Where does the The Broomway start and end?

Where does the The Broomway start and end?

England, europe

Length

9.7 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Ever heard of The Broomway in Essex, UK? This isn't your average coastal stroll. We're talking about a seriously historic – and seriously risky – 6-mile path across the Maplin Sands. We're talking ancient, like Roman-times ancient, connecting the mainland near Southend to Foulness Island.

Here's the deal: you can ONLY walk it when the tide's WAY out. Otherwise? It's underwater. Seriously, this path is notorious, claiming over 100 lives over the centuries. Why? Because that tide RUSHES in. Plus, the terrain is tricky: think sticky mud, hidden quicksand, and even old, potentially EXPLOSIVE mines!

Back in the day, it was marked with broom sticks (hence the name), but imagine trying to navigate that in fog or rain – it's easy to get disoriented with sand stretching in every direction. The scenery is stark and beautiful, but don't let it fool you. This isn't a casual walk; it's a challenging, potentially deadly adventure. Respect the power of the sea, folks!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
England
Continent
europe
Length
9.7 km
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in europe

How to get by car to Gobba di Rollin?moderate

How to get by car to Gobba di Rollin?

🇮🇹 Italy

# Gobba di Rollin: Europe's Ultimate Alpine Adventure Perched at a breathtaking 3,911 meters (12,831 feet) in the Pennine Alps, Gobba di Rollin sits right on the Switzerland-Italy border—connecting Switzerland's Valais canton with Italy's Aosta Valley. It's legitimately one of Europe's highest peaks, and the views? Absolutely incredible. Tucked just south of the Breithorn, this place is home to Europe's highest ski lift, and there's actually a service road that reaches the summit. Here's the catch: you'll need a serious 4x4 to even attempt it, and realistically, you can only access it via the Theodul Pass during summer months when conditions cooperate. Don't expect easy access though—getting official permission to drive up these days is basically impossible, so your best bet is tackling it on skis. Fun fact worth mentioning: back in August 2000, three Land Rover Defender 90s made history when crews from the Aosta Valley Land Rover Club set the European altitude record for standard off-road vehicles at this exact spot. These determined drivers climbed from Cervini up through the ski slopes, pushing through the Plateau Rosà and Testa Grigia before reaching the ski lift station. Pretty legendary stuff for anyone obsessed with extreme off-roading adventures. If you're dreaming of conquering one of the world's most extreme alpine challenges, this is it—just come prepared, respect the mountain, and manage your expectations when it comes to accessibility.

An old military dirt road to Monte Rite in the Dolomiteshard

An old military dirt road to Monte Rite in the Dolomites

🇮🇹 Italy

# Monte Rite: A Legendary Mountain Drive in the Dolomites Perched at 2,168 meters (7,112 feet) in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, Monte Rite is calling your name. This isn't your typical scenic drive—it's a raw, unpaved adventure that takes you back in time along a WWI military road that's as much history lesson as it is thrill ride. Starting from Passo Cibiana (where you'll find a convenient car park), the 6.2-kilometer climb to the summit is no joke. Expect steep grades reaching 12% at their worst, with an average gradient hanging around 9.6% as you gain 593 meters of elevation. But here's the thing: the payoff is absolutely worth every switchback. Once you reach the top, you're rewarded with jaw-dropping 360° views of the Dolomites' most iconic peaks. You'll find the charming Rifugio Dolomites for a well-deserved break, plus the Forte Monte Rite—an impressively preserved WWI fortress built between 1912-14. And if you're feeling cultured, there's the Messner Museum (also called "The Museum in the Clouds"), Europe's highest museum, named after legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner. A heads-up though: private vehicles are banned on this road, and Mother Nature closes the party late October through late June or early July, depending on snow conditions. Plan accordingly, and you've got yourself one unforgettable alpine experience.

Discovering the Thrills of Whinlatter Pass: A Breathtaking Road in Cumbriahard

Discovering the Thrills of Whinlatter Pass: A Breathtaking Road in Cumbria

🇬🇧 England

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the B5292, also known as the Whinlatter Pass Road, snaking your way through the northern Lake District of Cumbria, England. This isn't quite as wild as some of the other passes around here like Newlands or Honister, but it's still a proper climb up to 337m (1,105ft) high! You'll find yourself deep inside the Whinlatter Forest Park, surrounded by the Thornthwaite Forest, on this 9.81km (6.1 miles) stretch of paved (but narrow and steep!) road. We're talking about a west-east route that connects High Lorton (south of Cockermouth) to Braithwaite (west of Keswick). The road's usually open year-round, but watch out for ice in the winter! And seriously, pack layers – it can get pretty wet and windy up here. The best part? Near the summit, you'll find the Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre with a gift shop and a restaurant. But the real reward is the view – stunning panoramas over Bassenthwaite Lake! Just a heads-up, though: be careful on the way up, especially with cyclists bombing down the hills and maybe misjudging those corners. Cyclists, take note: this pass has been featured in the Tour of Britain, so you know it's a good climb! Some sections hit a 15% gradient. If you're starting in High Lorton, you're looking at a 6 km ascent with a 246-meter elevation gain (averaging 4.1%). From Braithwaite, it's a 4 km climb with a 228-meter gain (averaging 5.7%). Get ready for a workout!

A great road to Cormet de Roselend in the Alpsmoderate

A great road to Cormet de Roselend in the Alps

🇫🇷 France

# Cormet de Roselend Nestled in the Savoie department of southeastern France near the Italian border, Cormet de Roselend sits at a breezy 1,991m (6,532ft) elevation. The name itself—derived from the Latin "Culmen"—literally means summit, and boy, does it deliver on that promise. This iconic stretch is part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes and spans 39.5 km (24.54 miles) of fully paved bliss, connecting Beaufort in the Beaufortain valley to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Tarentaise Valley via routes D902 and D925. Fair warning: 22 hairpin turns await you, so bring your A-game driving skills. The climb is no joke. From Beaufort's side, you're looking at 20.32 km of ascending with 1,227 meters of elevation gain (averaging 6%, with punchy 8.9% sections). The Bourg-Saint-Maurice approach is slightly shorter at 19.35 km, but still packs 1,154 meters of climb with steeper 10% sections—topped out at a gnarly 12% through some sections. Don't be fooled by that modest 6% average; the road starts relatively gentle under tree cover before dropping you into a relentless sequence of 10 tight hairpins that'll keep your heart racing. Summer's the sweet spot for driving here, as winter closures are pretty standard at this altitude. The Tour de France has featured this pass multiple times, and it's easy to see why. The real showstopper? Lac de Roselend, the stunning reservoir you'll spot on the western side, plus those jaw-dropping Mont Blanc views when you pass by Vallée des Glaciers. Think endless alpine meadows, cowbell soundtracks, and scenery that just keeps getting better with every turn.