Where is Stwlan Dam?
Wales, europe
2.89 km
512 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Gwynedd, Wales, smack-dab in Snowdonia National Park. You're headed up to Llyn Stwlan, a mountain reservoir perched way up at 1,679 feet!
The road to get there? Totally paved, but hold on tight – it's a wild ride! We're talking narrow, super curvy, and packed with eight hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. Starting in Tanygrisiau, it's about 1.8 miles to the top, but those miles are intense.
Word of warning: usually you can't drive up in your own car. Also, keep an eye on the weather—you might need chains or snow tires, even when you least expect it.
But trust me, the views from the top are SO worth it. You'll be gazing out over the Moelwyn range and the Vale of Ffestiniog, and it's absolutely breathtaking. Llyn Stwlan itself is cool too—it was originally a small lake, but they built a dam in the 50s as part of the Ffestiniog Power Station project.
And did I mention it's steep? Seriously steep. At its worst, you're looking at an 18.4% gradient on some sections. You'll climb almost 1,000 feet in just under two miles, with an average gradient of almost 10%. Get ready for a climb!
Road Details
- Country
- Wales
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 2.89 km
- Max Elevation
- 512 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhat is the route to Monte Ray?
🇮🇹 Italy
Nestled in Italy's Piedmont region, near the French border in the Province of Cuneo, lies Monte Ray, a peak soaring to 1,846m (6,056ft). The road, a former service route, begins near Entracque at 934m and snakes up 10.7 km through the gorgeous Valle Gesso. Sadly, this beauty is currently off-limits to private vehicles, a barrier guards the start. But for those lucky enough to access it, be warned: this climb is BRUTAL! The average gradient is a leg-burning 8.52%, with sections hitting a ridiculous 15.5%. The road, though paved, is often covered in loose gravel, especially on the many hairpin turns that wind tightly up the slope. This road is famous because it's an amazing example of high-altitude infrastructure. Even though you can't drive it, the stark Alpine views and proximity to France make it a highlight for anyone exploring the Cuneo province.
extremeForcella Pass, The Road That Has it All!
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo della Forcella Looking for an epic alpine challenge? Passo della Forcella sits at a serious 1,824m (5,984ft) above sea level in Udine, in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Also called Malga Losa, this pass is no joke. The road itself is a mixed bag of loose gravel and crumbling concrete, winding its way up a ridiculously narrow corridor with an average gradient of 15%. But here's where it gets spicy—sections hit a brutal 28% steepness, and that's when you'll really feel gravity fighting back. The gravel is loose and rutted with washouts scattered throughout, making every turn a technical puzzle. Fair warning: hit this road after rain or snow and you're done. The mountain sees serious winter precipitation at this elevation, and closures are common when snow covers the route. Cyclists from around the globe make pilgrimage here specifically to conquer these "infernal slopes," but you've got to time it right. This is one of those roads that demands respect and good timing—but if you nail it on a clear day, the views and the achievement are absolutely worth every white-knuckle moment.
hardA very steep road to Ronda in the canton of Vaud
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Rionda: Switzerland's Ultimate Mountain Challenge Rionda is an iconic Alpine peak towering at 2,157m (7,076ft) in Switzerland's Vaud canton, sitting pretty near the French-Italian border with sweeping views over Martigny. Fair warning: the climb from Lavey-les-Bains is legitimately one of the most brutal mountain roads you'll encounter anywhere on Earth. Starting from the small municipality of Lavey-Morcles (just 442m elevation), you're in for a 15.3km (9.5 miles) white-knuckle ascent that'll gain you 1,715 meters with an eye-watering average gradient of 11.2%. The road surface switches between paved and unpaved sections, and here's the kicker—except for a brief reprieve around km 8 and the final kilometer, you're never dealing with anything gentler than 10%. The first stretch tricks you into thinking it's manageable. Don't be fooled. Things get seriously steep, seriously fast, and stay that way as you navigate an endless series of numbered switchbacks climbing through Lavey-Morcles. It's relentless, it's grueling, and it's absolutely unforgettable. One heads-up though: there's reportedly a locked barrier at around 1,750m where a car park sits, which may restrict vehicle access to the summit. Worth checking conditions before you make the drive up—you don't want to come all this way only to hit a dead end!
moderateA chairlift trail to the summit of Mount Mussa-Achitara
🌍 Russia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna experience Europe's heights like never before? Then point your 4x4 towards Mount Mussa-Achitara in the Russian Caucasus Mountains! We're talking seriously high – 3,141 meters (10,305 feet) to be exact, putting you nose-to-nose with some seriously rarefied air. Nestled down south near the Georgian border, inside the stunning Teberda Nature Reserve, this isn't your Sunday drive. The "road" (and I use that term loosely!) is a super rocky, unpaved track that doubles as a chairlift access trail for the Dombai ski resort. But the views? Unreal! Think snow-capped peaks, glaciers glistening in the sun, and wild rivers carving their way through the landscape. The panorama of the Dombai valleys and ridges from the top is simply breathtaking. The climb starts in Dombai and stretches for just 6.6 kilometers (4.1 miles), but buckle up because you're gaining 1,379 meters in altitude – that's an average gradient of almost 21%! And pro tip: skip this one in winter unless you have a thing for snowdrifts the size of your car. Seriously, impassable!