What is the Josephina Road?
Croatia, europe
22.9 km
701 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Lika-Senj County, Croatia, winding your way up to Vratnik Pass. This isn't just any road trip; you're climbing to 700 meters (that's 2,300 feet!) above sea level. The Josephina Road, as it's known, is a total throwback, dating back to Roman times! Can you believe it?
The whole stretch from Senj (right on the Adriatic coast) to Žuta Lokva is about 22.9 km (or 14.22 miles), so it’s not a super long haul, but it's packed with views. You'll be snaking through the Dinaric Alps, with killer scenery of the Adriatic islands.
Word of warning, though: keep an eye out for crumbling ruins at the summit. The abandoned Motel & Restaurant Vratnik is pretty eerie. The concrete is falling apart and there's broken glass, so be careful if you poke around. Apparently, it used to be THE spot for travelers, boasting the most incredible views, but now, it’s just a spooky relic.
Road Details
- Country
- Croatia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 22.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 701 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Viderjoch in the Alps?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, picture this: you're carving your way up Viderjoch, a seriously epic pass straddling the Austrian-Swiss border. We're talking almost 9,000 feet high! You kick things off in Ischgl, Austria, winding your way up 8.5 miles towards Compatsch, a charming Swiss village. But hold on tight, this ain't your average Sunday drive! While most of the road is paved, the final stretch throws some serious gravel your way. And get this: some of those climbs hit a brutal 30% gradient! Yep, you read that right. This ascent is a leg-burner, gaining over 4,400 feet in elevation. Average grade? Almost 10%! The Swiss side isn't a cakewalk either — super steep all the way down. Heads up: snow usually shuts this bad boy down from late October to late June/early July. But when it's open, the views from Viderjoch are insane. And if you're feeling ambitious, hike up to Greitspitze for even more breathtaking panoramas. Trust me, the scenery is worth the challenge.
moderateWhere are the Gorges du Guil?
🇫🇷 France
Cruising through the Gorges du Guil in the Hautes-Alpes, France, is an absolute must. This stunning canyon road, also known as Gorges du Queyras or Combe du Queyras, is nestled in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, a real gem within the Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras. Built between 1905 and 1911, this 19.7 km (12.24 miles) stretch of the D902 runs from Guillestre to Arvieux, offering jaw-dropping views at every turn. The road is carved by the Guil River, a haven for white-water sports enthusiasts. Expect a 25-30 minute drive (without stops!) as you wind through the gorge, a gateway to the Queyras region. Be prepared for a thrilling ride! The road can be narrow, with a mix of short rock tunnels and exposed sections guarded only by low walls. Keep an eye out for potential rock slides, a known hazard in the area. You'll pass through four tunnels: Tunnel de la Maison du Roy, Tunnel de Roches Brunes, the 320m-long Tunnel de Roches Violettes, and Tunnel de Montgauvie, both of which were rebuilt after the 1948 floods. This "balcony road" is a truly unforgettable experience.
moderateHow to get to the summit of Kronplatz-Plan de Corones in South Tyrol?
🇮🇹 Italy
# Kronplatz-Plan de Corones: A Mountain Pass Adventure Nestled in South Tyrol's stunning Pusteria valley, Kronplatz-Plan de Corones sits pretty at 2,275m (7,464ft) and offers one seriously spectacular driving experience. This is the kind of road that'll have you gripping the wheel with a huge grin on your face. Here's what makes it special: the climb comes in two wildly different flavors. First up is the paved Strada Furcia section—a relatively civilized 7.6km (4.72 miles) that starts off gently before things get spicy. By the end of this asphalt stretch, you're staring down slopes up to 18%, so your brakes better be in top shape. Then it gets *really* fun. The second half? That's 5.3km (3.29 miles) of pure gravel mayhem. We're talking relentless hairpin turns, brutal grades between 21-24%, and scenery so breathtaking you'll want to pull over just to soak it all in. This isn't your Sunday cruise—it's proper mountain biking territory on four wheels. If you're thinking about tackling it from St. Vigil in Enneberg, you're looking at a 12.9km (8.01 miles) slog with 1,073 meters of elevation gain. That averages out to 8.3% gradient, which sounds reasonable until you hit those gravel sections and remember what "brutal" really means. Oh, and the Giro d'Italia has featured this beast, so you know you're dealing with serious mountain pass credentials.
extremeLindisfarne Causeway is the road that floods twice each day
🇬🇧 England
# The Causeway to Holy Island: England's Tidal Road Adventure Tucked in Northumberland's far northeast corner, just a stone's throw from Scotland, lies Lindisfarne—also known as the Holy Island. This charming tidal island sits about 2 miles off the coast in the North Sea, and it's absolutely worth the trip. Dating back to AD 635, when St. Aidan established a monastery here to spread Christianity, the island has been captivating pilgrims and visitors ever since. Today, it welcomes around 650,000 visitors annually, drawn to its historic castle, priory ruins, and stunning coastal views. The magic—and the challenge—is getting there. The mile-long Lindisfarne Causeway, built in the 1950s, is the modern gateway to the island. But here's the catch: it vanishes twice daily under the North Sea. Before this causeway was built, pilgrims walked the Pilgrims Way footpath (marked by poles) for 1,300 years. Today, when the tide rolls in, up to 4 meters of water covers the road completely. **What You Need to Know:** The causeway closes two hours before high tide and stays closed for three hours after. Seriously—check the tide tables before you go. Times change daily, so don't wing it. Once you're on the island, you're committed to staying until the causeway reopens, typically giving you a 7-hour window to explore. The road itself is deceptively tricky. That sandbar gets slippery fast, especially with seaweed coating it at low tide. Drive carefully, ease on the brakes, and skip the sudden movements. In fog, use your headlights and fog lights. Motorcyclists, this isn't your playground. **The Real Talk:** Every year, well-meaning visitors ignore the warnings and get stranded. Raised safety boxes dot the causeway for emergencies, and the RNLI regularly rescues cars—though they're usually totaled afterward. Don't be that person. Check the notice boards, respect the tide tables, and if you feel uncertain, call 999 immediately. The payoff? It's genuinely one of England's best-kept secrets. Watching the causeway emerge from the sea as the tide retreats is spectacular, and the island's history and scenery make it unforgettable.