Where is Lake Goscheneralp?
Switzerland, europe
9.6 km
1,786 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Swiss Alps, heading towards the ridiculously scenic Göscheneralpsee, a high-altitude reservoir chilling at 1,786m (5,859ft). You'll find this gem tucked away in the Canton of Uri, nestled in the Göschenen Valley.
The road up is a blast! It's paved the whole way, but hold onto your hats – it's narrow, steep, and twisty! It's generally open all year round. Think tight tunnels and sections where you'll be grateful for your side mirrors, but the adrenaline rush is totally worth it.
From Göschenen, it's about 9.6 km (5.96 miles) to the lake, climbing a hefty 680 meters. That's an average gradient of 7.08%, with some sections hitting a leg-burning 12%! At the end of the road, you're rewarded with a parking spot, a cozy mountain hut, and views that'll blow your mind.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,786 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardRoad D883
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, buckle up for a wild ride on the D883 in Turkey's Black Sea region, specifically in Gümüşhane Province! This asphalt ribbon stretches for about 33 km between Kelkit and Kırıklı, and trust me, it's a rollercoaster. Think hairpin turns, switchbacks, and narrow stretches that demand your full attention. Not for the faint of heart (or those prone to motion sickness!). Weather can be a real factor here, so be prepared for potential closures. The payoff? You'll climb to almost 2,000 meters (over 6,500 feet!), and the best part? You might just have the whole road to yourself. Low traffic means you can really soak in the incredible scenery... if you dare to take your eyes off the road!
moderateHow to get by car to Lago di Lei?
🇮🇹 Italy
# Lago di Lei: A High-Alpine Adventure Nestled at 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level, Lago di Lei is a stunning artificial lake straddling the Switzerland-Italy border. It sits in the heart of Valle di Lei, where the Italian Province of Sondrio meets Switzerland's Grisons region—though here's the quirky part: while the lake itself is mostly in Italy, Switzerland actually controls the whole thing. Back in the 1950s, the Swiss pulled off an impressive border adjustment to ensure the dam would sit on their territory, making it perfect for hydroelectric power generation. The dam itself was built between 1957 and 1962. Getting there is a scenic 15.2-kilometer (9.44-mile) drive starting from Avers, winding through some seriously dramatic alpine landscape. The road is fully paved, though you'll hit some rougher patches depending on maintenance conditions. Fair warning: the route includes several tunnels, and the final one is a doozy—it's quite long with traffic lights controlling flow. If you're planning an evening trip, note that this last tunnel closes daily from 10 PM to 5 AM, so time your visit accordingly. Once you arrive, the road ends right on the dam itself, where a spacious parking lot awaits. The whole area is surrounded by towering peaks and wonderfully remote valleys—perfect for a true mountain escape.
hardAn iconic paved road to Zillergrund-Stausee
🇦🇹 Austria
# Zillergrund-Stausee Nestled high in the Austrian Alps, the Zillergrund-Stausee sits pretty at 1,850m (6,069ft) and offers one seriously stunning alpine experience. Located in the Zillertal region of Tyrol, this mountain reservoir is the kind of place that makes you understand why people fall in love with the Alps. Getting there? The road is paved, which is great, but heads up—it's narrow with some genuinely steep pitches that'll max out around 13.3%. Those hairpin turns and elevation gains aren't for the faint of heart, but they're absolutely worth it for the jaw-dropping scenery and the sense of accomplishment when you roll up to this gem of a destination.
hardPass da Costainas
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Pass da Costainas: A Swiss Alpine Adventure Ready for a serious mountain challenge? Head to the far eastern edge of Switzerland and you'll find Pass da Costainas tucked away in Graubünden's Sesvenna Range. This rugged mountain pass sits at a seriously impressive 2,254 meters (7,395 feet) above sea level. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. The road to the summit is a gravel and rocky beast—bumpy, tippy, and steep in places. You'll need solid off-road driving skills and nerves of steel to handle it properly. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, definitely skip this one and save it for another day. Plan your visit carefully, because Mother Nature calls most of the shots here. The pass is typically locked down by snow and weather from October through June, so timing is everything. Summer months offer your best window to tackle this wild route—weather permitting, of course. This is 100% a destination for experienced mountain drivers who live for that adrenaline rush. Think you've got what it takes? The Sesvenna Range is waiting for you.