What’s Beelitz Heilstätten?
Germany, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Brandenburg region of Germany, Potsdam-Mittelmark district to be exact. You're on the L-88 near Fichtenwalde, and you take a turn onto a paved road that leads you straight to Beelitz Heilstätten. This place is seriously cool—an old sanatorium complex from the early 1900s, originally built for tuberculosis patients.
Parts of it have been fixed up or turned into something new, but it still has this incredible historic vibe, perfect for snapping some photos and poking around. More than 100,000 patients were treated here over the first 25 years. The sanatorium was used as a military hospital during both World Wars, and after WWII the Russians used it, making it one of the largest outside of Russia. The last patients left in 1994.
Now, you can actually visit and wander around without getting into trouble. People say the long history gives the place a kinda spooky feel, but hey, that just adds to the adventure, right? Just remember it's no longer fully abandoned, so you won't be completely alone as you explore!
Road Details
- Country
- Germany
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateIf You Love to Drive, You’ll Love the Road to Caha Pass in Ireland
🌍 Ireland
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the N71, straddling the border between Cork and Kerry in southwest Ireland. You're on the Caha Pass, a seriously cool mountain road that climbs to 320 meters (that's 1,049 feet!). Locals call it "The Tunnels," and for good reason. This beauty was built way back in 1842—they called it The New Line back then. The whole thing is paved, stretching for about 27 kilometers (or almost 17 miles) from Glengarriff up to Kenmare. You'll probably want to budget more than the 25-30 minutes it takes to drive it straight through, because, trust me, you'll be stopping for photos. The views are unreal—pure, raw Irish wilderness. Just a heads up, it gets pretty popular during the summer months. Now, the road itself? It's carved right into the Caha Mountains, so expect some serious curves and a narrow path. It gets a little steep too, hitting a 9% gradient in places. And on the Kerry side, prepare for multiple tunnels blasted right through the rock. Sometimes the fog rolls in, adding an extra layer of awesome (and maybe a little bit of spookiness!). It's an unforgettable drive.
extremeWhere is Geamăna?
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, picture this: you're heading to Geamăna, a totally eerie and abandoned village nestled in Romania. This place has a seriously tragic backstory involving a copper mine that swallowed the whole town! Geamăna *was* a pretty village out west in Romania. But then, BAM, the government decided to flood it back in the day to create a waste pond for a massive copper mine nearby. Can you imagine? People were forced to leave their homes as toxic sludge filled the valley. The only thing left sticking out of the lake of pollution is the old church tower – it's a truly bizarre and haunting sight. So, is it safe? Honestly, not really. You're talking about a toxic lake with all sorts of nasty chemicals in it. The ground can be unstable, and there are risks of landslides. If you DO go, be super careful: don't touch the water, wear good shoes, and definitely avoid it after rain. It's a good idea to tell someone where you're going and maybe even find a guide who knows the area. Now, the road to Geamăna... it's an adventure in itself. About 7km long, unpaved and loose gravel that can make you lose control easily. In winter, you can forget it; it's usually impassable.
moderateRoute 70
🌍 Denmark
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along Route 70 in the Faroe Islands, and BAM! Instant postcard-worthy views. This road is a stunner, hugging the dramatic coastline for almost 16 kilometers. You'll start near Klaksvík, a busy fishing town on Borðoy island, and wind your way to Viðareiði, hands down one of the prettiest villages you'll ever see. Seriously, it's the northernmost spot on the islands, perched on Viðoy. Now, heads up! You'll be navigating a couple of those classic Faroese one-lane tunnels—the Hvannasundstunnilin (2.1 km) and the Árnafjarðartunnilin (1.7 km). Keep your eyes peeled and be ready to yield—it's all part of the adventure!
hardWhere is Col des Champs?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Col des Champs, a seriously epic mountain pass chilling at 2,092m (that's 6,863ft!) in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. You'll find it straddling the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes departments, right in the heart of the Mercantour National Park. The road, known as the D78 (south side) and Route Départementale 2 (north), is fully paved, so no gravel worries there! But hold on, this isn't a smooth cruise. Expect a wild ride with tons of hairpin turns and a surface that's... well, let's just say "character-building". Good news: It's generally open year-round. Bad news: being high in the Alps means winter weather can occasionally shut things down. So, how long is this adventure? Clocking in at 27.7 km (17 miles), it stretches from Saint-Martin-d'Entraunes (Alpes-Maritimes) to the charming Colmars or Colmars-les-Alpes (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence). And get ready for a workout! This road gets STEEP – we're talking a maximum gradient of 12% in places. Climbing from Saint-Martin-d'Entraunes is a 16.26 km slog, gaining 1,052 meters at an average of 6.5%. The Colmars side? A shorter but still challenging 12 km ascent, with an 842-meter gain and a 7% average gradient. Prepare for some stunning views and bragging rights!