
Tikmataji Pass
Georgia, europe
N/A
2.073 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trippers, buckle up for the Tikmataji Pass! This beauty sits right on the border between Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli in southern Georgia, topping out at a cool 2,171 meters (7,122 feet).
You'll find it chilling in the Javakheti Plateau, part of the Lesser Caucasus mountains. The asphalt ribbon winds and climbs, making it one of Georgia's highest paved routes. Think hairpin turns, steep climbs, and views that'll make your jaw drop as you connect Tsalka with Ninotsminda.
Word to the wise: this isn't the road to mess with in bad weather. Snow can strike anytime, and those icy patches can be sneaky! You’ll also be sharing the landscape with the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway.
Seriously, though, make the drive. It's a lonely, gorgeous landscape of roads, grasslands, mountains, and the stunning Paravani Lake, the country's largest, not far from the pass itself. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled – there's even a 4,000-year-old burial mound hiding somewhere in the lake! Just don't expect to see it clearly - the lake is shallow, but murky. Photo ops galore up here, so don't forget your camera!
Where is it?
Tikmataji Pass is located in Georgia (europe). Coordinates: 42.6488, 43.2710
Road Details
- Country
- Georgia
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2.073 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.6488, 43.2710
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Passo della Mezzaluna?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Let's talk about the Passo della Mezzaluna, clocking in at a cool 4,753 feet above sea level. You'll find this gem tucked away in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy, practically waving hello to France. It's snuggled inside the Parco Naturale Regionale delle Alpi Liguri, so you KNOW the scenery is going to be epic. Now, here's the deal: "Mezzaluna" means "Half Moon," and this road? It's as wild as the name suggests. Forget smooth asphalt; we're talking full-on unpaved action along the Strada Provinciale 2 (SP2). At 4.78 miles, this isn't a quick jaunt, either. Be prepared for a climb of 1,634 feet, averaging out to a decently challenging gradient. A 4x4 vehicle is HIGHLY recommended—the route gets narrow, and mud can turn this beauty into a beast if it's been raining. But trust me, the views are totally worth the grit! Rondenino Pass is pure adventure.
extremeAntonio Parietti was the creator of art road masterpieces
🇪🇸 Spain
# Antonio Parietti Coll: Mallorca's Road-Building Legend Antonio Parietti Coll was a Spanish road engineer who became something of a local legend in 20th-century Mallorca. Born in Palma in 1899 and passing away there in 1979, this Italian-Mallorcan hybrid (son of an Italian father and Mallorcan mother) studied civil engineering in Madrid before returning to reshape his island's infrastructure. Back in the 1920s and 30s, Mallorca was basically untouched paradise—perfect tourism material if only people could actually *reach* the good stuff. That's where Parietti came in. As part of a broader modernization effort, he personally oversaw two legendary road projects through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains: the 1925 route to Formentor (which enabled Adam Diehl to build his iconic hotel) and the jaw-dropping 1933 road to Sa Calobra. Here's the thing—these weren't practical connections between towns. They were pure tourism plays, designed to open up two absolutely stunning natural spots that have become famous *because* of these roads. Pretty genius, really. The **Sa Calobra road** is the real showstopper. Prepare yourself for scenery that'll make your jaw drop and driving that's genuinely hair-raising. The famous Nus de sa Corbata section features a wild 270-degree hairpin turn, and there's this insanely narrow passage squeezed between two towering rock faces that'll have your heart in your throat. The **Formentor route** is equally impressive, with a stunning viewpoint called Mirador de Sa Creueta (El Colomer) where a monument honoring Parietti was erected in 1968. These days, with our stricter environmental protections, getting permission to build roads like this would be nearly impossible. But without Parietti's vision and determination, Sa Calobra and Formentor wouldn't be the bucket-list destinations they are today. That's legacy.
easyWhere is Lac de Fabrèges?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, so picture this: Lac de Fabrèges, a stunning mountain lake chilling at 1,241 meters (that's over 4,000 feet!) in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of France. You'll find this gem tucked away in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, right in the southwest of France, in the Ossau valley, practically at the doorstep of the Artouste ski resort. The road in, the D934, is completely paved, so no need to worry about your tires. This beauty winds through the Pyrenees, and while it's usually open year-round, keep an eye on the forecast during winter – it might get temporarily closed due to gnarly weather. The drive itself is around 28 kilometers (a little over 17 miles), stretching from the Spanish border up to the charming village of Laruns. Trust me, the views alone are worth the trip!
easyWhere is Passo della Costazza?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Italian Alps in the Autonomous Province of Trento, heading for Passo della Costazza. This beauty tops out at 2,181 meters (that's 7,155 feet!), tucked inside Parco Naturale Paneveggio Pale di San Martino. The views from the top? Unreal! You'll be staring at the majestic Cimon di Pala. Plus, there's a cool little shepherd's cottage, Baita Segantini, where a 19th-century painter once lived, plus a monument to Alfredo Paluselli. The climb itself is only about 2.9 km (1.8 miles) along Strada Statale 50 (SS50), but don't let the short distance fool you. You'll gain 222 meters in elevation, so it's a decent climb! Keep in mind, though: this road is totally impassable in winter, so plan your trip accordingly. And get this: to get here, you'll be driving a winding paved road from Sospirolo to Gosaldo in Belluno, passing Portella Femmina Morta. Basically, you're in for a serious treat of winding roads and breathtaking Alpine scenery!