del Mirador de Gresolet—winds through the CadĂ-MoixerĂł Natural Park and, while it's paved, it's narrow and seriously steep. Starting from the village of Saldes, you're looking at a 4.5 km climb that gains 326 meters in elevation, averaging a 7.24% grade with some sections hitting 9%. It's doable, but respect the road—especially when weather turns nasty. Winter conditions are no joke here. Heavy snowfall, avalanche risks, landslides, and patches of black ice can turn this drive treacherous in a heartbeat. Save this one for clear, dry days when you can actually enjoy the ride and soak in those incredible views without white-knuckling the steering wheel.
moderateA 5-star road to the top of Puerto de Santa Ines in Soria
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de Santa Inés: A Spanish Mountain Adventure Looking for an epic mountain drive? Head to the Puerto de Santa Inés in Soria, Spain – a stunning high-altitude pass sitting pretty at 1,755 meters (5,757 feet) in the heart of Castile and León. The summit is home to a ski resort, so you know you're going somewhere special. The SO-830 stretches 27.5 kilometers (17 miles) between Montenegro de Cameros and Vinuesa, running north-south through the dramatic Iberian System mountains. The route is paved throughout, though you'll encounter some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients up to 12%, so definitely keep that in mind if you're towing anything. The good news? This road stays open year-round, which is pretty impressive for a mountain pass. Just keep an eye on winter weather reports – when things get gnarly, authorities occasionally close it temporarily. But most of the year, you're free to tackle this scenic beauty whenever you like. The mountain scenery alone makes this drive absolutely worth adding to your road trip bucket list.