The paved road to the Special Astrophysical Observatory of Russia

The paved road to the Special Astrophysical Observatory of Russia

Russia, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,098 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the R285, a winding ribbon of asphalt clinging to the northern side of the Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia. You're headed up, way up, to 2,098 meters (that's 6,883 feet!) above sea level. This road is steep, no joke, but totally worth it. You're near Mt. Pastukhova, so the views are already incredible, but the real prize is at the top: the Special Astrophysical Observatory. This place is home to the BTA-6 telescope, the biggest optical telescope in all of Eurasia! Built back in '76, it's a monument to human curiosity and a gateway to the cosmos. Get ready for an unforgettable drive!

Where is it?

The paved road to the Special Astrophysical Observatory of Russia is located in Russia (europe). Coordinates: 59.8272, 35.1694

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Russia
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,098 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
59.8272, 35.1694

Related Roads in europe

Where is Alto de la Farrapona?moderate

Where is Alto de la Farrapona?

🇪🇸 Spain

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Alto de la Farrapona! This high mountain pass, soaring to impressive heights, straddles the border between Asturias and León in northwestern Spain. The road is paved, and it's famous for being a stage finish in the Vuelta a España. How long are we talking? Roughly 16km from Lago de la Cueva. But don't let the distance fool you – the last 6km averages around a challenging 9% grade, with some seriously steep sections topping out at 14%! Keep in mind that we are in the heart of a natural park, so winter conditions often shut this beauty down due to snow. But if you catch it right, the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking. Prepare to be blown away by the panoramic vistas, truly unforgettable!

Travel Guide to the Top of Col de Pause in the Pyreneesextreme

Travel Guide to the Top of Col de Pause in the Pyrenees

🇫🇷 France

# Col de Pause: A Pyrenees Adventure Nestled in the Ariège department of southwestern France, Col de Pause sits at 1,542m (5,059ft) in the heart of the Pyrenees, just a stone's throw from the Spanish border and the Port d'Aulà crossing. This is where things get seriously fun. The Route Forestière du Port d'Aula is a completely unpaved mountain road that's genuinely considered one of the Pyrenees' most spectacular drives—and for good reason. Built back in the 1970s, this beast is not for the faint of heart. We're talking super narrow (literally no room for two cars to pass), relentless hairpin turns, and some seriously steep sections that'll make your palms sweat. If you're tackling it from Couflens, buckle up for a 9 km (5.5 miles) white-knuckle climb. You'll gain 834 meters of elevation, which works out to an average gradient of 9.26%—but some sections hit a punishing 14%. This isn't your typical scenic cruise; it's a proper mountain challenge that demands respect, focus, and a vehicle that can handle some serious terrain. The views, though? Absolutely worth every hairpin turn.

Is the road to Mount Kyllini unpaved?hard

Is the road to Mount Kyllini unpaved?

🇬🇷 Greece

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Hidden in the western part of Corinthia, Greece, lies Mount Kyllini, a beast of a peak at 2,376m (7,795ft). This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about one of the highest, gnarliest roads in the country! Forget pavement; this road to the top (also known as Mount Cyllene) is all about the raw, untamed earth. Think hairpin turns that'll make your head spin, seriously narrow sections, and drop-offs that'll test your courage. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential. Word to the wise: this road usually sleeps from October to June, buried under winter's wrath. The high altitude means crazy winds and weather that can change on a dime. But is it worth it? Absolutely! The Peloponnesus region is a 4x4 paradise. And the views from the summit? Unreal. You'll see pretty much all of northeastern Peloponnesus, including parts of Achaia, Chelmos, the Gulf of Corinth, Corinthia, and even a slice of northeastern Arcadia. This epic route clocks in at just 11.8 km (7.33 miles), starting from Ziria. Get ready for an off-road experience you won't soon forget!

Where is Col du Télégraphe?moderate

Where is Col du Télégraphe?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: Col du Télégraphe, a mountain pass chilling at 1,566m (5,138ft) in the French Alps. You'll find it in the Savoie department as part of the Route des Grandes Alpes, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The road? Totally paved, and get ready for some serious curves – we're talking 14 hairpin turns! It's known as D902. The name comes from a cool fortress at the top, Fort du Télégraphe, which once used a semaphore telegraph back in 1884. You can even visit the fort in the summer. The whole climb stretches 17.5 km (10.87 miles) from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Valloire. And hey, it also hooks you up to the . At the summit, you'll spot radio and TV towers – can't miss 'em, big cement structures. Good news, though: this road is usually open year-round. Now, heads up, it's steep! Expect gradients up to 10%. The Col du Télégraphe has been a Tour de France regular. Starting from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, it's an 11.8 km climb, gaining 856 meters at an average of 7.3%. Coming from Valloire? It's a shorter 4.8 km, gaining 165 meters at a chill 3.4% average.