
Travelling Through Dursey Road, the Only Road on Dursey Island
Ireland, europe
6.5 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Dursey Island, way out on the Beara Peninsula in Ireland, just calling your name. It's a sliver of land off the west coast of County Cork, separated from the mainland by the Dursey Sound. This island is only 6.5km long and 1.5km wide, but packs a visual punch with incredible views of the West Cork coastline.
Trust me, you *want* to go. This quiet island, home to just a few locals, no shops, no pubs, no restaurants, just pure, untouched Ireland. The only way on? Ireland's only cable car! Keep your eyes peeled – dolphins and whales love hanging out in these waters, and the seabirds and butterflies are amazing. Summer is the best time to visit, perfect for hiking and soaking up the scenery and laid back island vibes.
Now, about the road... Forget smooth tarmac. The road is totally unpaved - think rugged gravel, steep climbs, and narrow stretches, running 5.3km (3.29 miles) east to west from Clonmore to Ardatedaun, hugging the southern coast of the island. Get ready for an adventure!
Where is it?
Travelling Through Dursey Road, the Only Road on Dursey Island is located in Ireland (europe). Coordinates: 53.1199, -8.6460
Road Details
- Country
- Ireland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6.5 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 53.1199, -8.6460
Related Roads in europe
hardPuerto de Piqueras
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de Piqueras: Spain's Thrilling Alpine Challenge Perched at 1,710 meters (5,610 feet) in La Rioja, northern Spain, Puerto de Piqueras is a mountain pass that'll definitely get your heart racing. The road up is completely paved, but don't let that fool you—it's incredibly steep with what feels like an endless parade of hairpin turns that keep you on your toes the entire way up. There's actually a tunnel that bypasses the climb now, but where's the fun in that if you're after an adrenaline rush? Here's the catch: this pass sits high enough that winter snowfall isn't just possible—it's pretty much guaranteed. When the snow rolls in, the road can shut down completely until crews clear it out. So if you're planning a visit, definitely check conditions before heading up. The dramatic elevation and winding asphalt make this one of those drives you'll remember for ages, especially if you catch it on a clear day when the views are absolutely stunning.
extremeGaislachkoglbahn: The Thrilling James Bond Mountain Road
🇦🇹 Austria
# Gaislachkoglbahn: A Bond-Worthy Alpine Adventure Want to drive where James Bond himself did? The Gaislachkoglbahn peak sits at a jaw-dropping 3,018 m (9,901 ft) in Austria's Ötztal valley, right near the Italian border in Tyrol. This isn't just any mountain road—it's the actual filming location for the pulse-pounding action scenes in Spectre, and it claims the title of one of Europe's highest roads. The 5.9 km (3.66-mile) climb from the iconic Ötztal Glacier Road is no joke. You'll gain 960 m of elevation with an average gradient of 16.27%—and some sections hit a brutal 25%. The road starts out paved until the middle station at 2,174 m, then transforms into a gnarly, rocky single-track that'll test your driving skills big time. This upper section is seriously steep and covered in rough rock, so traction is everything. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. You're surrounded by over 250 stunning three-thousand-metre peaks in the Weisskamm group. At the summit, grab a bite at the mountaintop restaurant and soak in those expansive Alpine views. Fair warning: this road is completely closed from October through June, so plan your visit for the summer months only. When the 007 crew filmed here in 2014/15, they had 500 people and all the movie magic money could buy. You'll have just your vehicle and your nerve—but honestly? That might be even better.
extremeWhere is Beklemeto Pass?
🌍 Bulgaria
Okay, buckle up for the Beklemeto Pass in Bulgaria! This high-altitude gem sits at 1,525m (5,003ft) straddling the Lovech and Plovdiv provinces. Known as Troyan Pass, you'll find it smack-dab in the Balkan Mountains. Road 35, a fully paved beauty that traces the ancient Roman Via Trayana, is your route. It's a key north-south connector in Bulgaria. This epic 48.4 km (30.07 miles) journey winds from Karnare to Troyan, packing a punch with seriously steep sections – up to 11.2% grade! Get ready to conquer over 30 hairpin turns. The views are killer. The name "Beklemeto" hints at its past as a 'guarded' spot, likely with a watchtower back in the day. Up top, there's even a ski resort. And if you're feeling adventurous, a bumpy unpaved detour leads to a towering 35m concrete monument honoring Bulgarian liberation. You'll even be driving the highest road in the Balkan Mountains near the towering Botev Peak. Get your camera ready!
moderatePointe du Dzonfié
🇫🇷 France
Pointe du Dzonfié is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.185m (7,168ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. The road is impassable in winters. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. Near the summit is a mountain hut known as Refuge du Nant du Beurre. 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.