Scenic Drives in Europe: Winding Roads Worth the Trip

Searches for scenic routes have been climbing, and it is easy to see why. Airport delays, rising flight costs and crowded hubs have encouraged people to look for a more grounded way to explore. Slow travel appeals, and a road trip offers freedom, flexibility and the odd spontaneous detour.

Social media has helped too, turning dramatic Alpine switchbacks and cliffside coastal passes into aspirational viewing. If you are dreaming up scenic drives in Europe, new research from Avis ranks the most thrilling winding roads on the continent. It looked at route length, elevation and curve counts, along with social media footprint and search demand.

Scenic Drives in Europe: The Top Five Twistiest Roads

1. Stelvio Pass, Italy (score 88). At 35km long, with 2,757m of elevation and 685 curves, it averages about 20 curves per kilometre. Top Gear made it famous in 2008, and it has 68,700 Instagram hashtags and 74,000 searches a month. It is seasonal, open from June to October, and closed from around 1 November until mid to late May because of snow and ice.

2. Furka Pass, Switzerland (86). Known for hairpins and for appearing in the 1964 film Goldfinger, it runs between the Uri and Valais Alps with views of glaciers and peaks. The 22.5km road has 344 curves, 2,429m of elevation and about 15 turns per kilometre. It is usually open from June to October.

3. Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria (80). It is 48km long with 350 curves, around 7 turns per kilometre. It offers views of Austria’s highest peak and the Pasterze Glacier, and has 182,000 hashtags. It shuts in winter, and a fee is charged for cars and motorcycles to help with upkeep. There are lodges and cabins along the way, and nature lovers might spot rare plants and animals.

4. Trollstigen, Norway (74). Just 6km long with 850m of elevation, it still manages nearly 20 turns per kilometre, so it is not for the faint-hearted. Expect fjord scenery, waterfalls and viewpoints. It is Norway’s most visited tourist road and one of 18 National Tourist Routes, open from mid-May until the first autumn snow.

5. Transalpina (DN67C), Romania (73). This 148km road has 682 curves and 2,145m of elevation, about 5 twists per kilometre. It earned its place thanks to 89,400 hashtags and 60,500 monthly searches. Along the way you can visit villages, hike mountains and try local food.

Whichever you choose, check the opening dates before you book, as snow keeps several of these roads shut for much of the year.

The Most Picturesque Drive

For pure views, Val d’Orcia in Italy wins, with 615,000 Instagram posts using its hashtag, the most of any road in the study. The route from Pienza to Montepulciano passes rolling Tuscan hills, cheese farms and wineries. It is also kind to anyone who dislikes bends, with only 66 curves across 70km.

Four Tips for Driving Twisty Roads

• Use low gears. This stops your brakes overheating, especially on steep climbs.
• Check your tyres. Correct pressure and good grip help control, particularly before long uphill stretches.
• Slow before the curve. Dropping to around 10 to 15 mph is suggested for a hairpin.
• Accelerate on exit. Wait until the car is straight again, which leaves time to react to anything coming the other way.

Pick your season, take it steady, and let the drive be the main event.