Where is Porlock Hill?
England, europe
3.2 km
396 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because Porlock Hill in Somerset is about to test your mettle! This legendary stretch of tarmac, just west of the charming village of Porlock, isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking the steepest A road in England, folks!
Clocking in at around 2 miles, it throws you straight into the Exmoor hills, climbing a hefty 1,300 feet. Expect narrow sections and two seriously tight 180-degree hairpin bends that'll make your palms sweat.
Porlock Hill's claim to fame? A gut-busting 25% gradient! The final stretch is a killer, averaging 8% but with bursts over 25%. You might even catch a whiff of burning brakes from folks who've just conquered the descent. Speaking of which, there are two escape lanes for runaway vehicles—yikes!
Opened way back in 1843, this road is not for the faint of heart (or those towing caravans!). Seriously, caravans and HGVs should find another way. Cyclists? You might want to walk this one. But if you're up for a challenge and some breathtaking views, Porlock Hill is an unforgettable experience. Just remember, there's a toll road alternative if you need a breather.
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 396 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhat’s Route des Cols des Pyrenees?
🇫🇷 France
Get ready for an epic adventure across the French Pyrenees! Route des Cols des Pyrénées is a wild ride from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, stringing together 34 incredible mountain passes. Created back in the 19th century as a "thermal route" for spa-goers, this 942 km (585 miles) paved road now takes you through all six French Pyrenees departments, showcasing the raw beauty of the region. You'll climb a total of 15,937 meters, discovering breathtaking panoramic landscapes. But hold on tight! This journey isn't for the faint of heart. Expect ice, snow, the occasional Atlantic storm, and even the risk of flash floods and rock slides. Plus, you'll be sharing the road with speedy drivers and free-roaming cattle, horses, and deer. But trust me, it's all worth it. The scenery is mind-blowing, changing dramatically from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic side. You'll also experience a shift in language, food, and culture as you travel through Occitan and Basque regions. Be sure to keep an eye out for iconic passes like Col de Burdincurutcheta and Col de Portet-d'Aspet along the way. Keep in mind that some of the higher passes, like Tourmalet and Aubisque, are often snowed in from late October to mid-June. And even in summer, bad weather can make many of the cols treacherous. From April to mid-June, check the forecast each morning due to the risk of flash floods and sudden temperature drops. Here's a pro tip: If the weather's terrible on the French side, just hop across the border into Spain! It's usually only a short drive (20-30 km) to find clear skies and sunshine. Just be aware that many high mountain border crossings like Col du Pierre St Martin, Port Larrau, and Col du Pourtalet are along the way, as well as the insane road up to Cirque de Troumouse.
extremeWhere is Kuş Yuvası Pass?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Kuş Yuvası Pass! You'll find this crazy climb nestled in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey, specifically in the Alanya district of Antalya Province, inside the stunning Dim Çayı Milli Parkı. What's it like? Imagine snaking your way up to 1,388 meters (that's 4,553 feet!) on a mere 2.8 km (1.73 miles) of winding road. Now, I say "road," but be warned: weather and rockslides have NOT been kind. Think rough pavement and sections that might've seen better days (or been blocked entirely!). Thrill-seekers, listen up: this pass earned the nickname "road of death" for a reason. Canyon walls on one side, a sheer drop into nothingness on the other. Razor-sharp hairpin turns abound. We're talking some spots narrower than a meter wide! Toss in loose gravel, cliff edges with zero guardrails, and, well, you get the picture. Word on the street (or should I say, mountain path?) is that Kuş Yuvası was recently closed and is getting a major upgrade via a series of tunnels, with 10 already in place and 10 more on the way. They've added 8 kilometers of tunnels to move the route away from the cliffs. Even with the updates, expect plenty of twists and turns! This one's still not for the faint of heart, especially if you're new to this sort of thing.
hardJenkin Road in Sheffield is One of the Steepest Roads in the UK
🇬🇧 England
Okay, buckle up, because Jenkin Road in South Yorkshire is a beast of a climb! This little half-mile stretch north of Sheffield packs a serious punch. You might remember it from the 2014 Tour de France when it was briefly "Côte de Wincobank Hill." Locals know Jenkin Road for its insane steepness. A sign boasts a crazy 33% max gradient, but the *real* peak is closer to 17%, which is still nuts. It's paved, thankfully, but the slightly curved steepest part makes it feel even tougher. As you grind your way up, you'll pass through a normal residential area, with houses lining the road. The average gradient is around 11%. Trust me, your legs will feel every single percent! It’s short, it's brutal, and it's definitely a memorable ride.
extremeGeorgia, the Country: Where the Roads Are as Wild as the Mountains
🇬🇪 Georgia
Most people picture peaches and sweet tea when they think of Georgia, but forget that! We're talking about the *other* Georgia, the one nestled between Russia and Turkey. This place is a knockout, all ancient history, delicious wine, and landscapes that will leave your jaw on the floor. Think deep valleys, medieval towers, and mountain roads that twist and shout through the Caucasus. And those roads? Oh man, they're gorgeous, but they're also seriously wild. Forget Sunday driving, you're plunging INTO the mountains, often above the clouds, hugging cliff edges that seem to crumble as you pass, and sometimes even splashing through riverbeds that double as roads when it rains. Tourists land in Tbilisi, fall head-over-heels for khinkali and Georgian hospitality, and then think, "Let's hit the mountains!" Sounds epic, right? It is. But unless you're ready for it, that postcard-perfect dream can turn into a real-life nightmare, fast. Take Abano Pass, for instance. It's the only road into the remote Tusheti region, and it's one of the highest drivable passes in Europe – clocking in at over 9,000 feet! We're talking dirt, narrow, often muddy roads with zero guardrails. One tiny mistake, one moment of distraction, and you're not just sliding, you're... well, you're dropping. Hundreds of feet. In winter, this pass is totally shut down, buried under snow and ice. Spring brings landslides. Summer? You'll be dodging tourist SUVs while trying not to run over herds of sheep. There's barely enough room for one car, let alone two! And that's just one example. Roads like the one to Shatili (via Datvisjvari Pass) or Goderdzi Pass in the south are just as dramatic. Pavement can turn to gravel without warning. "Paved" in Georgia can mean anything from smooth asphalt to broken concrete and loose rocks. The raw beauty of the Caucasus Mountains comes with a price. Driving here isn't a joke, it's an act of respect. Georgian drivers seem fearless for a reason: they grew up on these roads. But if you're used to wide American highways and generous shoulders, the learning curve is crazy steep, and sometimes pretty vertical. One traveler told me he rented an SUV in Kutaisi and tried to drive to Mestia in Svaneti. His GPS took him via Ushguli, one of the highest villages in Europe. What the map *didn't* tell him? The "road" was barely wider than his car, clinging to a cliff, and hadn't seen any love in years. He ended up reversing almost a mile downhill after meeting a logging truck with no room to pass. "It was the most beautiful and terrifying drive of my life," he said. "I honestly thought we were going to die more than once.” His story is pretty common. Google Maps doesn't factor in landslides, rockfalls, or the fact that a "road" might be a dry riverbed one minute and a raging river the next. Locals know which turns to avoid, which roads to skip in the rain, and when to turn back. Most tourists don't. In Georgia, the weather doesn't just change, it FLIPS. You can be cruising under a sunny sky and, fifteen minutes later, find yourself in thick fog, icy rain, or even snow – even in summer! The elevation changes are insane. That sunny valley you just left might be thousands of feet below the pass you're heading for. Abano Pass is usually only open from June to early October, and even then, it's unpredictable. A rainstorm can cause a landslide and shut it down for hours, or even days. Datvisjvari, on the way to Khevsureti and Shatili, often closes without warning too. It's not just rain. Fog is a HUGE deal, especially early in the morning or evening. Visibility can drop to zero, and with no lights, no lines, and no guardrails, you're basically driving blind. If you're hitting the mountains, start early. Always check local reports – and don't trust your weather app too much. Locals, guesthouse owners, and gas station attendants often know way more than your phone does. Seriously, think twice before renting that cute little sedan. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's safe. Lots of mountain roads in Georgia should *only* be attempted with a true 4x4 with high clearance. And no, I'm not talking about a crossover, I mean a REAL off-roader. Even then, your tires are important. Some rental places give you SUVs with bald tires – great for the city, but terrifying on wet clay or loose gravel. Before you drive off, check your spare tire, check the jack, make sure the handbrake works, and ask for a real map if you're leaving the cities behind, because cell service disappears fast in the mountains. Here's a pro tip: if you're not sure a road is passable, see what the local marshrutkas (minibuses) do. If they're not going that way, you probably shouldn't either. Not all rental companies offer full insurance that covers off-road or mountain driving, so ask about coverage for gravel roads, river crossings, and high-altitude areas. If you crash or break down in the middle of nowhere, help might not arrive quickly. Cell coverage is spotty at best, and in some areas, it's nonexistent. Emergency numbers are responsive, but they might not be able to find you exactly. So, tell someone where you're going: a hotel, a friend, even your rental company. Tell them your route and when you expect to arrive. Most roadside areas are too narrow to stop safely. If you do break down, try to find a wider spot or a pull-off where you're visible. Turn on your hazard lights and get away from the car, especially on blind corners. Locals are usually friendly and helpful, so if someone stops to help, they probably mean it. But, don't count on passing traffic, especially in Tusheti or high Svaneti. Some roads see less than ten cars a day. There are no "turnaround zones" in the high mountains. If the road looks sketchy and you're unsure, turn back early. Don't think it'll get better, because it probably won't. Driving through the mountains of Georgia is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. The views are incredible, the roads are wild, and the feeling of freedom is unlike anything else. But so is the risk. These aren't highways, they're narrow paths carved into rock, ice, and mud. They demand respect, focus, and humility. If you're going for it, be prepared. Know your limits. Rent the right car. Check the weather. Ask the locals. And most of all, don't let your ego get in the way of good judgment. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do on these roads is turn around.