What’s Bardenas Reales?
Spain, europe
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moderate
Year-round
Okay, so you HAVE to check out the Bardenas Reales in northern Spain! It's this crazy, unique desert landscape that feels totally out of place in Europe.
Think semi-desert badlands with bizarre clay and sandstone formations sculpted by wind and water. Seriously, the erosion is unreal! You'll see these crazy structures called "cabezos" that stick out like something from another planet.
You can totally drive through it! One popular route is the Carcastillo-Figarol road (El Paso), which then hooks up with the track that runs alongside the military shooting range. Yep, you read that right. Another option is the earth track that starts near the petrol station on the edge of Carcastillo and circles the firing range.
Just be warned: the area is pretty remote, and vegetation is super sparse. Most of the streams are dry too. Even though it looks barren, it's actually got a surprising amount of natural diversity!
Oh, and did I mention they filmed parts of "The World Is Not Enough" here? Talk about an epic backdrop! You can easily spend a whole day cruising around on the many tracks, but definitely bring water and supplies. It’s wild out there!
Related Roads in europe
hardHow to drive the dangerous Ibar Highway?
🌍 Serbia
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers, because the Ibarska Magistrala, or Ibar Highway, is a wild ride connecting Belgrade to western Serbia and Montenegro! Locals sometimes call it the "Black Highway," which should give you a hint about what's in store. Following the path of the Ibar River, this 297 km (185 mile) stretch takes you from Belgrade all the way to the Špiljani border with Montenegro. It's part of the big-league European routes E65, E80, and E763, so expect some company along the way. While the whole route is paved, don't expect smooth sailing everywhere. The parts near cities are generally okay, but things can get a little rough in the countryside, especially after some bad weather rolls through. Trust me, you'll want to stick to daytime driving here – night trips are not recommended due to the tricky road conditions. Most of the highway is single-lane and it gets seriously crowded. In the southern section, you'll have the beautiful Ibar River as your constant companion. Now, for a word of caution: this road sees its fair share of accidents every year. Sadly, between 2017 and 2019, there were over 1,700 accidents, with some resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. So, stay alert, drive carefully, and enjoy the (sometimes hair-raising) adventure!
hardParafulmine Refuge
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in Lombardy, Italy, ready for an adventure in the Orobic Prealps! We're heading up to Rifugio Parafulmine, a mountain hut chilling at 1,543 meters (that's over 5,000 feet!). The road starts off smooth enough – about 7 km of pavement, with a few concrete sections thrown in. But hold on, things get interesting! The last 4 km or so are unpaved, rocky, and pretty darn narrow in places. Expect some steep climbs! The whole trek from Gandino is about 11.2 km, and you'll gain a hefty 1,002 meters in elevation along the way. That's an average gradient of almost 9%! Keep in mind, winter usually makes this route impassable. But when it's open, the views are incredible!
moderateCol di Val Bighera: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🇮🇹 Italy
# Col di Val Bighera Nestled high in the Italian Alps at 2,120 meters (6,955 feet), Col di Val Bighera is a serious climb that rewards adventurous drivers. Also known as Carette Col di Val Bighera, this mountain pass is accessed exclusively from the west via a well-maintained asphalt road that winds its way upward for about 8 kilometers. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely cruise. You'll be tackling gradients that average around 15%, with sections pushing up to 20% steepness. It's the kind of road that'll test your driving skills and your vehicle's gears. But here's the thing—the road is properly paved and in good condition, so if you're up for the challenge, it's totally doable. The real quirk? There's no asphalt descent on the other side. So you'll need to commit to either turning around or finding an alternative route down. It's a one-way ticket up, which actually adds to the adventure—you get to experience this dramatic climb knowing you're heading into something genuinely unique. If you're chasing Alpine thrills and don't mind a steep, narrow road with serious elevation gain, Col di Val Bighera delivers. Just come prepared for the intensity.
hardWhere is Veliki Štuoc?
🌍 Montenegro
Veliki Štuoc is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,093m (6,866ft) above sea level, located in Žabljak Municipality, in Montenegro. Where is Veliki Štuoc? The peak is located in the northwestern part of the country, within the Durmitor National Park. Is the road to Veliki Štuoc paved? Set high in the Durmitor mountain range, the road to the summit is mostly paved and very narrow. The last 1.8km is totally unpaved. How long is the road to Veliki Štuoc? The road to the summit is 12.5km (7.76 miles) long, starting at Žabljak, the highest situated Balkan town. It’s a very steep drive, hitting a 14% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Žabljak, the elevation gain is 741 meters. The average gradient is 5.92%. Is Veliki Štuoc worth it? The summit offers stunning views of the Tara canyon, the wide plateau village of Tepča, and the cliffs of the Ćurevac peak. This road is usually impassable in winters. Driving the nerve wracking coastal road from Kotor to Mrčevac Sedlo Pass is the highest paved mountain road of Montenegro 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.