What is the road to Pfaffenbichl like?
Austria, europe
N/A
2,303 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the Austrian Tyrol, in the stunning Zillertal Valley, ready to tackle Pfaffenbichl. This isn't your average Sunday drive! We're talking about a serious mountain peak sitting pretty at 2,303 meters (that's 7,555 feet for you imperial folks).
The "road" – and I use that term loosely – is basically a maintenance track carved into the mountain to service the ski area. This bad boy is only snow-free for a blink of an eye in summer. Get ready for an intense climb straight up the mountainside because this route wastes no time gaining altitude, treating you to some seriously breathtaking, if a little vertigo-inducing, views of the Tux Alps.
So, what's the deal? You'll be gaining a whopping 835 meters over a relatively short distance after leaving the mountain resort. Brace yourself for an average gradient of almost 12%, with sections that crank all the way up to a butt-clenching 30%! Loose stones and gravel mean you’ll be fighting for traction at every turn, especially on those hairpin bends. You *absolutely* need a 4WD with high clearance for this one. The track is narrow, exposed, and often blasted by strong winds. You might even meet some maintenance vehicles! And just because it's summer doesn't mean you're safe from snow – always check the forecast. Late August is often the sweet spot to find it completely snow-free. Trust me, the views from the top are worth the white-knuckle ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,303 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Tiarms Pass?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Okay, picture this: Tiarms Pass, or as the locals call it, "Cuolm de Vi," a super-secret, high-altitude hideaway in central Switzerland. It's perched way up above the famous Oberalp Pass, like its cooler, more rugged cousin. Where exactly are we talking? Think Glarus Alps, right on the border between Graubünden and Uri. You'll get insane panoramic views of the Surselva valley. Everyone flocks to the Oberalp, but this is a hidden gem for those who like their adventures a little rougher. Speaking of rough, the road to the top is seriously a primitive gravel track. It's one of the steepest short climbs around, and I mean steep! This loose gravel path demands some serious traction. Word on the street is that the final stretch is "brutally steep," hitting around 18%! Oh, and keep an eye out near the top for a gate across the track – it's for livestock, but remember motorized access is super restricted in these parts. If you have authorization to drive, 4x4 is a must, but honestly, most people tackle this one on mountain bikes or on foot to protect the environment. The climb is short – just 1.1 km from the Oberalp Pass summit – but don't let that fool you. It's intense! You can only access this beauty from around June to October. Fun fact: the start of the climb is near the Oberalp Lighthouse, the highest lighthouse in the world, which marks the source of the Rhine. How cool is that?
hardPian della Mussa
🇮🇹 Italy
# Pian della Mussa Tucked away in Turin's Province, the charming mountain town of Pian della Mussa sits pretty at 1,847 meters (6,059 feet) above sea level in Piedmont's stunning landscape. Getting up there? You'll be taking Strada Provinciale 1 delle Valli di Lanzo — and trust us, this road means business. It's fully paved, which is the good news. The bad news? Some stretches hit a jaw-dropping 17.1% gradient that'll have your car (and your nerves) working overtime. If you're feeling adventurous, there's also a wild, unpaved route heading toward Val Viola Pass that'll give you that true off-the-beaten-path experience.
moderateWhere is Picón del Fraile?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: You're in northern Spain, right on the border of Cantabria and Castile and León, smack-dab in the Collados del Asón Natural Park in the Soba Valley. You're headed up Picón del Fraile, a mountain that tops out at 1,590 meters (5,216 feet). Heads up: there's a military base, Escuadrón de Vigilancia Aérea nº12 (EVA 12), and a bunch of radars chilling at the summit since '97. The road, also known as Las Motas, is all paved, but get ready for some serious twists and turns! The last stretch is off-limits to personal cars, though. From Portillo de Hoz, where you hop off the BU-572, it’s a 4.5 km (2.79 miles) climb. Don't let the short distance fool you; this climb is STEEP, hitting a max gradient of 17% in spots! You'll gain 308 meters in elevation with an average gradient of 6.84%. Weather-wise, be prepared for anything! This area's known for being super harsh and totally unpredictable. Think crazy snowstorms that can block the road for weeks – we're talking snow walls over 20 meters high! Sometimes the only way to get up there is by helicopter. So, yeah, pack accordingly!
moderateIs the M90 the steepest section of motorway in the UK?
🇬🇧 Scotland
Cruising through central Scotland? You've GOT to check out the M90 Motorway. This old-timer – the oldest motorway in Scotland, in fact – stretches 36 miles (58 km) from Edinburgh up to Perth. It's a major artery, connecting these two cities and originally bypassing charming towns like Kelty, Kinross, and Bridge of Earn. Built over a couple of decades, it’s mostly a dual two-lane motorway and now even extends south to Kirkliston after the Queensferry Crossing was built. Keep an eye out for some cool engineering along the way! Heads up at Craigend: the motorway splits! One section heads west towards the A9, and the other goes north towards the A90. But here’s the kicker: that western stretch has a seriously steep downhill gradient (5.65%!). The uphill section isn't a walk in the park either at 4.57%. Apparently, this can be a bit hairy if you get a bunch of lorries heading to Broxden. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!