Selge Road

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Where is Cesare Branca Refuge?

🇮🇹 Italy

Cesare Branca al Lago delle Rosole is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of above sea level, located in the Where is Cesare Branca Refuge? The hut is located in the , in the northern part of the country, in the . It’s located a few meters away from the scenic Why is it called Cesare Branca Refuge? , a Milanese lawyer and mountaineer. When was Cesare Branca Refuge built? thanks to a donation from , who wished to honor the memory of her brother , a well-known and respected Milanese mountaineer of the time. The project was designed by engineer Cesare De Micheli Milan section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) , the refuge was inaugurated in . Over the years, it was expanded several times to improve functionality and accommodate more visitors. , the refuge was complemented by the Rifugio Genesio Martinelli , a long-time caretaker of the Branca refuge, in memory of his brother. A few years later, in , the Milan section oversaw the construction of a modern and functional expansion of Rifugio Branca, further enhancing its facilities for mountaineers and hikers. How long is the road to Cesare Branca Refuge? The road to the refuge is totally unpaved, very narrow, and steep long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is , and the average gradient is Is the road to Cesare Branca Refuge open? Parco Nazionale dello , the road is usually open from mid-June through mid-September only to authorized vehicles The Italian Road That Stops Just Short of the Ultimate Danger Zone (Mount Vesuvius, Italy) Discover Italy’s Essence with Every Hertz Car Hire Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

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A steep unpaved road to Kreuzjoch

🇩🇪 Germany

# Kreuzjoch: A High-Alpine Adventure in Bavaria Ready to experience one of Germany's most exclusive mountain roads? Kreuzjoch sits pretty at 1,719 meters (5,640 feet) above sea level in the stunning Wetterstein mountain range of southern Bavaria. It's seriously one of Germany's highest accessible peaks, and the route up there is absolutely worth the effort. Fair warning though: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is gravel and wonderfully narrow—think winding mountain pass vibes. And here's the thing: private vehicles aren't allowed, so you'll need to plan accordingly. Whether you're hiking, taking a shuttle, or arriving by authorized transport, getting to the top is all part of the adventure. The payoff? Incredible alpine scenery and the satisfaction of reaching one of Bavaria's most dramatic summits. If you're serious about tackling Germany's highest roads and want an authentic mountain experience without the commercial tourist crowds, Kreuzjoch delivers.

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What are the 10 most haunted roads of Spain?

🇪🇸 Spain

# Spain's Most Mysterious Roads: Where Legend Meets the Pavement Spain's road network has a reputation for something you won't find in any official guide—stretches of highway that drivers swear they'll avoid after dark. These aren't just dangerous roads; they're the stuff of genuine folklore, where travelers report spine-tingling encounters that have inspired local legends for generations. Ghost stories on remote roads are nothing new. Every continent has them, and they all follow a similar pattern: they happen at night, they happen in isolated places, and they tap into something primal about driving alone through darkness. Spain has plenty of these "cursed" stretches, and some have genuinely eerie histories to back them up. **Cuesta de las Doblas** holds a grim distinction. This 2.3-kilometer section of the old N-431 highway (between kilometers 568-570) has been plagued by tragedy since 1937. Over a hundred deaths have occurred here, thanks largely to a poorly designed curve that's claimed countless lives. Naturally, the legends followed. Dozens of drivers report seeing a girl in a red jacket hitchhiking frantically just before the bend—a classic phantom of a tragic location. The twisted roads through **Las Hurdes** in Extremadura are another hotbed of paranormal claims. Beyond the typical ghostly women in old-fashioned clothes, locals speak of wailing phantom babies, cemetery spirits, and red-eyed creatures chasing vehicles through the desolate landscape. The isolation here definitely helps the creepy atmosphere. The **N-340 at Sant Carles de la Rápita** (Tarragona) near the Los Alfaques campsite is haunted by a real tragedy. On July 11, 1978, a propylene tanker exploded here, killing 243 people in a horrific fireball. Since then, countless drivers have reported seeing expressionless figures—men, women, children—standing motionless on the roadside, staring blankly as traffic passes. Are they ghosts or just the power of suggestion in a place marked by unimaginable suffering? **AS-17 in Valparaíso** (Extremadura) doesn't get as much attention, but it generates plenty of reports. Drivers describe a dark-haired woman with a vacant stare who suddenly appears from behind roadside signs, looking disoriented. This area has been considered cursed since the 11th century, but the modern legend dates to the 1950s when it became associated with a First Communion girl who vanished there, supposedly thrown from a horse-drawn carriage by a pack of wolves. Today, motorists claim to see her ghost in her white dress, rosary in hand. Near **kilometer 174 of the A-5**, the tale grows even older. The story goes back centuries to when a girl died mysteriously during her First Communion journey—wolves spooked the carriage, the horse bolted, and she disappeared. When similar tragedies struck in the 1950s at the same location, Valparaíso officially earned its reputation as cursed ground. One unnamed stretch has earned the grim nickname **"the death stretch"**—just 2 kilometers long with a particularly deadly kilometer 32 marked by crosses and flowers. Despite good visibility and solid asphalt, accidents cluster inexplicably here. Some blame monotony; others point to the ghost of a 17-year-old girl hit and killed here decades ago, her body supposedly dumped in a nearby lagoon. Red stains on the pavement persist, unexplained by any weathering or cleaning. The **Engaña tunnel entrance** in Cantabria carries dark history. Built by political prisoners during Franco's regime, hundreds died constructing this rail link. The tunnel was abandoned incomplete, but the legends never were. Drivers regularly report apparitions and mysterious sounds emanating from the entrance. For 19 years, a stretch connecting **Arahal, Utrera, Montellano, and the Morón air base** has generated bizarre reports: children in school uniforms crossing hand-in-hand before vanishing, a glowing woman's face in the roadway, humanoid figures, and UFOs. The nearby presence of Spain's largest and most secretive air force base certainly fuels the mystery. **N-240 in Aragon's Jacetania region** has its own phantom: a pilgrim eternally wandering the Camino de Santiago, complete with staff and water gourd, who allegedly throws himself at passing cars. This area has been steeped in legend for centuries—Holy Grail sightings, divine apparitions, the whole mystical package. Finally, the **ruins of La Mussara** in Catalonia held the title of most haunted Catalan road until Los Alfaques claimed it. The setting's almost deliberately creepy: permanent fog, relentless wind, complete isolation. It's hosted satanic ritual stories, disappearances, time anomalies, and strange creature encounters for centuries. Intriguingly, actual electromagnetic interference has been scientifically measured here. Whether these phenomena are ghosts, legends, or psychological effects of desolate roads at night remains deliciously uncertain. One thing's sure: Spain's supernatural roads continue to inspire wonder—and plenty of nervous drivers.

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A Perilous Journey: The Frozen Road from Dudinka to Norilsk Above the Arctic Circle

🌍 Russia

Hey thrill-seekers, ever dreamt of road-tripping above the Arctic Circle? Buckle up for the wild ride from Dudinka to Norilsk in Russia! This 88km (55-mile) stretch plunges you into raw, untamed tundra, connecting Dudinka, a riverside capital, with Norilsk—a mining hub famous (or infamous!) for churning out metals like palladium, nickel, and copper. Norilsk is the planet's most northerly city. Don't let the fact that it's paved fool you. This isn't your average highway. The asphalt's laid right over permafrost, so expect a bumpy, uneven ride. Plus, you’ll be cruising alongside a gas pipeline, giving off serious industrial vibes. The weather? Let’s just say Mother Nature throws curveballs. Even in summer, prepare for sudden temperature drops and winter-like conditions. Snow dominates the landscape for much of the year, and blizzards can turn even a short drive into an adventure. During the three months of total darkness, headlights are your best friend. Oh, and did I mention winter temps can plummet below -30°C? Keep in mind, getting into Norilsk and Dudinka isn't as simple as hopping in the car. Since the Russian Security Service tightly controls access, foreigners need to apply for special permission well in advance. Only a couple hundred foreigners make it here each year.

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Where is Cesare Branca Refuge?

A steep unpaved road to Kreuzjoch

What are the 10 most haunted roads of Spain?

A Perilous Journey: The Frozen Road from Dudinka to Norilsk Above the Arctic Circle