Where is Kistefjell?
Norway, europe
8.9 km
1,001 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in northern Norway, Troms og Finnmark county to be exact, and you spot this mountain called Kistefjell. It's not just any mountain, though. Perched right on top, at 1,001 meters (3,284 feet), is this massive 78-meter TV mast, blasting out radio, TV, mobile signals – the works!
Now, getting to the top is an adventure in itself. Forget smooth asphalt; the 8.9 km (5.53 miles) road is all unpaved, and seriously steep. We're talking a consistent 11% gradient, gaining almost a kilometer in elevation. You'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this beast! Built back in the '60s, it's a real climb.
Heads up though: Mother Nature calls the shots up here. The weather at the summit is wild, especially in winter. Ice and heavy snow can make the road totally impassable, and it can close without warning. But if you time it right, and get a clear day, the views from the top, combined with the sheer audacity of that massive mast, are totally worth the bumpy ride.
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,001 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Forca d'Acero?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, so you wanna hit up central Italy? Let me tell you about Forca d'Acero! This mountain pass straddles the Lazio and Abruzzo regions and tops out at a cool 1,538 meters (5,045 feet). The road itself? It's paved, but don't think it's a walk in the park. You'll be wrestling with some seriously steep sections, like, up to 10.6% grade! It's a decent stretch of road connecting near Opi (Abruzzo) to near Sora (Lazio). But here's the real draw: the views from the summit. And honestly, the challenge is part of the reward – you'll definitely feel like you've earned it. Just keep your eyes peeled and be ready for those inclines.
extremeFacing the Climb of Gavia Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
Get ready for Passo di Gavia, an epic mountain pass straddling Sondrio and Brescia in Lombardy, Italy! This is one of Italy's highest roads, peaking at a whopping 2,627m (8,618ft). The SP29 winds for nearly 45 km (28 miles) from Ponte di Legno to Bormio. Trust me, this climb is a beast. Think serious gradients that regularly push past 7%, often spiking to 10%, and switchbacks galore. Small parking spots are carved out of the mountain so you can pull over. Located in northern Italy, Gavia is seriously gorgeous, dividing Sondrio and Brescia. The road is usually in great condition, and while you won't see tons of cars, watch out for the motorcycles! If you're heading up, pack layers, even in summer, as it can get chilly near the glacier-covered summit. The views? Stunning. The descent towards Santa Caterina Valfurva and Bormio is worth every drop of sweat from the climb. And yeah, you might even see snow in the summer months! The road closes on the south side during winter, but the north stays somewhat open thanks to the Bormio ski resort. At the top, check out the super scenic Lago Bianco with Corno dei Tre Signori towering above. Don't miss Lago Nero just below the pass on the south side, either! This road is no joke. Prepare for tight curves, hairpin turns, and some seriously steep sections. Oh, and in many spots, there are no guardrails between you and a long, long way down. Just before the summit, you'll cross a bridge over the Rezzalasco. Not far after, you will find the alpine lodge "Berni". Then you're near the summit, on the south side is *that* tunnel. About 3 km from the top, you will find this dark, steep, gravel-lined tunnel. Thankfully, it's paved now, with reflectors to guide you. The northern side? It's been showing its age, especially the higher sections. Watch out for the tunnel police – they love to catch motorcyclists speeding through the 30 km/h zone. For cyclists, the climb from Bormio is about 25.6 km with an average gradient of 5.5%. If you're coming from Ponte di Legno, it's a shorter 17.3 km, but with a steeper 7.9% average gradient (and maxing out at 16%!). On the south side, there's this stretch so narrow that cars can barely pass each other, making it…intense. Some of the hairpin bends on the south side are so tight that larger motorcycles might have to do a little maneuvering to get through. And remember, no guardrails in many places, so focus! At the summit, you'll find a simple restaurant with cheap lodging. If you're coming from the south, look to your right and you might catch a glimpse of an ancient Roman road about 50 meters from the modern route.
moderateWhere is the Afsluitdijk causeway?
🌍 Netherlands
Okay, buckle up for a seriously cool drive across the Afsluitdijk! This isn't just a road; it's a 32-kilometer (20-mile) watery tightrope connecting parts of Holland and drawing in around 300,000 visitors every year. Yep, it’s one of the country's most popular feats of water engineering! Built way back, this causeway is so long you might just start to feel like you're sailing. You'll start near a charming village and cruise along, experiencing a unique view. Get ready for wind, water on both sides, and a serious dose of Dutch ingenuity!
moderateDriving the Scenic EM-509 Road in Serra da Estrela
🇵🇹 Portugal
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Estrada Municipal 509 (EM-509) in Portugal's Castelo Branco district! This isn't just a drive; it's a sensory experience through the Serra da Estrela mountains, practically hugging the border with Guarda District. Stretching almost 14 kilometers from Unhais da Serra to the Nava de Santo António Plateau, prepare for views that'll leave you speechless. Think extinct glacial valleys and panoramic mountain vistas—pure magic! Now, a heads-up: while most of this route was paved back in the late '90s, there's a roughly 1.8-kilometer stretch along the canal that's still rocking its original, unpaved, and narrow charm. Locals are pushing for improvements to boost tourism, and paving is on the horizon, but for now, keep your wits about you! The road, designed by Alfredo Marques dos Santos, is a great way to see the mountains.