Where is Newby Head Pass?
England, europe
26.55 km
440 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Newby Head Pass in North Yorkshire, England, a hidden gem sitting pretty at 1,443 feet above sea level. You'll find it straddling the Craven and Richmondshire districts in the northern part of the country.
Why "Newby Head?" Legend says it's named after a Drovers Inn that used to sit right at the top. The B6255 is your paved path to glory – a winding stretch of road that clocks in at around 16.5 miles, linking Ingleton and Hawes.
Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. Some sections get seriously steep, with gradients hitting almost 10%! The views? Totally worth it. The road's generally open year-round, but winter can throw a curveball with ice turning those bends into a slippery challenge. So, buckle up, keep your eyes peeled, and get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 26.55 km
- Max Elevation
- 440 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Bellecombe?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're carving through the Alps, right on the French-Italian border, heading for Bellecombe. This peak sits way up high at 2,602 meters! Forget paved paradise, though; this 12-kilometer stretch is all rugged, unpaved adventure. You'll be linking Savoie in France to the Aosta Valley in Italy, with Mont Blanc looming in the distance. Word to the wise: you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this one. Oh, and pro tip: don't even think about it in the winter – this road is buried in snow. But when it's open? Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery, with views for days!
hardColle Pian Fum
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up for Colle Pian Fum, a seriously stunning (and slightly wild) mountain pass in Piedmont, Italy! We're talking about reaching 1,999 meters (that's 6,558 feet!) above sea level, so prepare for some incredible views. The adventure starts near Tornetti on smooth asphalt, but don't get too comfortable. Things get real, real quick with some seriously rough patches and potholes galore. Definitely not a winter destination, this narrow and steep road will keep you on your toes. But hey, that's what makes it an unforgettable drive!
hardGossenköllesee
🇦🇹 Austria
# Gossenköllesee: A High-Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Stubaier Alps of Austrian Tyrol sits Gossenköllesee, a stunning high-alpine lake perched at a breathtaking 2,445 meters (8,021 feet). Getting there? That's half the adventure. The route is pure mountain drama—a rocky, gravel chairlift access trail that demands respect. The slope is relentlessly steep, scattered with loose stones that get progressively worse the higher you climb. This isn't a year-round kind of drive; you're looking at a narrow window of opportunity in late summer if conditions cooperate. Even then, expect the unexpected. Mother Nature doesn't mess around up here. Howling winds are the norm, battering the mountains all year long. Summer might sound appealing, but don't be fooled—snow can show up anytime, and winter temperatures are downright brutal. The road doubles as a ski-station service route, ramping up to intense gradients of 30% in some sections. This is proper 4x4 territory where only the committed venture. It's not for the faint-hearted, but for those willing to tackle it, the rewards are extraordinary. The dramatic alpine scenery and the sense of accomplishment make every challenging turn worthwhile.
moderateAn old military unpaved road to Sanson Pass in the Ligurian Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Sanson Pass: A Mountain Adventure Through Alpine History Ready for an unforgettable drive through the Alps? Sanson Pass sits pretty at 1,694 meters (5,557 feet) above sea level, straddling the France-Italy border in a seriously stunning corner of the world. Known locally as Colla di Sanson, Bassa di Sanson, or Baisse de Sanson, this 41.5 km (25.78 mile) gravel road connects the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France with Liguria's Province of Imperia. This isn't your typical paved highway—it's a former military cart track that'll test your driving chops. The entire route is unpaved gravel, and conditions vary wildly depending on the season and recent weather. You'll need decent vehicle clearance and some genuine driving skills to tackle the rougher sections. The pass kicks off near La Brigue on France's D43 road and finishes near Molini di Triora on Italy's SP548. Along the way, you're basically time-traveling through pre-WWII history. The mountain pass is dotted with fascinating military relics—fortifications, small barracks, and old roads—all built when tensions ran high between France and Italy. But here's where it gets really cool: there are side routes worth exploring. Head toward Balcone di Marta and you'll discover an enormous fortress hidden beneath rolling meadows. Alternatively, veer off to the charming villages of Realdo and Verdeggia—picturesque shepherd settlements perched on the mountainside and part of Triora's commune. These ancient hamlets feel like stepping back centuries. Nestled in the Ligurian Alps, this gravel adventure delivers stunning mountain scenery mixed with layers of European history. Definitely one for travelers who want something beyond the standard tourist route.