The breathtaking road to Costila Peak in the Bucegi Mountains
Romania, europe
8.2 km
2,578 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Vârful Coștila in Romania's Muntenia region – we're heading high into the Prahova County mountains! This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking about one of the highest points you can reach by road in the whole country, topping out at 2,485 meters (8,152 feet)!
You'll find this gem nestled in the heart of the Bucegi Natural Park, and you absolutely can't miss the massive television tower, Releul Coștila, perched right at the summit. This tower is a beast, adding another 84 meters to the height, making it the tallest artificial structure in Romania!
Now, getting there is part of the adventure. Forget your sports car because the 8.2 km (5.09 miles) of DJ713 is totally unpaved and seriously steep, gaining 560 meters from where the paved TransBucegi ends. You're looking at an average gradient of 6.82%, so a 4WD is essential.
Heads up, this road is usually closed from late October until late June or early July due to snow. In the past, the radio and television relay was guarded by a military unit. Today, access to the relay building is restricted by a fence around the construction.
Where is it?
The breathtaking road to Costila Peak in the Bucegi Mountains is located in Romania (europe). Coordinates: 45.5207, 24.8740
Road Details
- Country
- Romania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,578 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.5207, 24.8740
Related Roads in europe
moderateLimni Gölü
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, wanderlusters, listen up! I've got a spot for you that's seriously off the beaten path: Limni Gölü in Turkey's Black Sea region. Picture this: a shimmering alpine lake perched way up high in the mountains. We're talking 2,407 meters (almost 8,000 feet!) of elevation, people. Now, getting there is part of the adventure. The road's gravel, so buckle up for a bumpy but beautiful ride. You'll definitely want a 4x4 for this one. Word to the wise: this road is typically closed from October to June due to snow, so plan your trip accordingly! But trust me, the panoramic views and the serene beauty of the lake are SO worth the trek. Get ready for stunning scenery!
extremeCol des Frettes
🇫🇷 France
Col des Frettes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.386m (7,828ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The road is extreme. It’s gravel and follows the unpaved ski-lift service roads. The surface is rocky with lots of slippery gravel, but never ridiculously steep. With such a high summit altitude the road can be closed anytime due to snowfalls. Pic: Fred Marchadier. http://www.savoie-mont-blanc.com/offre/fiche/panoramic-col-de-la-chal/717564 The Legendary Climb to Avoriaz: A Tour de France Icon in the Alps 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.
hardMonte Giovo Pass is a 5-star road in the Italian Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo di Monte Giovo – also called Jaufenpass – is a stunning high-altitude mountain pass sitting at 2,094m (6,870ft) in Italy's South Tyrol region. Tucked into the northern Alps, it's the northernmost alpine pass that stays entirely within Italian borders, connecting the Eisacktal valley on the east with the Passeiertal valley to the west. The 59.9 km (37.22 miles) stretch of fully paved road – known as Strada Statale 44 – runs between Vipiteno and Merano and is absolutely not for the faint of heart. Expect plenty of tight curves, hairpin turns, and narrow sections that'll keep your hands firmly on the wheel. Gradients hit a punishing 10% in places, so take it slow and steady. But here's the thing – it's totally worth it. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and the drive itself is genuinely rewarding once you conquer it. Good news? The road stays mostly accessible year-round, so you can tackle it in most seasons. At the summit, there's a cozy log cabin where you can grab refreshments, catch your breath, and pick up some souvenirs to remember the achievement. Fair warning though – this pass is legendary among drivers and for good reason. It's even part of the famous Giro d'Italia race route, so you'll be following in the tire tracks of professional cyclists. That should tell you everything you need to know about what you're getting into!
moderateWhy is Elma Dağı (Mount Elma) famous?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever heard of Elma Dağı (Mount Elma) in Turkey's Ankara Province? This peak clocks in at a cool 1,857m (6,092ft) and boasts a seriously interesting history. Back in the day, during the Cold War, this mountain was home to a NATO radio station. Now abandoned since the 70s, you can still spot the old antennas from the ACE High network – a relic of a bygone era. The road to the top? It was built way back in 1964/1965 to get the NATO station up and running. Starting near Kömürcü, it's a smooth 8.5 km (5.28 miles) of paved road in pretty great condition. Don't get me wrong, though – it's a climb! You'll gain 542 meters in elevation, making for an average gradient of around 6.37%. But hey, that just means the views from the top are even sweeter, right? Central Anatolia scenery, history, and a good climb – Elma Dağı has it all!