
Vale Street is one of the steepest roads in England
England, europe
0.2 km
130 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Totterdown, a quirky suburb of Bristol in South West England, and you stumble upon Vale Street. This isn't your average residential street – it's a beast! They say it's the steepest residential road in England, and honestly, it feels almost vertical at the bottom.
This fully paved climb is only 0.2km long, but packs in a punch with a 17m elevation gain. We're talking an average gradient of 22 percent, but get this – it maxes out at a crazy 25.6 percent! Seriously, cars park sideways to avoid rolling away, and when it's icy, locals chain their cars to lampposts.
Lined with terraced houses and steps for pedestrians, this 427 ft stretch from Park Street to Balmain Street is a favorite with cyclists and anyone looking for a lung-busting challenge. With a slope comparable to an advanced intermediate ski run, Vale Street is an adventure you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
Vale Street is one of the steepest roads in England is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 53.3524, -2.8474
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 0.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 130 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 53.3524, -2.8474
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is Collada Verda?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Collada Verda in the Girona province of Catalonia, Spain! This mountain pass clocks in at a cool 1,611m (5,285ft) above sea level. Nestled in the Pyrenees, specifically in the Ripollès area of northeastern Spain, it's the link between the Camprodon and Ribes valleys. History buffs, take note: this road started life as a route to an antimony mine (closed in 1923). You can even spot the abandoned Refugi Pla de Satlla mountain hut near the top! Now, for the nitty-gritty: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The entire road to the summit is unpaved, and super narrow. Think you can squeeze past another car? Think again! It's called Camí de la Collada Verda, and a 4x4 isn't just recommended—it's essential. Stretching 13.9km (8.63 miles) through the Caballera mountains from Pardines to Llanars (east to west), the views are guaranteed to be epic. Get ready for a wild ride!
hardAn otherworldly road to Peña de Francia in Salamanca
🇪🇸 Spain
Peña de Francia is a stunning mountain peak towering at 1,708m (5,603ft) in Salamanca province, Spain. Nestled in the Sierra de Francia range south of the city, this dramatic summit is crowned with a beautiful sanctuary called Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, plus some radio towers perched at the top. If you're planning a visit, fair warning: winter transforms this place into an inaccessible wonderland of snow, so spring through fall is your best bet. The journey up via the SA-203 road is an adventure in itself. Starting from Paso de los Lobos (1,500m), you've got just 3.6 km (2.23 miles) to climb, gaining 203 meters of elevation with an average gradient of 5.63%. Sounds manageable, right? Well, here's the catch—while the road is paved, it's seen better days. Think potholes, gravel sections, and a surface that'll keep you on your toes. The narrow lanes get seriously steep in places, hitting up to 9.2% gradient, and you'll navigate five hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. Take your time, watch your speed, and enjoy the incredible views as you spiral your way up to one of Spain's most dramatic summits.
hardA Wild Unpaved Road to Golzentipp in the Austrian Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
# Golzentipp: Alpine Views Worth the Rough Ride Perched at 2,236m (7,335ft) in Tyrol, Austria, Golzentipp is a stunning high mountain peak that sits just a stone's throw from the Italian border in the southern part of the country. Here's the real talk: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road to the summit is completely unpaved and seriously steep—you'll absolutely need a 4x4 vehicle to tackle it. Plus, it's a chairlift access trail that's closed to regular passenger cars and basically becomes impassable once winter rolls around. Starting from the town of Rals, you're looking at an 8.6 km (5.34 miles) climb with 719m of elevation gain. That works out to an average gradient of 8.36%, so yeah, it's definitely a workout for your vehicle. But here's why it's totally worth the bumpy ride: Golzentipp is wedged perfectly between the Lienz Dolomites and the Carnic Alps, and the views are absolutely mind-blowing. The summit is crowned with an impressive cross, and on a clear day, you can see forever—the Lienz Dolomites, Hohe Tauern, the Carnic Ridge, the Sesto Dolomites, and even the Großglockner in the distance. If you're into alpine scenery and don't mind a challenging drive, this peak delivers the kind of panoramic views that make the rough journey completely worthwhile.
hardWhere is Collado El Lobo?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up (or, you know, clip in, since cars are a no-go!) because we're heading to Collado El Lobo in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Andalusia, Spain. This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's an *experience*. We're talking about some seriously high elevation, some of the highest roads *anywhere* in Europe and *definitely* the highest in Spain. The "road" (more like the Camino de los Franceses) stretches for about 23 kilometers (almost 15 miles) of pure, unadulterated mountain climbing goodness, leading to a tiny, charming town. Get ready for incredible views of alpine lakes that will blow your mind! Now, for the reality check: this road is NO JOKE. We’re talking totally impassable during winter. Avalanches, insane snowfall, and landslides? Yep, they're all part of the charm… or the challenge! This is why only bicycles are permitted here, to safeguard the pristine wilderness of the national park. So ditch the four wheels, grab your bike, and get ready for an unforgettable ride on this ghost highway!