
The Albanian Road SH40 is The Journey to Hell
Albania, europe
25.9 km
1,170 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for an unforgettable ride on SH40, nicknamed "The Journey to Hell," snaking through the wild heart of northwestern Albania! This isn't your typical Sunday drive; it's an off-the-beaten-path adventure across Shkodër and Lezhë counties.
Deep within the Albanian landscape, this road leads to the chilling Spaç Prison (Burgu i Spaçit), a former Communist-era prison and labor camp where political prisoners faced unimaginable conditions. While time hasn't been kind to the site, the crumbling walls and ripped-out fixtures tell a haunting story.
This long, unpaved road, stretching 25.9 km (16.09 miles) from Reps to Kimëz, is generally accessible in dry conditions, but a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet. Carved into the mountains, expect a rollercoaster of rough terrain and steep climbs, reaching a max elevation of 1,170m (3,838ft). Brace yourself for narrow passages, hair-raising drop-offs, dark tunnels, and hairpin turns galore. Not for the faint of heart, but if you're seeking a truly raw and unforgettable experience, this road is calling your name.
Where is it?
The Albanian Road SH40 is The Journey to Hell is located in Albania (europe). Coordinates: 41.1734, 19.8713
Road Details
- Country
- Albania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 25.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,170 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 41.1734, 19.8713
Related Roads in europe
hardA military road to Colle Bandia
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle Bandia Tucked away in Italy's northwestern corner, Colle Bandia sits at 2,429m (7,969ft) in the Province of Cuneo, perched right on the border between the Stura Valley and Maira Valley. This is seriously high-altitude terrain in the Cottian Alps of Piedmont, and you're practically touching the French border from up here. The 3.8km (2.36-mile) route runs west to east, connecting Colle Margherina to Colle di Valcavera, and it's mostly unpaved—think rough mountain cart track rather than polished highway. The good news? It's totally doable in a regular passenger car when the weather cooperates. The bad news? It's narrow. Like, *really* narrow. Meeting another vehicle head-on isn't just inconvenient; it's a genuine puzzle you'll want to avoid. The slope is pretty gentle for a mountain pass, which helps, but this is definitely a road that demands respect and patience. What makes it worthwhile are the incredible views and the fascinating military history scattered along the route. You'll spot abandoned military barracks dotting the landscape, including the Caserme della Bandia near the summit—remnants of Italy's defensive past that add real character to the drive. Skip this one if you're nervous about tight spaces, but if you're up for an adventure with a side of Alpine history and panoramic mountain vistas, Colle Bandia delivers the goods.
extremeHow long is the TF-12 road in the Canary Islands?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: Tenerife, Canary Islands. You're on the TF-12, hands down one of the most amazing cycling routes in Spain. This chill highway carves its way through the Anaga mountains like a ribbon. It's about 29 km (18 miles) of pure driving bliss. Now, some spots get a little cozy – barely enough room for two cars! And heads up, this isn't for the easily spooked. We're talking blind corners and serious drop-offs. If you're not confident reversing, maybe skip this one. It begins near San Andrés at sea level, and winds up to 871 meters before meeting the T13 road near Las Mercedes village. The climb starts gentle, but gets steeper as you hug those mountains. With over 100 turns, bring some anti-nausea meds for your passengers! Seriously, watch out for landslides and falling rocks. The pavement's smooth and there's not too much traffic, so you can soak it all in. And "soak it in" you will because you're cruising through the Rural de Anaga Park. Think lush, shaded woodlands, and roads carved into cliffs. Some say it's one of the best drives, like, *ever*. The views are mind-blowing as you snake through the Anaga Range. Seriously, have your camera ready! Just, you know, keep your eyes on the road too. If you're lucky and the weather's clear, you might even spot Gran Canaria on the horizon. Trust me, this is a road trip you won't forget.
Where is Marchkinkele - Cometto di Confine?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: You're straddling the border between Austria and Italy, practically on top of the world! We're talking about Marchkinkele - Cometto di Confine, a high mountain peak that's home to one of the highest roads around. This peak, sometimes called Cornetto di Confine, sits right on the line between South Tyrol in Italy (part of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano) and the Austrian state of Tyrol, deep inside the Tre Cime Natural Park. Up top, you'll find a mountain hut just below the summit – the perfect spot to soak in the sun and those views of the Sesto and Braies Dolomites. History buffs, take note: There are also old military constructions scattered around, remnants of the Vallo Alpino del Littorio, and the road itself was built as part of that. Now, about that road. It's not super long, but don't underestimate it! This isn't a Sunday drive. Also, heads up: being the southernmost peak of the Villgraten Mountains, and at that altitude, the road is usually snowed in during the winter, making it impassable.
moderateHow To Travel The Road F249 (Þórsmerkurvegur)
🇮🇸 Iceland
The infamous Þórsmerkurvegur (F249 Road) is a very exciting and challenging drive located in the Southern Region of Iceland. There are a lot of river crossings on the road. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country. The road is 31.9 km (19.82 miles) long, running from the Ring Road to Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. The road is better to be avoided if you don’t have a proper car, enough experience, and perfect knowledge of river crossing rules. The road starts off as paved (249) and then switches to gravel (F249). It is a rough and challenging road. It's essential to have a reliable 4-wheel-drive vehicle with significant ground clearance to navigate the challenging terrains and river crossings of F249. There are some streams, creeks, and rivers you need to cross to get to Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. For those looking to explore Iceland with a rental car, ensure you choose a vehicle suitable for F-roads to guarantee a safe journey. The final river crossing (Krossá river) is probably the biggest river crossing you may encounter on marked F-roads in Iceland. Crossing the river requires a large and a specially modified 4×4 vehicle and plenty of experience. This river can be very deep, and it also has loose gravel underneath, providing a very unstable path for vehicles. The river can be different from day to day, so there is no one way to cross it. It needs great experience with Icelandic mountain roads and a vehicle that is fit for these conditions to drive over this river. Even with a super-jeep, it’s not guaranteed you’re gonna pass. The road is only open during the summer months, usually between late June and early September. Avoid committing your vehicle to what is in front of you until you are sure of what you are getting into because things could get worse. Crossing big rivers requires a bit of experience. You will have to cross 15-20 rivers. Only well-equipped jeeps and larger vehicles are able to cross the rivers. These rivers can be dangerous. Always check the river to ensure that it's not too deep. Car rental vehicles are forbidden to go on the road. Tucked away in the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve, the moon-like road is very scenic with towering glaciers and volcanoes all around. It’s a popular tourist destination in the southern Icelandic highlands. There is absolutely so much to see on your way there that you can spend a whole day on this road. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.