Travelling through the unpaved road from Corovode to Piskove
Albania, europe
40 km
956 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a truly off-the-beaten-path experience in Albania, the Çorovodë-Piskovë Road is calling your name! We're talking about a wild, unpaved gravel track snaking through the southern Albanian mountains.
Stretching for about 40km between the villages of Çorovodë (Berat County) and Piskovë (Gjirokastër County), this isn't a quick jaunt. Budget at least 3 hours to conquer it. A 4x4 isn't just recommended—it's a must!
Picture this: a narrow, exposed road carved into steep, gravelly slopes and rocky faces. Hairpin curves and heart-stopping drop-offs will keep you on your toes. Pray you don't meet anyone coming the other way in certain stretches! This route is best tackled in dry conditions, as rain can turn sections muddy and treacherous.
But the views? Totally worth it! The road climbs to a breathtaking 956m above sea level in the Fir of Hotova National Park. Plus, the Osum River has carved out some incredible canyons along the way, perfect for a refreshing dip. Trust me, you'll want to stop often and soak it all in!
Where is it?
Travelling through the unpaved road from Corovode to Piskove is located in Albania (europe). Coordinates: 41.1333, 20.2513
Road Details
- Country
- Albania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 40 km
- Max Elevation
- 956 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 41.1333, 20.2513
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Col del Sommeiller?
🇫🇷 France
Col del Sommeiller: an absolute stunner straddling the French-Italian border! This isn't just any mountain pass; at almost 10,000 feet, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in Europe. Starting near Bardonecchia, Italy, you're in for a 16-mile climb that's pure eye candy. Think hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, picturesque alpine dams, and a turquoise lake shimmering at the summit that's begging for a photo. The views? Unreal. Now, a heads-up: only the first few miles are paved, and not well, at that! After Rochemolles, the rest is a rocky, unpaved adventure that's best tackled with a 4x4. Expect some steep sections—grades can hit almost 20%! Keep in mind that this road is usually snowed in from late October to late June/early July. It usually doesn't get cleared until late July. Also, there can be partial closures on Thursdays between July and September. But trust me, if you're up for a challenge and crave epic scenery, Col del Sommeiller is an unforgettable ride.
extremeA 7-Day Trip Through the South’s Most Challenging Routes
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: ditching London and heading west on the B4632. Forget the soul-crushing motorways—this old A-road between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon is a proper driving experience. Think smooth turns and views for days as you cruise the Cotswold Hills. Day two? Get lost in the cute, but super-narrow, stone-walled lanes. Seriously, know your car's width! Next up: Devon and Cornwall! Time for the A39 Atlantic Highway. The star of the show? Porlock Hill, with a crazy 25% gradient. Yep, the steepest A-road in England, and a true test for your brakes and engine. Careful on the way down to Lynmouth—engine braking is your friend! Day four is all about the ridiculously tight lanes of North Devon. We're talking hedgerows taller than your car and reversing skills that will make you a legend. Island time! Hop over to the Isle of Wight and hit the A3055 Military Road. This is where you race against nature. It's perched right on the edge of the cliffs, fighting a losing battle against the sea. Epic coastal views with the English Channel on one side, green hills on the other. Heads up: it closes sometimes when the road decides to take a swim. Back on the mainland, aim for the A285 between Petworth and Chichester. This one's a bit spicy. It's got sneaky bends and hidden dips that have earned it a reputation. Stay focused—it throws you from fast straights into tricky, tree-lined curves without warning! Last day! Skip the M25 and take the backroads through the North Downs toward London. Box Hill has some fun climbs, and the Surrey Hills are packed with narrow, steep roads to keep you entertained until you hit the city. Oh, and definitely give your car a good once-over after all that hard braking and gear-shifting! This trip isn't about tea rooms and castles, it's about tackling England's gnarly roads. From the insane gradients of Exmoor to the crumbling cliffs of the Isle of Wight, you'll get a new appreciation for the country's wild side. Get prepped, check the weather, and respect those hills!
hardThe breathtaking road to Col de Caron in the Massif de la Vanoise
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Caron Nestled in the French Alps at a jaw-dropping 2,996 meters (9,829 feet), Col de Caron is basically as high as roads get in Europe. You'll find this beast tucked away in Orelle, a small commune in the Savoie department, sitting pretty in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Here's where it gets wild: the entire 28.3-kilometer (17.58-mile) route is unpaved. This is the Val Thorens-Orelle road—a ski-lift service road that connects the upscale Val Thorens ski resort with the village of Orelle. The drive features a staggering 55 hairpin turns, and yes, they're all numbered and signed so you can tick them off like some kind of alpine bingo. Fair warning: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. You'll need a 4x4 to even attempt it. The road clings to the side of the Massif de la Vanoise range, often running directly beneath the chairlift itself. The average gradient of 10.4% gets genuinely gnarly around the corners, where you're looking at 17-18% inclines that'll make your vehicle (and your nerves) work overtime. But the payoff? Absolutely stunning panoramic views of thousands of summits stretching across France, Switzerland, and Italy. It's the kind of scenery that makes every hairpin turn feel worth it. Only accessible during the summer months—realistically July and August—this remote alpine challenge is for serious drivers seeking something truly unforgettable.
hardWhere is the Kehlsteinhaus?
🇩🇪 Germany
Okay, picture this: You're in Bavaria, Germany, ready to tackle the legendary Kehlsteinstrasse, leading to the infamous Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus). This isn't just any road; it's a 6.5km (4 mile) climb carved into the Obersalzberg Mountain in the Berchtesgaden Alps. Forget leisurely drives, this one's intense! We're talking gradients reaching a whopping 24% as you ascend 736 meters (2,415 feet). The road itself is about 4 meters (13ft) wide. Brace yourself for five tunnels, mind-blowing views, and some serious engineering marvel, blasted in only 13 months! Here's the catch: you can't actually *drive* all the way up in your own car. Since 1952, the road has been closed to private vehicles. But don't worry, a special mountain bus whisks you up most of the way to a parking lot at 1,685m (5,528ft). Then, you take an elevator through the mountain to reach the Kehlsteinhaus. Keep in mind, this adventure is seasonal. The Eagle's Nest is typically open from mid-May to October, so plan accordingly! And every spring, crews meticulously clean the rock faces to prevent any rockfall accidents, making it a safe ride. Get ready for some seriously stunning views!