Where is Stausee Mattmark?
Switzerland, europe
N/A
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Alright adventurers, buckle up for a trip to Mattmark See, a stunning alpine reservoir tucked away in southern Switzerland, near the Italian border. The road is a dream – perfectly paved and smooth as butter from start to finish! The climb itself is about 10 km long, starting around 2,100 meters and rising over 600 meters, making for an average gradient of around 6%. Don't let that fool you though, the final few kilometers are where the fun really begins, ramping up to a challenging 12% as the dam looms into view. Just imagine, a straight, steep shot right at the base of a glacier! Seriously epic scenery. While the road is in great shape, keep an eye out for cyclists, and be aware that mountain weather can change rapidly. Pack accordingly and get ready for breathtaking views!
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
extremeHow to drive through Col des Montets in the French Alps?
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Montets Ready for an Alpine adventure? Col des Montets sits at 1,461m (4,793ft) in Haute-Savoie, France, nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. This 39 km (24.2 miles) mountain pass connects Chamonix—sitting pretty at the base of Mont Blanc—to Martigny in Switzerland, and it's been famous enough to feature in the Tour de France multiple times. The good news? This is a driver's dream. The entire route runs on pristine asphalt (the D1506), with gradients that max out at a manageable 8.3%—nothing too gnarly here. The road surface is in excellent condition, and the slopes stay nice and easy throughout. You'll navigate through stunning Alpine scenery, and at the summit, you can explore the Aiguilles Rouges chalet reserve and hit up some natural trails to spot authentic Alpine flora and fauna. Winter is when things get interesting. While the pass typically stays open year-round, heavy snow can roll in, and avalanche danger means closures happen. If conditions get sketchy, chains or winter tires are absolutely essential. When the pass does shut down, there's a clever backup: the Tunnel des Montets, a dual-purpose railway tunnel that also handles cars and trucks on the French side, so you're never completely stranded. Bottom line? It's a spectacular, accessible Alpine crossing that delivers stunning views without the white-knuckle stress.
hardCol du Tronc
🇨🇠Switzerland
# Col du Tronc: A High-Alpine Adventure in Valais Nestled in the Martigny district of Switzerland's Valais canton, Col du Tronc sits at a dramatic 1,612 meters (5,288 feet) above sea level. This pass—also called Col des Planches—is pure alpine adventure. Fair warning: this isn't your typical highway. The route to the summit is mostly gravel, narrow, and seriously steep. It's only open to vehicles under 18 tons, so don't even think about bringing that RV. Winter is when things get really tricky. The high altitude means heavy snowfall is practically guaranteed, and the road can shut down at a moment's notice when conditions aren't safe to navigate. If you're after that raw, authentic mountain experience with zero pretense, this wild unpaved road delivers. Just check conditions before you go—timing is everything up here.
moderateThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling to Becco Rosso Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Cima Becco Rosso Ready for a real adventure? Cima Becco Rosso sits pretty at 2,261 meters (7,417 feet) up in the Alps, straddling the France-Italy border like a mountain boss. This pass connects Piedmont's Province of Cuneo in northwestern Italy with the Alpes-Maritimes over in southeastern France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Nestled between the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Alps, this route is seriously old-school—think military history meets modern-day adventure. The road itself is pretty rugged: a deteriorated military track that's basically morphed into a dirt mule path over the years. It's not your typical highway experience, but if you're after authentic Alpine exploration with some serious character, this is it.
moderateRing Road (Route 1)
🇮🇸 Iceland
# Iceland's Ring Road: The Ultimate Icelandic Road Trip Ready for an epic 1,322-kilometer adventure? Iceland's Ring Road is basically the country's greatest hits tour on asphalt and gravel, looping around the entire island and hitting pretty much every corner where people actually live. The road got its final piece in 1974 when they finished the Skogar River bridge, and honestly, it's been the ultimate bucket-list drive ever since. What makes this route absolutely mind-blowing is the sheer variety of scenery you'll encounter. Imagine cruising past massive lava fields that look like alien terrain, then rolling up to impossibly blue glacial lagoons, volcanic wastelands, and geothermal hotspots where the earth itself seems alive. The fjords on the east coast? Dramatic doesn't even cover it. You'll pass right by some of Iceland's most Instagram-famous spots—think thundering waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, the otherworldly Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and the otherworldly geothermal wonderland of Myvatn. Most of the route is paved these days, though some stretches in the northern and eastern sections still stick to gravel, adding a bit of adventure to the mix. Plan on spending 7 to 10 days to really do it justice. One heads-up: Iceland's weather is moody and unpredictable, changing faster than your mood on a road trip. If you're going in winter, come prepared with studded tires and keep tabs on road closures—it's not something to mess around with.