Where is Muotkatakka?

Where is Muotkatakka?

Finland, europe

Length

56.8 km

Elevation

601 m

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Finnish Lapland, almost to the tippy-top of Finland, practically waving to Sweden. You're heading to Muotkatakka, the highest point you can reach on Finnish roads, sitting pretty at 601 meters above sea level.

Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! You'll be hugging Highway 21 (aka European Route 8) for about 57 kilometers, starting from Kilpisjärvi and winding up in Ropinsalmi. The whole route is paved, so no need for a monster truck.

Keep your eyes peeled for killer views of Lake Kilpisjärvi and the Norwegian mountains in the distance. Plus, history buffs will dig the monument marking the spot where the last shots of the Lapland War rang out way back in '45. Once you arrive, there's a little parking area, so you can hop out, stretch your legs, and soak it all in. Trust me, this Arctic Circle adventure is one for the books!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Finland
Continent
europe
Length
56.8 km
Max Elevation
601 m
Difficulty
easy

Related Roads in europe

Great Saint Bernard Pass is one of the most famous roads in the Alpseasy

Great Saint Bernard Pass is one of the most famous roads in the Alps

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Great Saint Bernard Pass: A Classic Alpine Adventure Nestled at 2,469m (8,100ft) between Switzerland and Italy, the Great Saint Bernard Pass is basically the rockstar of Alpine driving. This legendary route connects Martigny in Switzerland's Valais canton with Aosta in northwestern Italy, spanning a scenic 74.6 km (46.35 miles) of entirely paved road—known as Route 21 in Switzerland and Strada Statale 27 in Italy. Here's the thing: this pass has been a big deal for literally 3,000 years. Julius Caesar rolled through here in 57 BC, and Napoleon marched his entire 46,000-strong army over it in 1800. Pretty impressive for a route that didn't actually get a proper road until 1905 (thanks to some bureaucratic drama and tricky engineering challenges). The summit is genuinely spectacular, complete with a beautiful mountain lake, cozy hotels, and restaurants where you can warm up with a hot meal. But the real stars? The St. Bernard dogs. A hospice founded way back in 1049 is famous for breeding these gentle giants, who became legendary rescue heroes—first mentioned saving lives in 1709. The monks still run things today, offering hospitality to modern travelers just like they did centuries ago. Cyclists love this place too—both the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia tackle it. From Sembrancher, expect a 30.6 km climb with 1,752m elevation gain (5.7% average grade), while the Italian side from Aosta is slightly steeper at 32.05 km with 1,878m gain. **Plan your visit wisely:** The pass typically opens late May through mid-October, though snow and weather can shake things up. Even in summer, pack a jacket—nights get chilly. Winter? Forget the regular road; the 1964 tunnel (at 1,915m) keeps traffic flowing when 10 meters of snow blankets the area and temps plummet to -30°C. The lake freezes solid for 265 days a year. Fun fact: Those iconic opening scenes from The Italian Job? Filmed right here.

How to drive the Folgefonna Tunnel in southern Norway?moderate

How to drive the Folgefonna Tunnel in southern Norway?

🇳🇴 Norway

Located in Hordaland county in Norway, the Folgefonntunnelen is seriously one of the longest road tunnels you'll find in the country. Tucked away in the southern part of Norway within Folgefonna National Park, this tunnel is absolutely wild—it literally runs underneath the Folgefonna glacier. We're talking about an impressive 11,150 meters (that's 36,580 feet) of underground driving. The tunnel opened back in 2001 and connects the charming villages of Tokheim and Austrepollen via County Road 551 (Fv551). The whole stretch is fully paved, so you'll have smooth sailing through. Just a heads up: if you're planning to hike or bike through, you're out of luck—pedestrians and cyclists aren't allowed in the tunnel, so it's strictly a drive-through experience.

How to get by car to l'Abellera Chapel in Tarragona?hard

How to get by car to l'Abellera Chapel in Tarragona?

🇪🇸 Spain

# Santuari de la Mare de Déu de l'Abellera Perched at 1,008 meters (3,307 feet) in the Baix Camp region of southern Catalonia, this mountain shrine is absolutely worth the drive. Located in Tarragona province in northeastern Spain, the views from up here? Absolutely stunning. This historic chapel is a beauty with serious history. Built into a cave on a cliff face (possibly dating back to 1570), it's got that legendary vibe—locals say a shepherd found a Virgin statue in an oak tree that mysteriously kept returning to its original spot no matter how many times he moved it. Pretty cool, right? The chapel's also got connections to some serious historical figures, including Queen Margarida of Prades and Friar Bernat Boïl, who actually lived here back in the 15th century. The modest façade we see today was built in stages, with the bell tower added around 1578. Inside, you'll find a single nave and the crowned Virgin statue replica (crowned in 1956). It's become a major pilgrimage site—especially beloved by beekeepers thanks to its historical bee connections. Pilgrims flock here on Easter Monday and September 8, with a traditional procession from Prades around Christmas. The drive itself is pretty straightforward. Starting from the paved T-704 south of Prades, the road (Camí de l'Ermita de la Mare de Déu de l'Abellera) is totally paved but steep and narrow—think winding mountain road vibes. It's only 1.9 kilometers (1.18 miles) long with a modest 64-meter elevation gain and an average gradient of 3.3%. The speed limit is 40km/h, so just take your time and soak in those mountain views along the way.

Where is Calle Monroy?hard

Where is Calle Monroy?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, picture this: you're in Tenerife, Canary Islands, ready for an adventure. Head to Santa Úrsula, and you'll find Calle Monroy. This isn't your average street; it's a wild ride! Spanning 740 meters, it drops from 638 meters down to 430, boasting an average gradient of 28.1%. Parts of it hit a crazy 40%! The upper section's so steep, it's paved with grippy, chevron-patterned concrete instead of regular asphalt. It's fully paved, but don't let that fool you. There are no flat sections to catch your breath, and the end gets super narrow. Seriously, this climb is a beast! If you stall, you're sliding back. Even stopping is tough. A little shrine on the side is a somber reminder of the dangers. Pro tip? Start at the top and cruise down for a less stressful experience.