
The breathtaking road to Ennisháls Pass
Iceland, europe
N/A
280 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Ennisháls Pass in western Iceland is calling your name! This gravel road, also known as Road 68, isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking seriously steep inclines – some spots clock in at a whopping 12%!
But trust me, the reward is worth it. This pass connects the charming villages of Borðeyri and Hólmavík, and once you reach that 280m (918ft) summit, prepare to be blown away. Picture this: panoramic views of Broddanes and the stunning Húnaflói Bay stretching out before you. It's a view you won't soon forget. Just take it slow and steady, and soak it all in!
Where is it?
The breathtaking road to Ennisháls Pass is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 65.3609, -17.8675
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 280 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 65.3609, -17.8675
Related Roads in europe
moderateBlack Hill, an epic road in the North Pennine
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the Cumbria/Northumberland border in northeast England, heading for Black Hill. This isn't your average Sunday drive; this mountain pass hits a cool 607m (that's almost 2,000ft!) and ranks among the highest roads in the UK. Tucked away in the North Pennines, this paved road to the top is pretty darn steep, and exposed to the elements. Think wide-open moorland and a landscape that's beautifully bleak. The climb kicks off from the A689, and it's a short but sweet 1.28km (about 0.8 miles) to the top, gaining 83 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 6.48%, so expect a bit of a workout for your engine. But trust me, those panoramic views across the Pennines are totally worth it!
extremeWhere is Col de la Llose?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure awaits in the French Pyrenees! We're talking about Col de la Llose, perched way up high in the Occitanie region at a cool 6,122 feet. You'll find it snuggled in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, right in southern France. This spot's got it all: a ski area called Site de ski de fonds du Capcir and a restaurant at the summit, plus a little dirt road that ventures even higher. The D89 road itself? Paved, but get ready for a wild ride! It's 5.77 miles of twisty, turny goodness (hello, hairpin turns!) from La Llagonne to Ayguatébia-Talau. Be warned: it gets *narrow* in sections, so crossing paths with another car can be a bit of a squeeze. The climb from La Llagonne is just under 2 miles, but don't underestimate it! It's got some steep bits, averaging around a 5.57% grade, as it climbs about 550 feet. The views are incredible!
hardHow to get to Pizzini Refuge in Lombardy
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio Pizzini: A High-Alpine Adventure in Italy Perched at a serious 2,706m (8,877ft) in Italy's Lombardy region, Rifugio Pizzini is the real deal for mountain enthusiasts. Located in the Province of Sondrio up in the Cedec Valley, this is legitimately one of Italy's highest accessible refuges. And if you're feeling extra adventurous? There's a gnarly little 4x4 trail beyond the hut that climbs even further up to Laghi di Cedèc at 2,833m (9,294ft). The refuge's story is pretty epic. The original Capanna Cedeh was built back in 1887-88 but got destroyed during World War I. After being restored in 1924, it was rebuilt in 1926 and renamed Rifugio Pizzini in honor of Luigi E. Pizzini, a respected Milanese mountaineer. His friends were so dedicated to his memory that they donated the whole place to the Milan CAI section. It's been continuously improved over the decades—the Milan group restored and expanded it again in 1948, added an auxiliary building called Zeledria in 1963, and later renovations honored General Carlo Frattola and his son Augusto. Fast forward to 2002, and the refuge got a complete modern overhaul. Now you're looking at comfortable rooms, some with private bathrooms and hot showers, plus proper central heating. Definitely not roughing it. Here's the catch: the road up is 100% unpaved, super narrow, and properly steep—4x4 only, no exceptions. Starting from I Forni, it's 4.4 km (2.73 miles) with 520m of elevation gain and an 11.81% average gradient. This isn't a beginner route. The refuge sits within the stunning Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio and is typically open mid-June through mid-September, with access limited to authorized vehicles only.
extremeMonte San Lorenzo
🇪🇸 Spain
# Monte San Lorenzo: Spain's Heart-Pounding Mountain Challenge Perched at 2,137 meters (7,011 feet) in La Rioja's stunning Sierra de la Demanda range, Monte San Lorenzo is calling—but only for the brave. This gravel track starts from the Valdezcaray mountain resort and basically serves as a chairlift access road that'll test every ounce of your driving confidence. Let's be real: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. The road has earned its terrifying reputation fair and square. Vertigo sufferers should absolutely sit this one out—we're talking hundreds of meters of sheer, unguarded drops that'll make your palms sweat. Landslide worries? Yeah, those are legitimate concerns here. The real villain? Unpredictable winter weather. Snowstorms and blizzards can strike out of nowhere, turning an already challenging route into a white-knuckle nightmare. Conditions deteriorate fast in wet or dark weather (and sometimes both), leaving virtually zero room for mistakes. That's why the road gets completely closed from November through March most years—Mother Nature doesn't mess around up here. If you're seriously considering this drive, pick your timing carefully. Summer months offer your best shot, and honestly? Even then, treat it with serious respect. This is pure adrenaline-junkie territory, where one wrong move has real consequences. But for those with genuine skills and nerves of steel, it's an unforgettable Spanish mountain adventure.