
Where is the Riksvegen Old Road?
Norway, europe
2.3 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in Norway's Vestland county, ready for a ridiculously beautiful lakeside stroll. Forget cars—the Riksvegen Old Road along Eidfjordvatnet (Eidfjord Lake) is all about pedestrian and bicycle power these days.
This isn't just any path; it’s a 2.3 km slice of history hugging the lake's western edge. You'll even pass through a tunnel once christened by King Oscar II himself! The views are postcard-perfect, but keep an eye out; this area is known for some potential rock slides. The newer Norwegian National Road 7 (Rv7) and its tunnels now handle the vehicle traffic, leaving this gem for those who want to slow down and soak in the scenery.
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 2.3 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
extremeDriving the Via del Sale: A High-Altitude 4x4 Road in the Ligurian Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Via del Sale: The Alpine Salt Road That'll Test Your 4x4 Skills Ready for one of Europe's wildest off-road adventures? The Via del Sale winds through the crests of the Ligurian Alps right on the Italy-France border, connecting Limone Piemonte to Monesi di Triora. If you're after serious high-altitude 4x4 thrills wrapped in military history, this is it. Nestled in Italy's Cuneo province in southwest Piedmont, this track cuts deep through the Maritime Alps, bouncing back and forth across the border. On a clear day, you're gazing out at snow-capped Alpine peaks fading toward the glimmering Ligurian Sea—seriously stunning stuff. The main unpaved section runs about 30 kilometers, but don't let that number fool you. The terrain is brutally rough with jaw-clenching narrow passes where backing up isn't an option. You're looking at a solid half-day minimum, and even seasoned drivers pushing it will need over 2 hours of driving time alone. Factor in photo breaks and the reality of navigating sketchy sections, and you could easily burn a full day here. The name comes from medieval salt traders hauling goods from the Mediterranean coast up to Turin. Later, military strategists widened and fortified it to connect mountain forts guarding the border. You'll still spot the 19th-century handiwork—hand-carved tunnels and dry-stone walls clinging to the cliffs. This demands a proper high-clearance 4x4 with guts. The entire route is unpaved: loose gravel, sharp rocks, and steep climbs that'll test your transmission and engine. It's an incredible off-road experience, but one that requires laser focus the entire time. **What to Watch Out For:** The route climbs through several iconic mountain passes with exposure that'll get your heart pumping. **Important Details:** The road's seasonal—typically closed October through late May thanks to heavy snow. Even summer trips depend on clearing status and weather. Since 2019, access is regulated to protect the environment and safety. You'll need to book ahead at altaviadelsale.com (€15 per vehicle, limited permits daily). Fair warning: certain days are reserved exclusively for hikers and cyclists, so check before planning your trip. Once you're up there, you're genuinely on your own. Zero gas stations, zero repair shops, spotty cell coverage at best. Pack a full-size spare tire, extra water, and be mentally prepared for fog rolling in and destroying visibility in minutes. That's when the cliff sections get genuinely terrifying.
easyGreat Saint Bernard Pass is one of the most famous roads in the Alps
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Great Saint Bernard Pass: A Classic Alpine Adventure Nestled at 2,469m (8,100ft) between Switzerland and Italy, the Great Saint Bernard Pass is basically the rockstar of Alpine driving. This legendary route connects Martigny in Switzerland's Valais canton with Aosta in northwestern Italy, spanning a scenic 74.6 km (46.35 miles) of entirely paved road—known as Route 21 in Switzerland and Strada Statale 27 in Italy. Here's the thing: this pass has been a big deal for literally 3,000 years. Julius Caesar rolled through here in 57 BC, and Napoleon marched his entire 46,000-strong army over it in 1800. Pretty impressive for a route that didn't actually get a proper road until 1905 (thanks to some bureaucratic drama and tricky engineering challenges). The summit is genuinely spectacular, complete with a beautiful mountain lake, cozy hotels, and restaurants where you can warm up with a hot meal. But the real stars? The St. Bernard dogs. A hospice founded way back in 1049 is famous for breeding these gentle giants, who became legendary rescue heroes—first mentioned saving lives in 1709. The monks still run things today, offering hospitality to modern travelers just like they did centuries ago. Cyclists love this place too—both the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia tackle it. From Sembrancher, expect a 30.6 km climb with 1,752m elevation gain (5.7% average grade), while the Italian side from Aosta is slightly steeper at 32.05 km with 1,878m gain. **Plan your visit wisely:** The pass typically opens late May through mid-October, though snow and weather can shake things up. Even in summer, pack a jacket—nights get chilly. Winter? Forget the regular road; the 1964 tunnel (at 1,915m) keeps traffic flowing when 10 meters of snow blankets the area and temps plummet to -30°C. The lake freezes solid for 265 days a year. Fun fact: Those iconic opening scenes from The Italian Job? Filmed right here.
moderateA Delightful Yet Challenging Road to the Summit of Monte Martello
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Martello If you're craving a serious mountain challenge, Monte Martello delivers in spades. Perched at 2,051m (6,729ft) in South Tyrol's Val Martello region, this pass is no joke—it's the kind of climb that'll test your legs (and your patience). The route stretches 22.7km from Coldrano to Rifugio Nino Corsi, hugging the stunning Zufrittsee-Lago Gioveretto along the way. While most of the road is paved, it's tight and demanding in places, with narrow sections that'll keep you focused. Fair warning: the final 2km transition to gravel, and it's off-limits to regular cars anyway. Here's where it gets gnarly. The average gradient sits around 6.1%, but that doesn't tell the whole story. This climb throws constant curveballs—punchy steep sections mixed with marginally gentler stretches that never let you catch your breath. Those last 1.3km are particularly brutal, with gradients exceeding 10% throughout, and a savage 14% ramp waiting about 1km from the top. It's the kind of irregular, relentless grind that stretches on forever. The Giro d'Italia has tackled this beast multiple times for good reason. While it might not match the raw steepness of Passo dello Stelvio or Passo di Gavia, Monte Martello's length combined with its unpredictable gradient swings make it a genuinely punishing climb that'll stay with you long after you summit.
extremeDriving the wild 4x4 road to Svinaskard Pass
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Just outside Reykjavík, where the city fades into the wild Icelandic countryside of Kjósarhreppur, lies Svínaskarð Pass, a true test of your driving mettle. Locals whisper it’s one of Iceland's toughest drives. This ain't your average Sunday cruise, folks. "The Pass of Pigs," as it's known, hasn’t seen much love since cars first tackled it back in 1930. Forget pavement; it's all about that rugged, unyielding terrain on Svínaskarðsleið. Trust me, you'll want a proper 4x4 and some serious off-road skills. Heading north from the summit (at a cool 485m!), prepare for a wild descent. Think hairpin turns hugging a mountainside, plunging into a cliff-lined ravine. It's steep, narrow, and those turns? Razor sharp. Parts of the road are so intense your car might just start sliding down the loose rock! Clocking in at just over 16km (10ish miles), this north-south adventure connects Kjósarskarðsvegur (Road 48) with Þingvallavegur (Road 36). The views, though? Absolutely epic. Just make sure you keep your eyes on the road… this one demands respect!