Prophet Elias Church
Greece, europe
3.1 km
1,743 m
hard
Year-round
# Prophet Elias Church Road
Nestled in the rugged western reaches of Karditsa, Greece, this mountain chapel sits at a seriously impressive 1,743 meters (5,718 feet) above sea level—making it one of the country's highest accessible roads. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you're driving straight into the clouds.
Hugging the foot of the Pindus mountains, this route is definitely not for the faint of heart. We're talking steep, narrow pavement that's seen better days—think weathered asphalt that'll test your driving skills. The good news? It stays open year-round, though winter weather might force brief closures when conditions get gnarly.
The actual climb is delightfully compact at just 3.1 kilometers, but don't let that fool you. You'll gain 207 meters of elevation while navigating three sharp hairpin turns that'll keep you engaged with some seriously rewarding views. The average gradient sits around 6.67%—nothing too extreme, but paired with the narrow road and those tight bends, it demands respect and attention.
Start from the Epar.Od. Karditsas-Argitheas road and prepare yourself for a genuinely thrilling ascent. This is quintessential mountain driving in Greece—beautiful, challenging, and absolutely unforgettable.
Where is it?
Prophet Elias Church is located in Greece (europe). Coordinates: 39.3862, 19.9191
Road Details
- Country
- Greece
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,743 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 39.3862, 19.9191
Related Roads in europe
easyDriving the abandoned streets of Doel
🌍 Belgium
Ever wanted to wander through a real-life ghost town? Then head to Doel, a fascinatingly abandoned village in East Flanders, Belgium, practically spitting distance from the Dutch border! Think just a short jaunt from Antwerp, the ever-expanding port that's kinda...gobbling up smaller towns. Doel is steeped in history, over 700 years worth, but it's facing demolition thanks to the port's relentless growth along the Scheldt river. Word to the wise: officially, you're not supposed to poke around inside the buildings, but…let's just say some people manage. Once buzzing with over a thousand residents, Doel's streets are now eerily deserted, save for a handful of die-hards refusing to leave. Expect a serious dose of creepiness as you wander through this silent, empty place. Just a heads up: you can't drive directly into Doel unless you're a resident.
moderateAurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route is a road with breathtaking views
🇳🇴 Norway
# Aurlandsfjellet: Norway's Jaw-Dropping Mountain Drive Ready for one of Norway's most spectacular road trips? Road 243 winds through Vestland county as a National Tourist Route, stretching 47 kilometers (29 miles) from Aurlandsvangen to Lærdal. Opened back in 1967, this legendary drive has since been complemented by the Lærdalstunnelen—the world's longest road tunnel at a massive 24.5 kilometers. ## The Challenge Ahead Fair warning: this isn't your average leisurely cruise. You'll navigate 20 hairpin turns on roads that get seriously narrow—think single-car-wide stretches that demand respect. Buses over 12.4 meters? They're not welcome here. Keep your vehicle in low gear and go easy on the brakes, especially on the steeper sections. Traffic can get thick heading toward Aurlandsfjorden, so stay alert. ## Winter? Not Here This road earns its nickname "Snow Road" honestly. The entire upper section shuts down completely during winter once you hit the 1,305-meter (4,281-foot) summit. You can drive year-round from Aurlandsvangen up to the Stegastein viewpoint, but beyond that? Forget it from November through spring. ## Why It's Worth Every Hairpin Turn The real magic? Once you crest that barren, desolate plateau of snow and rock, the views on the descent toward Aurland are absolutely mind-blowing. The landscape shifts dramatically from sparse alpine terrain to lush fjord scenery. And then there's Stegastein—an architectural marvel of timber and steel that juts 30 meters out into thin air, 650 meters above the fjord. It's the kind of viewpoint that stops you in your tracks. Waterfalls, forests, and cascading fjord views await at numerous pull-offs along the way. This is quintessential Norwegian scenery at its finest.
hardWhere is Port de Rat?
🌍 Andorra
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between France and Andorra, high up in the Pyrenees Mountains at 2,372 meters (7,782 feet). That's Port de Rat, one of Andorra's highest drives! You’ll find it connecting Ordino in Andorra with the Ariège department in France. The road itself? Mostly gravel, but don't let that scare you! Most cars can handle it when it's dry, though a 4x4 is always a good idea. Just keep in mind this adventure is best saved for summer. Heads up: on the French side, the road doesn’t quite make it to the top. From the Andorran side it’s known as CS-380 road. Plus, if you're feeling extra adventurous at the summit, a rugged 4x4 track climbs even higher to Refugi de Cabús, a mountain restaurant at 2,568m (8,425ft). The climb is short but punchy. Starting from the Arcalis parking lot, it's only 2.7 km (1.67 miles) to the top, but you'll be gaining 148 meters in elevation with some sections hitting a steep 9% grade. The scenery is absolutely stunning, making every bump and turn worthwhile.
hardObservatorio de Sierra Nevada
🇪🇸 Spain
# Observatorio de Sierra Nevada Tucked away in the mountains of Granada, Andalusia, the Observatorio de Sierra Nevada sits at a breathtaking 2,885 meters (9,465 feet) above sea level. This is serious altitude territory—the kind of place where the air gets thin and the views get infinite. Getting up there is an adventure in itself. The road is pure gravel and rock, often tippy and bumpy, and it's basically off-limits from October through June unless conditions are perfect. When Mother Nature says no, she really means it. The steep grades, unpredictable weather, and extreme elevation make this route genuinely challenging and not for the faint-hearted. Once you make it to the top (if you dare), you'll find an impressive setup operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía. The main building houses two seriously powerful optical telescopes—a 1.50-meter and a 0.90-meter—plus various other astronomical equipment and research facilities. Good news for stargazers: the observatory actually welcomes visitors during the summer months of July and August, so you don't have to be an astronomer to experience this incredible place. Fair warning though—this is legitimately one of Spain's highest mountain roads, so come prepared for thin air, dramatic weather shifts, and a genuinely thrilling drive.