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
hardCuchillar del Zapatero
🇪🇸 Spain
# Cuchillar del Zapatero Ever dreamed of conquering a Spanish mountain peak? Cuchillar del Zapatero might just be your ultimate driving challenge. This rugged summit sits at 1,914m (6,279ft) in Avila province, deep in the heart of Castile and León's stunning landscapes in north-central Spain. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. The road up is steep, gravelly, and seriously bumpy—think more off-road adventure than scenic cruise. If you're prone to vertigo or get nervous about landslides, you'll want to skip this one. The narrow, winding route is tight in places, and Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate. Snow and ice regularly shut it down, making it basically a no-go zone from November through March. Bottom line? Bring your 4x4, pack your patience, and save this beauty for the warmer months. The payoff? Incredible mountain views and serious bragging rights.
hardWhere is San Glorio Pass?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the N-621 in Spain, right on the border between Cantabria and Castile and León. You're headed for the Puerto de San Glorio, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,604 meters (5,262 feet) above sea level. This beauty connects the province of León with Cantabria, snaking through the stunning Picos de Europa mountains. The whole route is paved, so no need for the off-road tires here! At the top, there's even a parking area and a short dead-end road that takes you to a viewpoint – perfect for soaking in the scenery. The pass stretches for about 36.8 kilometers (22.86 miles) from Portilla de la Reina in León to Potes in Cantabria. Don’t be fooled by the pavement, though – this road is no joke! It's a regular in the Vuelta a España, with some seriously steep sections hitting a gradient of 11%. The road's open year-round, so you can tackle it whenever you like. And keep an eye out – this area is home to a thriving bear population!
moderateIs the road to Puerto de Izaña on Canary Islands paved?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Puerto de Izaña in Tenerife, Canary Islands, a whopping 2,263 meters (7,424 feet) above sea level. The road to the top? Smooth sailing on the TF-24, or Carretera de la Esperanza as the locals call it. Get ready for a wild ride – this 33.7 km (20.94 miles) stretch from Las Cañadas del Teide to Las Rosas is packed with twists, turns, and climbs that’ll have you hugging the edge of your seat, but with the greatest scenery! You'll be winding your way up, hitting some seriously steep sections where the gradient maxes out at a butt-clenching 12.3%. But trust me, the views from the natural lookout points are worth every single hairpin turn! This road, hugging the Base del Teide, is truly one of the most sensational routes in the Canary Islands.
extremeOulles
🇫🇷 France
Ever heard of Oulles? It's this tiny mountain village clinging to the Taillefer massif in the French Alps, and with only a handful of residents, it's officially the smallest in the area! Getting there is an adventure in itself. Forget highways, you'll be snaking up 6.5 kilometers of the D221, a crazy road carved into the rockface. Imagine hairpin after hairpin – twelve in total! This road wasn't even around until the '60s; before that, it was just mule trails. Talk about remote! Be prepared for a workout – this climb gains a whopping 767 meters in elevation. We're talking an average gradient of almost 12%, with some sections hitting over 13%. But trust me, the views are worth it. Picture this: smooth asphalt, switchbacks hugging a cliff edge, and hardly any other cars around. It's an incredible drive to a village that time forgot, a place where they mined silver lead for centuries!