Scaling the Steep Slopes: Truskmore Mountain's Challenging 22% Gradient Road

Scaling the Steep Slopes: Truskmore Mountain's Challenging 22% Gradient Road

Ireland, europe

Length

9 km

Elevation

647 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! If you're in Ireland and craving a serious climb, you NEED to tackle Truskmore! This mountain peak, perched right on the border between Sligo and Leitrim, is a beast.

We're talking about a summit sitting pretty at 647 meters (that's 2,123 feet!). The road up to the top is paved, sure, but hold on tight – it gets super narrow. This isn't just a leisurely drive; it's a proper ascent!

Starting near Ballaghnatrillick, you've got about 9 kilometers (or 5.5 miles) of winding road ahead, climbing almost 600 meters. Don't get lulled into a false sense of security at the beginning because the last 4km will seriously test your stamina! You'll be facing gradients up to 22%... seriously steep! Heads up: the final stretch is private property, so you can't quite drive all the way to the very top.

But the views, oh, the views! Think panoramic countryside vistas stretching as far as the sea cliffs of Slieve League. Just a word of caution: parking is tight, and the wind can get fierce up there, so definitely check the weather before you go. But trust me, the challenge and the scenery are worth it.

Where is it?

Scaling the Steep Slopes: Truskmore Mountain's Challenging 22% Gradient Road is located in Ireland (europe). Coordinates: 53.9401, -8.1516

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Ireland
Continent
europe
Length
9 km
Max Elevation
647 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
53.9401, -8.1516

Related Roads in europe

Where is Los Portillinos?moderate

Where is Los Portillinos?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, so you HAVE to check out Los Portillinos, a crazy-cool mountain pass sitting way up at 6,420 feet in northern Spain! You'll find it chilling in the Castilla y LeĂłn region, specifically the northwestern part of the country. Locals also call it Alto de los Portillinos, and the road is paved, though it can get a little rough in spots. You'll be cruising through the gorgeous Fornela valley. It winds up through the Montes de LeĂłn mountain range. Word to the wise: it's usually open all year, but winter can be a bit dicey with occasional closures. If you're feeling extra adventurous, there's a gravel road that branches off east towards a peak called Mustallar. The whole pass is only 6.8 km long, running between Peranzanes and CandĂ­n, and honestly? You'll probably have the road mostly to yourself! Soak in those views!

Where are the longest tunnels in Norway?hard

Where are the longest tunnels in Norway?

🇳🇴 Norway

# Norway's Epic Network of Mountain Tunnels Norway is absolutely packed with over 1,000 road tunnels cutting through some seriously dramatic terrain—mountains, fjords, and deep valleys. We're talking about a combined length of more than 750 kilometers of underground roads! Some of these tunnels stretch an insane 24 kilometers, putting them right up there with the world's longest. Now, here's the thing: many of these tunnels are pretty narrow and unlit, and you won't find guardrails in all of them. It's a bit of an adventure, honestly. But what makes Norwegian tunnels truly wild is their unique features—some actually have roundabouts built inside them, which is genuinely surreal. Plus, they've scattered emergency lay-bys throughout for safety, which is smart considering the conditions. If you're planning to tackle these mountain passes, whether you're hitting Mælefjell or exploring Roldalsfjellet, expect a real Norwegian experience. These roads aren't your typical highway tunnel situations—they're genuine feats of engineering through some of the most spectacular (and challenging) landscape in the world. Bring your best driving skills and respect the terrain!

Where are the Gorges de la Meouge?moderate

Where are the Gorges de la Meouge?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Hautes-Alpes department of France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, ready for an adventure. You're about to hit the Gorges de la Méouge, a spectacular canyon carved by the Méouge river itself! This isn't just any drive; it's a 10km (6.21 miles) stretch of pure "balcony road" bliss. Think dramatic views as you wind along the D942, linking Le Plan and Barret-sur-Méouge. But fair warning: this baby is narrow! We're talking squeeze-past-each-other narrow, especially in the unlit tunnel. Two medium-sized cars? Forget about it. The road is entirely paved, so no need for a 4x4. But it's carved right into the mountainside. This road is not for the faint of heart; if heights make you sweat, maybe sit this one out. But if you're brave enough, the views are SO worth it. And when you need a break, the Méouge river is right there, begging you for a refreshing dip. Trust me, this one's a stunner!

The abandoned old road to Gavia Passextreme

The abandoned old road to Gavia Pass

🇮🇹 Italy

# Old Gavia Road: A Wild Alpine Adventure Tucked in Lombardy in northern Italy, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The Old Gavia Road is just 500 meters of pure adrenaline-pumping terrain that cuts through one of the Alps' most dramatic passes. Here's the deal: this shortcut gained notoriety as a treacherous climbing route before a tunnel was carved out to bypass it. The road climbs 39 meters with a steep 7.8% average gradient, but "steep" doesn't quite capture the experience. The surface? Rough gravel that would absolutely test your nerves—especially in a whiteout. And those views? Jaw-dropping cliff scenery that'll make your stomach do backflips. The sketchy part: the original guardrails have long since vanished, replaced in some spots by literal *strings*. A somber memorial marks the tragic 1954 incident when a military truck plummeted off this road, killing roughly 20 young soldiers—a sobering reminder of just how unforgiving this place is. These days, the road is officially blocked off. Too many thrill-seekers on bikes and 4x4s were pushing their luck, so authorities decided enough was enough. You can still walk the route (bicycle passage is doable but sketchy), and honestly? That walk is worth the effort to decide if you're crazy enough to actually attempt it by vehicle. **Fair warning:** Only experienced off-road drivers with proper tires and clearance should consider it. The road's been abandoned for years with zero maintenance. **The Modern Bypass:** Just 3 km from the top sits the tunnel alternative—and it's its own kind of nightmare. Dark, unlit, and pitched at a 9% grade through complete blackness. The disorientation is real. Local police love it too; they set up speed traps here regularly (often enforced at 30 km/h), and radar controls can hit your wallet hard. Take the walk first. Then decide if you're ready.