When was Rallarvegen built?
Norway, europe
82 km
1,343 m
extreme
Year-round
Rallarvegen, nestled in the heart of Norway, is legendary – arguably *the* best cycling road in the country! Picture yourself pedaling alongside the Hardangervidda Plateau on this 82 km (51-mile) beauty. Built way back between 1902 and 1904 as a construction road for the Bergenbanen railway, it's now a super popular route from Haugastøl through Finse, Hallingskeid, Myrdal, and all the way down to Flåm.
Heads up: This isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget about taking your car unless you have serious off-road skills and a vehicle to match (think special permission required!). This road wasn’t really designed for vehicles, and it can get pretty dicey.
Towering up to 1,343m (4,406ft) in Aurland County, Rallarvegen is totally unpaved, so expect some steep climbs and switchbacks. Keep in mind: you can only tackle this adventure from mid-July to September. The rest of the year, it’s buried under snow! The views, though? Absolutely worth it. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery.
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 82 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,343 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Qafa e Prushit?
🇦🇱 Albania
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Qafa e Prushit! This international mountain pass straddles the border between Albania and Kosovo, and sits at a seriously lofty elevation. You'll find it in the northeastern corner of Albania, meeting up with southwestern Kosovo. Heads up – this is where you'll cross the border, so have your documents ready. The road itself? Let's just say it's an experience! We're talking about 57.4 km (35.6 miles) of mostly unpaved road stretching from Kukës in Albania, up north to Gjakova in Kosovo. Be prepared for a bumpy ride, but oh-so-worth it for the incredible views!
moderateSa Calobra
🇪🇸 Spain
# Sa Calobra: Mallorca's Most Iconic Switchback If you've scrolled through travel Instagram, you've probably seen *that* photo of the impossibly tight road loop on Mallorca's northwest coast. Welcome to Sa Calobra—and yes, it's even more spectacular in person. This legendary route plunges from the Coll dels Reis pass (682 meters) down to sea level in just 9.4 kilometers of pure adrenaline. The showstopper? A jaw-dropping 270-degree hairpin turn where the road actually loops under itself like a snake eating its tail. Built way back in 1932 by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, it's still one of Europe's most photographed road features, and you'll understand why the moment you see it. The descent cuts through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the views are absolutely unreal—think dramatic limestone cliffs dropping straight into turquoise Mediterranean waters. With twelve major hairpins and gradients reaching 7%, this is serious cyclist territory. The annual Sa Calobra cycling event proves it: thousands of riders flock here every year to conquer the brutal climb back up. At the bottom, you'll find a charming cove where the Torrent de Pareis gorge—one of Mallorca's most impressive natural wonders—meets the sea. The gorge is totally hikeable through short tunnels carved right into the rock, and the beach is perfect for a refreshing swim after your drive. Fair warning: this road gets absolutely rammed with traffic in summer. Go early morning if you want to actually enjoy the experience without bumper-to-bumper madness.
hardWhere is Nota Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Nestled in the Italian province of , you'll find the Nota Pass, clocking in at a lofty 3,963 feet. Your journey begins near the , not far from the stunning region in northern Italy. So, heads up: the road up is a mix. The section from to the junction is closed and unpaved, while the stretch between and the junction is paved, but don't bring your ! Think , it's that kind of adventure. Expect super narrow passages and gradients hitting . Word on the street is, this pass is closed to cars and motorbikes , likely due to some tiny, slightly sketchy tunnels. Some say it's open, some say it's closed, so approach with caution! The scenery? Absolutely epic.
extremeWhere is Pista de Ruego?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers! We're heading to Pista de Ruego, a mind-blowing track snaking its way up to the abandoned Minas de Liena, a former mining community chilling at a whopping 8,464 feet in the Spanish Pyrenees. This isn't your average Sunday drive. Starting from the A-138 highway, you'll cover about 10.3 miles, but prepare for a serious climb! The average gradient is pretty intense, and you'll hit sections with an 18% grade that will test your nerves. Parts of the road are paved, but don't let that fool you. Beyond Laspuña, things get REAL narrow – barely enough room for two cars. And hold on tight because there are seriously massive drop-offs that'll make your palms sweat. The last bit is super rocky, with loose stones and hairpin turns galore. If you're scared of heights, seriously, this isn't the road for you. You'll be cruising through the breathtaking Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. This track winds through absolutely stunning scenery, but you’ll need a 4x4 with high clearance to handle it. Some sections are closed to regular cars, so a beefy vehicle is a must. Word of warning: at this altitude, conditions can change in a heartbeat. Snow, fog, cold, and rain are common, even in summer. In fact, the road is usually impassable from November to June. The payoff? Unbelievable views of the majestic Monte Perdido mountain. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!