Where is Pločno?
Bosnia, europe
11.7 km
2,204 m
moderate
Year-round
Pločno Peak is the ultimate high point in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, scraping the sky at 2,204m (7,230ft)! You'll find it chilling right on the border between Herzegovina-Neretva and West Herzegovina cantons.
This summit? It's the king of the Central Dinarides! There's a communications tower up there, and let me tell you, the views are absolutely unreal.
You can actually drive up part of Čvrsnica mountain to get there! The road kicks off from Bare and stretches for about 11.7km (7.27 miles). Now, it's a totally unpaved, rocky ride, but nothing too crazy. Just be prepared for some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients up to 34%! Budget around 45-60 minutes to reach the top without stopping.
Word of warning: there are old stories from the Balkans war about military interception of photographers, but no one seems to care anymore. Some people advise against it because of possible old landmines.
Locals call it the "roof" of Herzegovina because of its height and, being on the left side of the Neretva river, the best time to tackle this road is late spring, summer, or autumn. But check the snow situation before you go! This area is known for crazy winds that can create massive snowdrifts, sometimes up to 15 meters thick! The top plateau is usually snow-covered from November to April, and some hidden spots keep their snowy secrets year-round.
Road Details
- Country
- Bosnia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,204 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Pico El Morredero?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in the Province of León, Spain, ready for an adventure. You're headed to Pico El Morredero, a mountain peak soaring to 2,021 meters (that's 6,630 feet!). You'll find it south-southeast of El Bierzo, in the Montes Aquilanos range, part of the bigger Montes de León. Up top, you'll see some cool communication towers. Heads up: the 3.4 km (2.11 mile) road to the summit is allllll unpaved. Seriously, leave your low-rider at home – you'll want a 4x4 for this one. This east-west route branches off Road LE-CV-192/21, near the Albergue de San Francisco. Keep in mind that you're pretty high up, so the weather can be a beast, especially in winter when the road is usually snowed in. But if you catch it right, the views are totally worth the trek!
hardMoucherotte
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got the inside scoop on an insane climb in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France: Moucherotte! This beast of a peak tops out at 1,863 meters (6,112 feet), and the road to the summit is pure, unadulterated gravel. Heads up, it's usually snowed in from October to June, weather depending. Here’s the backstory: there used to be this super swanky hotel, Le Ermitage, built in '59, complete with a cable car straight from Grenoble. It was THE place to be, attracting the jet set, even Brigitte Bardot! There was also a 90-meter ski jump built for the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Sadly, the good times didn't last, and the hotel and lift were abandoned, falling into disrepair. The hotel and summit even played a role in Brigitte Bardot's movie "La Bride sur le cou" ("The Bride of the neck"). The ruins of the hotel were finally demolished along with the cable car station in the summer of 2001. Now, about that climb… It's only 4.3 kilometers from Saint Nizier du Moucherotte, but pack your courage! You'll gain a whopping 698 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 16.23% – seriously steep! But trust me, the views are SO worth it. You’re smack-dab in the Vercors Natural Regional Park. The Moucherotte is the most northerly summit of the Vercors massif, which means panoramic vistas galore. There are official viewpoints, but honestly, you'll want to pull over everywhere. From the top, you can see the French Alps (including Mont Blanc!), Grenoble, and the Chartreuse massif. To the west lies the Four Mountain region of the Vercors. And if you look south, you'll spot peaks like Pic Saint Michel, Grand Moucherolle and Mont Aiguille. Get your cameras ready, because the Moucherotte summit is a photographer's dream!
hardSkafida Pass
🇬🇷 Greece
# Skafida Pass: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure in Greece Ready for an adrenaline-pumping mountain drive? Head to the Pindus Mountains in northern Greece, where Skafida Pass awaits at a bracing 1,653 meters (5,423 feet) above sea level. Straddling the border between Trikala and Ioannina prefectures in the rugged Epirus region, this route connects the charming villages of Anilio and Chaliki—and it's an unforgettable ride. The road is fully paved, which is always a bonus, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a leisurely cruise. This pass means business, with steep grades and tight hairpin turns that'll keep you gripping the wheel and pumping your brakes. The challenge is part of the thrill, though, offering incredible rewards for those brave enough to tackle it. While the pass stays open year-round, winter can throw a curveball or two—occasional closures happen when snow and nasty weather roll through. But most days, you'll have clear passage to enjoy the dramatic Pindus scenery surrounding you. Whether you're a serious road tripper or just looking for an exciting detour through the Greek mountains, Skafida Pass delivers the kind of driving story you'll be telling for years.
extremeWhere is the Via del Sale road?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you, your trusty 4x4, and the legendary Via del Sale, aka the Salt Road. This isn't just a drive; it's an adventure straddling the Italian/French border, high up in the Ligurian Alps. We're talking serious bragging rights here. This historic military track kicks off near Limone Piemonte and winds its way to Monesi di Triora. We're talking about 30 kilometers (almost 19 miles) of pure, unadulterated off-road fun on unpaved roads covered in loose gravel and rocks. Don't let the relatively short distance fool you, though. This isn't a Sunday drive! Allocate at least half a day, maybe a full day, to really soak it all in—and tackle those tricky sections. The "Salt Road" moniker? That's a throwback to its days as a vital trade route, moving salt from the Mediterranean to Turin. Later, it bulked up as a key military route, so you'll spot remnants of that history, like hand-carved tunnels and stone walls clinging to the cliffs. Speaking of cliffs, you'll need a high-clearance 4x4, no question. This route demands respect. Think steep climbs, hairpin turns, and, oh yeah, sections with zero guardrails and serious vertical drops. After a rainstorm, scout ahead on foot, as parts of the path can get dicey! You'll conquer passes like Passo della Guardia and Passo di Collardente, topping out near Colle di Perla at 2,239 meters high! Important deets: this beauty is seasonal, generally closed from October to late May because of snow. Even in summer, double-check if it's open. Since 2019, you need to book your entry in advance, and spots are limited each day. Also, keep an eye out for days reserved for hikers and cyclists, when cars aren't allowed. Remember, you're going off-grid. No gas stations, no repair shops, and iffy cell service. Bring a full-size spare tire, not just a patch kit, plenty of water, and be ready for fog that can roll in fast and thick. But trust me, the views—stretching from the Alps to the Ligurian Sea on a clear day—are worth every white-knuckle moment. Get ready for an epic ride!