The Golden Circle with a Twist
Iceland, europe
N/A
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Alright, picture this: Iceland's Kjolur Highland Route! It's this gnarly, ancient track snaking between two massive glaciers, Hofsjokull and Langjokull. We're talking off-the-beaten-path stuff, people! Forget the tour buses, this is you and Iceland, raw and real.
The landscape? Think lunar. Vast lava fields stretch out forever, broken up by steaming hot springs – like Hveravellir, this crazy oasis with a geothermal pool right in the middle of nowhere. It's not a super long drive but don't let that fool you. This route is isolated, so you'll need a solid 4x4 and some serious adventure vibes. You'll feel like you're at the edge of the world, but the views are next-level. If you're craving solitude and a deep dive into Iceland's wild heart, Kjolur is calling your name.
Related Roads in europe
hardCerro El Buitre
🇪🇸 Spain
# Cerro El Buitre Want to tackle one of Spain's highest mountain drives? Cerro El Buitre sits pretty at 2,466 meters (8,090 feet) in AlmerÃa's stunning Sierra Nevada National Park. Spoiler alert: this one's not for the faint of heart—or those with a fear of heights. Here's the real deal: you're looking at a gravel and rocky road that gets seriously gnarly. It's steep, bumpy, and tipsy in places, with a scenic detour through the narrow Congosto de Ventamillo that'll make your palms sweat. Winter? Forget about it—the road basically closes. Wet conditions turn this into a muddy nightmare that demands serious driving chops. This is absolutely a 4x4-only adventure. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your jam, keep scrolling. But if you're an experienced off-roader with nerves of steel and a vehicle that can handle it, you're in for an incredible ride through one of Andalusia's most dramatic landscapes.
moderateA very bumpy, grueling road to Colle Lauson
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle Lauson: Italy's Alpine Adventure Ready for an epic ride through the Italian Alps? Colle Lauson is calling your name. This stunning mountain pass sits at a whopping 2,497 meters (8,192 feet) in the Province of Torino and serves as the gateway to the legendary Assietta Road—one of those bucket-list drives that'll make your heart race. Nestled in northern Piemonte within the breathtaking Parco Naturale del Gran Bosco di Salbertrand, the pass sits between Mount Genevris and its namesake, offering some seriously dramatic Alpine scenery. The Strada Provinciale 173 (aka the Assietta Road) stretches an impressive 39.3 km (24.23 miles) and keeps you cruising above the 2,000-meter mark for nearly the entire journey—yeah, you'll be spending serious time in thin air. Fair warning though: this isn't a year-round playground. The road only opens from June through October, so plan your adventure accordingly. Oh, and there are some restrictions—no vehicles heavier than 3.5 tons or wider than 2 meters allowed. During peak summer (July and August), expect weekend and Wednesday closures from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here's a fun bit of history: Italian Alpine troops (the 3rd Reggimento Alpini) carved this route out in 1890 to access the Genevris observatory and military barracks. That's over a century of adventurers following in their tire tracks, and now it's your turn.
moderateDriving to Sportsmans Arms, the highest pub of Wales
🇬🇧 Wales
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the breathtaking Denbigh Moors, smack-dab in Snowdonia National Park, on the hunt for Wales' highest pub, the legendary Sportsmans Arms. This isn't just any pub crawl, people! You'll be tackling the A543, a completely paved road stretching about 16 miles (25.74km) from Denbigh to Pentrefoelas. The road winds and climbs to a whopping 1,496 feet (456m) above sea level! The Sportsmans Arms itself dates way back to the 17th century and sits near the tranquil Llyn Brenig. Get ready for incredible views, but remember you're high up on exposed moorland, so expect some potentially tricky weather. And keep an eye out for sheep – they own these roads! This road delivers an unforgettable mix of Welsh history and wild natural beauty, topped off with a pint at the highest pub in the land. Cheers to that!
moderateDriving the scenic Col de la Core in the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Core: A Scenic Pyrenees Classic Tucked away in the Ariège department of the French Pyrenees, Col de la Core sits at a breezy 1,395m (4,577ft) and connects the charming Bethmale Valley to the Salat Valley. This isn't some dramatic high-altitude monster—it's a pastoral gem that's become a Tour de France favorite for good reason. The 31km D17 route running north-south from Audressein to Seix is fully paved and takes you through some seriously gorgeous terrain. We're talking dense beech forests, green rolling hillsides, and cattle casually hanging out by the roadside. The plateau at the top opens up to stunning views of the Mont Valier massif, and you'll feel like you've stumbled onto someone's secret getaway. The whole region sits within the Regional Natural Park of the Ariège Pyrenees, which has this wonderfully lush, isolated vibe compared to the more dramatic central peaks. Now, here's the real talk: the road itself is narrow and winding with plenty of hairpin turns and sketchy stretches without guardrails. In dry conditions, it's totally manageable, but you'll want to stay sharp—especially on those blind curves where cyclists or grazing animals might appear. Autumn gets tricky when wet leaves coat the asphalt, turning those tight bends into slippery surprises. Summer fog can roll in and mess with visibility too, particularly in the forested sections near the valley. Winter brings occasional closures during heavy storms, and you'll need snow tires or chains when conditions warrant it. The sweet spot for driving? Late spring through early autumn when everything's at its best and the road is reliably open.