Why is Cala Gonone famous?
Italy, europe
9.6 km
322 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, road-trippers! If you're heading to the ridiculously gorgeous beach town of Cala Gonone on Sardinia's east coast, prepare for an adventure just getting there. This isn't your average Sunday drive.
Think of it as a wild, winding 9.6 km (6 miles) of pure Italian driving madness. The road starts from the Strada Statale 125 and clings to the cliffs, giving you these crazy, panoramic views of the Golfo di Orosei. Seriously, have your camera ready!
But hold on tight, because the last 2.4 km is where things get real. Starting near the Nuraghe Buca d’Irghiriai (a cool ancient site), the road pitches upward with an average gradient of 10%, but hitting a teeth-clenching 14% in spots! It climbs 245 meters from an elevation of 322m — so yeah, it’s steep.
Expect some seriously tight hairpin turns and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. The road surface? Paved, but with concrete sections to keep things interesting. Basically, it's one of those roads that adds to Cala Gonone's charm — a little hard to get to, but SO worth it when you arrive. The untouched beauty and wild feel of Cala Gonone starts with this unforgettable drive.
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 322 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateCol de l'Iseran is the King of the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col de l'Iseran: The King of the Alps Perched at 2,764m (9,068ft) in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de l'Iseran sits pretty in the Graian Alps, right near the Italian border. This legendary pass connects Val-d'Isère in the north to Bonneval-sur-Arc in the south, forming a crucial stretch of the famous Route des Grandes Alpes. (Fair warning: that sign at the top claiming 2,770m? Don't believe it.) Nestled within Vanoise National Park, this is the stuff bucket lists are made of. Bikers and cyclists dream about this place—it's wild, intimidating, and absolutely epic. The landscape is raw and untouched, sweeping and desolate in the best possible way. It'll take your breath away. The fully paved D902 road runs a stunning north-south course, climbing to one of the highest accessible roads in France. The catch? It's only open summer months—typically May or June through October—and on certain summer days, it's cyclists-only from Val-d'Isère. That's when you know a road is serious. This pass has serious history too. It started as a mule track centuries ago before a 1920s presidential decree transformed it into an official route. Construction took a whopping 34 years, finally opening in 1937 under President Albert Lebrun. It was a massive feat—600 workers labored to connect the Maurienne and Iseran valleys for the first time ever. The ride itself is no joke. The north side features galleries and tunnels with grades hitting 12 percent. Since 1947, it's been a Tour de France favorite, and distance markers line both sides to keep you oriented on your way up.
hardLac de Pramol
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Maurienne Valley in the French Alps, heading towards a hidden gem called Lac de Pramol. This high-altitude lake sits pretty at 1,728m (that's 5,969ft!), just a hop, skip, and a jump past les Karellis ski resort. The road? Oh, it's a sweet, paved climb. Starting in Saint Jean de Maurienne, you've got about 18.8 km of winding asphalt ahead of you. You'll gain 1,168 meters in elevation, averaging around 6.2% grade – with some punchy sections hitting 11%! It’s usually a chill drive; not too much traffic unless it's a Saturday during ski season. And the reward? The serene waters of the lake perfectly mirroring the dramatic Croix des Têtes, which happens to be France's biggest limestone cliff. Trust me, you'll want your camera ready for this one!
hardPortal de Picos
🇪🇸 Spain
# Portal de Picos: Spain's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure Ready for a serious mountain challenge? Portal de Picos sits pretty at 1,854m (6,082ft) in Cantabria's stunning Picos de Europa national park, and the journey to the summit is absolutely not for the faint of heart. This is a proper 4x4 expedition through the Central Massif. The road itself is a gloriously gnarly mix of gravel, rocks, and rutted terrain that'll test your nerve and your vehicle. Expect relentless twists, hairpins, and steep sections that keep you constantly wrestling the wheel left and right. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, seriously reconsider—this one demands serious driving chops. Here's the real talk: Mother Nature runs the show here. Snow typically rolls in by late September, and the road becomes impassable from October through June depending on conditions. Autumn's the real wildcard—temperatures can plummet without warning, and thunderstorms can transform the track into an impassable mess in minutes. Heights? Better get comfortable with them. But stick it out, and you'll be rewarded. The summit hosts facilities and buildings, plus you'll pass the charming Chalet Real—a historic villa that once hosted King Alfonso XIII back in 1912. Hotel Áliva marks your starting point. The views are phenomenal: sweeping ridgelines of Olvidada, Peña Vieja, and Torre de los Horcados Rojos paint the backdrop. Wildlife enthusiasts will geek out spotting wild boar, ibex, chamois, and if you're incredibly lucky, protected Iberian wolves and Cantabrian brown bears. This place is genuinely wild.
moderateD8 Coastal Road (Jadranska Magistrala)
🇭🇷 Croatia
The D8—locals call it the Jadranska Magistrala or Adriatic Highway—is basically Croatia's poster child for coastal drives. This legendary 650-kilometer stretch connects Rijeka up north all the way down to Dubrovnik, and honestly, it's been turning heads since the 1960s when it was built. The entire route hugs the eastern Adriatic shore like it was designed by someone who really wanted you to see the water. We're talking rocky coves, pine-covered headlands, and those jaw-dropping ancient walled towns scattered throughout. On one side you've got the sparkling sea dotted with islands, and on the other, the dramatic Dinaric Alps just looming there. You'll drive through some seriously iconic spots: Zadar with its island-studded views, Split with its incredible Diocletian's Palace, the Makarska Riviera overshadowed by the massive Biokovo mountain, and eventually Dubrovnik's legendary walls. The road itself is in great condition, but here's the real talk—summer is absolute peak season and things get genuinely crowded, especially around Split and Dubrovnik. If you're flexible on timing, shoulder season is definitely your friend. Oh, and if you want to island-hop? No problem. Ferries connect the main road to Croatia's countless islands, so you've got options to mix things up along the way.