What’s the history of Alan Pass?

What’s the history of Alan Pass?

Croatia, europe

Length

25.7 km

Elevation

5 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Cruising through Lika-Senj County, Croatia? You absolutely HAVE to experience Veliki Alan pass! Nestled in the Velebit mountains, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, this road clocks in at 25.7 km (15.96 miles) of pure adrenaline.

Okay, let’s be real – this isn’t your average Sunday drive. We’re talking a seriously narrow, mostly paved road with some pretty intense drop-offs. This is the highest point of the road, reaching 1,414m (4,639ft)!

The pass has a crazy history, too! It's been used for thousands of years, even by the Romans! Then it was critical for trade, and timber transport... Even crazier, the road was built under terrible conditions by political prisoners.

Heads up: this road isn't maintained in winter, and is generally open from June until the first snow. Just because the lower slopes look clear doesn’t mean you're in the clear either – huge drifts can build up.

Important safety tip: stick to the road! This area saw some heavy fighting, and there are still minefield warning signs posted. Better safe than sorry, right?

The payoff? Jaw-dropping views! The road winds mostly through the forest, but the summit is something else. Mountain huts dot the top, along with a monument honoring the Partisans who defended Velebit. And the panorama? Think endless sea, dotted with islands – absolutely unforgettable!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Croatia
Continent
europe
Length
25.7 km
Max Elevation
5 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

What’s Beelitz Heilstätten?moderate

What’s Beelitz Heilstätten?

🇩🇪 Germany

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!

Col des Gourseshard

Col des Gourses

🇫🇷 France

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Col des Gourses, nestled in the French Alps' Rhone-Alpes region (Isère département to be exact), is calling your name. We're talking serious elevation here, a whopping 2,565m (8,415ft) above sea level. Now, this isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. The R1-2 trail, as it's known, is gravel, rocky, and seriously steep. Think all-terrain vehicle territory! This bad boy winds its way up, often stony, dusty, and just plain relentless. It's so intense, it's even used for mountain bike cross-country and the occasional heavy-duty motorized vehicle. Be warned, this route throws some seriously steep ramps at you. You'll need some muscle and a super low gear to conquer these grades. The pavement ends around 1,730m, but don't worry, the gravel is manageable even on a road bike (if you're feeling brave!), although it gets pretty dusty and remains very steep. Usually, you can tackle this beast in the summer. Though the description cuts off there, the road ends at the Col des Gourses, at an elevation of 2.565m (8,415ft). You'll drive a pretty road, the D26 to get there!

Where is Col du Val d'Ese?moderate

Where is Col du Val d'Ese?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Col du Val d'Ese! Nestled in the Corse-du-Sud department of France, high up in the heart of Corsica, this pass is a must-see. You'll find it perched between the Prunelli and Taravo valleys. At the top, there's a ski station to kick off more adventures, and you'll be at the starting point to what some say is the highest road in Corsica! The road itself? It's called D27A, and it's a paved ribbon of twists and turns—think curvy and narrow, not exactly pristine. Starting in Bastelica, you'll embark on a 15 km (9.32 miles) climb, gaining around 930 meters (3,051 feet) in elevation. That's an average gradient of 6.2%! This route provides incredible views of the Gorges de Trente-Pas, and you can visit Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette. Get ready for some epic scenery!

Sobrón Canyon road, a Spanish hidden gemmoderate

Sobrón Canyon road, a Spanish hidden gem

🇪🇸 Spain

# Sobrón Canyon Road Ready for one of Spain's most breathtaking drives? The Sobrón Canyon road is an absolute gem that winds through some seriously stunning landscape right on the border between the Basque Country and Burgos province in northwestern Spain. This fully paved route (A-2122 and BU-530) hugs the Sobrón reservoir for the entire 17.7 km (10.99 miles), carving through a dramatic gorge that the Ebro river spent centuries sculpting. The reservoir itself dates back to 1960, adding to the scenic charm of the area. Stretching from Barcina del Barco in Burgos to Puentelarrá in Álava, this route squeezes between the Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Árcena mountain ranges. Fair warning: the road gets narrow in sections, but that's part of what makes it so special. You'll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views at nearly every turn—seriously, bring your camera.