Many of us use our holidays to explore another country, and if you’re heading abroad this year, you might be on the lookout for some stunning roads to discover on your way.
We’ve already delved into the wonders of UK roads for both spring and summer, but now we’re going international – here are some of our picks for the best European roads and routes to explore!
Route Napoléon, France
This iconic route gets its name from Napoléon Bonaparte, since it follows the journey he took on his march from Elba to Grenoble in 1815 to overthrow King Louis XVIII. The 200-mile route stretches across a variety of spectacular sights and terrain, passing through some of France’s most iconic regions: Grasse, Sisteron, Digne-les-Bains, and Antibes Juan-les-Pins to name a few.
Although Napoléon headed towards Grenoble, we recommend starting your trip there – that way, you’ll be travelling south to slowly reveal the stunning coastline of Nice.
Napoléon chose to travel through the mountains to avoid being detected, so the route will also take you across the French Alps. Don’t worry about getting lost, though – the way is marked with the sign of the French imperial eagle on the roadside at regular intervals.
The Great Dolomites Road, Italy
Arguably one of the most famous roads in Europe, and perhaps the world, The Great Dolomites Road is a must-see route in Italy. Known as the Grande Strada Delle Dolomiti locally, its 134-mile stretch takes you from Bolzano to Cortina d’Ampezzo across the mountainous region of Northern Italy.
It gets its name from the Dolomites, a large mountain range that forms part of the Southern Limestone Alps. These mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason – the sheer cliffs, deep valleys, and snow-capped peaks offer some breathtaking views.
The road itself is entirely paved and offers a thrilling mix of hairpin bends, steep climbs, and panoramic views. The drive can be done in around three hours, but we think it’s worth stopping off regularly to take in the scenery. There are plenty of attractions to see along the way too – Lake Carezza, Val Gardena, and the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology are all worthwhile detours.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austrian Alps
With the title of Austria’s highest road, the Grossglockner Pass (or Großglockner Hochalpenstraße in German) is a must-drive route for any motoring enthusiast. It takes you from Fusch-Ferleiten in Salzburg to Heiligenblut in Carinthia, with plenty of excitement along the way.
The road is named after the mountain it passes through, the Grossglockner – that’s also Austria’s highest peak. It’s a toll road, so you will have to pay to use it, but it offers stunning views across the Alps, and covers nearly 30 miles with 36 hairpin bends. The corners are numbered too, so you can keep track of your progress as you ascend to the top.
The road is a very popular drive, drawing nearly a million visitors per year, and it’s easy to see why. Not only are you treated to a thrilling snaking path up the mountain, but you’ll pass through Höhe Tauern National Park too, giving you some impressive scenery to admire. On the way up, we’d recommend stopping off at the Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe visitors’ centre, a lookout point named after a visit by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.
The Transfăgărășan, Romania
Although crowned by Top Gear as the best road in the world in 2009, Romania’s Transfăgărășan remains a hidden gem among other more popular European roads. The 56-mile highway was started in 1970 to give quick military access across the mountains in case of a Soviet invasion and took 5 years to complete.
As the name suggests, the road cuts across the Făgăraș Mountains – although the path wasn’t naturally there, and it took nearly 6,000 tons of dynamite to carve the route out of the mountainside.
The result is a winding road littered with hairpin bends, steep descents, and flowing S-curves, to give even the most experienced motorist a thrill. Since it was constructed so high up in the mountains, you’re guaranteed some spectacular views on your way.
Like many European mountain passes, the road is closed between October and June because of poor weather conditions, but it’s well worth a summer excursion.
Furka Pass, Swiss Alps
High in the Swiss Alps at nearly 8,000 feet, the Furka Pass is our next pick for a European road trip, sitting between the towns of Brig and Andermatt. It makes up a third of the popular Three-Pass-Ride over the Furka, Grimsel, and Susten, and Furka in particular is extremely popular with tourists.
Whether by motorbike, car, or bicycle, thousands of thrill-seekers take on this epic pass every year, drawn in by the sloping roads and winding bends set against the mountainside.
Not only is the Furka Pass well-known for its incredible snaking route, but it also has a Hollywood connection. You may recognise the road from the movie Goldfinger and the famous car chase scene across the pass. There’s even a bend on the east side called James Bond Strasse in honour of its appearance.
Along the way, you’ll find the iconic Hotel Belvedere – it’s famous for its obscure location, nestled right inside a hairpin bend, and it’s also where Sean Connery stayed whilst filming the Swiss scenes in Goldfinger. Although it sadly closed in 2016, it’s well worth seeing.
Black Forest High Road (B500), Germany
The B500, the Black Forest High Road, or even the Schwarzwaldhochstraße – this German road has many names, but it’s truly a unique driving experience. Its most common English name comes from the Black Forest that the road runs alongside, and these alpine views have scored it a spot on our list.
The most popular stretch connects Baden-Baden in the north to Freudenstadt in the southwest across 40 miles of smooth turns, but the full route will take you a further 105 miles to the Swiss border. While routes through the Alps are known for their sharp bends and sudden inclines, the Black Forest High Road is popular for its gentler route that doesn’t compromise the view. Stunningly smooth tarmac and long sweeping bends promise a tranquil yet exciting journey.
About 20 miles into the drive, you’ll find Lake Mummelsee, carved out of the mountainside during the last ice age. We’d recommend stopping off just to take in the view – at 1,000 metres above sea level and 17 metres deep, it’s well worth seeing. You’ll also find a hotel, two restaurants, a grocery and souvenir store, and a paddleboat rental station, so there’s plenty to do if you’re spending the day at the lakeside.
Trollstigen, Norway
Onto our last pick: Trollstigen Mountain Road is the most visited tourist road in Norway and for good reason. Dramatic inclines, hairpin bends, and the narrow road all add up an exhilarating journey, with some magnificent views.
The road sits high in the mountains to the west of Norway and forms part of Norwegian National Road 63. The name loosely translates to ‘The Troll’s Path’ or ‘Ladder’ in English – presumably because the road seems to impossibly scale the side of the mountain.
With a 10% incline and 11 hairpin bends, you’ll need to be a confident driver to tackle the route, but the reward is worth it. There are several viewing platforms along the way, giving you a chance to take in the surrounding mountains, but even if you’re on the move, you’ll be treated to the sight of waterfalls, fjords, tunnels, and lakes as you pass.
Getting there
So, now you know where you’re going, it’s time to make sure you’re ready for the trip. We always recommend that you prepare your car well before a long journey, and that’s especially important if you’re heading abroad. If you’re unsure about driving in Europe, you can find everything you need to know in our guide here.
Car checks
A valid MOT is a must-have, and a service will ensure that your vehicle is fully prepared for wherever your adventure takes you. Booking them together can save you money (even more as a Halfords Motoring Club member. Still not part of the club? Sign up here.)
If you’re up to date on your annual maintenance, then maybe you just want the peace of mind that everything’s working as it should. A 10-Point Car Check at your local store or garage is free with your Motoring Club membership and will check some of the key areas of your car like your tyres and battery, ready for you to hit the road happy.
Finally, are you taking your own car? If so, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got everything you need to legally take your vehicle abroad. You can find our advice on that here.
Breakdown essentials
Even with a well-prepared car, the worst can still happen unexpectedly, so it’s worthwhile to keep some breakdown essentials just in case. Each country will have different rules for what you need to carry with you legally, but here are some suggestions that are always a good idea to have:
You’ll also want to make good use of your Motoring Club benefits before you go – you can use your 5% Premium member discount to stock up on in-car essentials before you set off. If you’re still not a part of the Halfords Motoring Club, don’t spend any more time missing out on exclusive perks! Sign up today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club for instant access to your benefits.
Now that you know where you’re heading, we hope you have a great time on your European road trip! If you need any more motoring services or getaway essentials, then pop on over to Halfords and we’ll be happy to help.
