When was the N659 road in Holland built?
Netherlands, europe
14.5 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the N659, a totally unique road that cuts right across the Oesterdam in the Netherlands. Seriously, it's like driving on water! This isn't just any road trip; you're straddling the border between North Brabant and Zeeland, two awesome provinces in the southwest of the country.
This paved gem is about 14.5 km (9 miles) long, stretching from Steenenkruis down to Middenhof. It was built in 1986 after the dam construction, to help the construction of the dam. Expect stunning views. You'll want to take pictures, trust me. It's super popular with tourists and cyclists, especially when the weather's good.
Road Details
- Country
- Netherlands
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.5 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardPalombino Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Palombino Nestled in the stunning Carnic Alps of Italy, Passo Palombino sits at a breathtaking 2,035 meters (6,676 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass offers an exhilarating drive that'll get your adrenaline pumping—but fair warning, it's not for the faint of heart! The journey up follows Strada Val Digon, which is mostly paved and relatively straightforward... until those final two kilometers. That's where things get real. The last stretch turns into a gravel nightmare—narrow, steep, and scattered with loose rocks that'll test your nerves and your vehicle's grip. You'll definitely want to take it slow and steady on this technical finish, but the payoff? Absolutely worth it. The Carnic Alps deliver serious alpine scenery that'll make every white-knuckle moment of that final push completely worthwhile.
hardPiedra de San MartĂn is a drive worth taking
🇪🇸 Spain
# Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin: Spain and France's Hidden Pyrenean Gem Ready for one of the most thrilling drives in the Pyrenees? The Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin sits at 1,760 meters (5,774 ft) on the French-Spanish border, connecting the Pyrénées-Atlantiques in southwestern France with Navarre in northern Spain. And trust us—this isn't your typical scenic mountain pass. Spanning 52 kilometers (32 miles) between the French town of Arette and the Spanish village of Isaba, this fully paved route (D132 on the French side, NA-1370 on the Spanish side) is an absolute masterclass in dramatic driving. We're talking narrow sections, endless switchbacks, and a seriously famous pigtail turn called the *Nudo de Corbata*—a mind-bending 270-degree loop that passes under itself. It's the kind of curve that makes you laugh and white-knuckle the steering wheel simultaneously. The climb is genuinely steep: 11% max gradient on the French side, 7.4% on the Spanish side. You'll earn every meter of elevation gain. Though it might not quite rival legends like Tourmalet or Hautacam in difficulty, the jaw-dropping scenery—dramatic western Pyrenean peaks, contrasting landscapes, and endless panoramic views—absolutely matches them. The payoff? A huge parking lot at the summit and the bragging rights of conquering one of Europe's most spectacular mountain roads. Fun fact: cyclists have tackled this beast during Tour de France stages, and it's one of only five Spanish roads featuring a pigtail turn.
hardBaros Pass is an absolute must for road lovers in Greece
🇬🇷 Greece
# Baros Pass: A Wild Ride Through Greece's Mountain Heartland Ready for an adrenaline rush? Baros Pass (also called Mparos Pass) sits at a seriously impressive 1,898m (6,227ft) above sea level and claims bragging rights as one of Greece's highest mountain roads. This 24.4 km (15.16 miles) stretch connects Matsouki in the Ioannina region to Anthousa in western Trikala, cutting straight through the heart of the Pindos Mountains. The scenery? Absolutely jaw-dropping. Picture yourself winding through dramatic canyons, towering steep slopes, and thick forests that'll make you forget you're on a main road. It's the kind of drive that makes you understand why this route has been a major transit corridor for literally centuries—even serving as the Greek-Turkish border until 1912. But here's where things get spicy. This isn't your Sunday cruise. The road throws everything at you: hairpin turns that demand serious respect, sections without guardrails, and gradients hitting a brutal 18% in places. Narrow passages with dizzying drop-offs will keep your knuckles white on the steering wheel. The asphalt itself is relatively new—the whole route was finally fully paved in 2013—but that doesn't make it any less challenging. Winter drivers, take note: from October through May, snow makes this pass practically impassable. Even in good weather, you've got to watch for rockfall cascading down from those steep slopes above. This isn't a road for the faint of heart, but if you're after an unforgettable mountain experience, Baros Pass delivers.
hardThe brutally steep (23%) paved road to Bola del Mundo
🇪🇸 Spain
# Bola del Mundo: Spain's Brutal Mountain Challenge Tucked on the border between Madrid and Segovia provinces, Bola del Mundo (literally "Ball of the World") sits pretty at 2,265 meters elevation. But getting to this mountain peak? That's where things get gnarly. The 3.1km road up from Puerto de Navacerrada might not sound long, but don't let that fool you. This fully paved route—roughed-up concrete that was laid down in 2009—is wickedly steep, regularly hitting grades of 23% that'll have your heart pounding. The average climb sits around 11.64%, but it's those brutal ramps that get you: expect a punishing 16% wall just 300 meters in, another nasty one around the 1km mark, and then the real killer—a jaw-dropping 23% segment just 500 meters from the finish. You'll gain 361 meters of elevation in that short stretch, which is no joke. This isn't your casual Sunday drive. The road is typically closed to regular traffic due to its narrowness and extreme steepness, though it opens up during summer months. Winter? Forget about it—snow closures are common. The Vuelta a España caught on to this beast in 2010, and it's been humbling cyclists ever since. Perched at the summit of the western Long Cuerda Larga range in the Sierra de Guadarrama, the peak is bristling with broadcast antennas. Even Alberto Contador, a legend who's won every Grand Tour, called it "very difficult and dangerous," saying it's so brutal he rarely attempts it despite living nearby.