Europe has more legendary driving roads packed into a small space than anywhere else on earth. Alpine passes that stack hairpins like a staircase, ridge roads that trace the spine of a mountain range, and forest sweepers that flow for kilometres. This is a tour of some of the very best, with a short note on each, plus practical advice on timing and how to capture the drive so you can relive it later.
Stelvio Pass, Italy
The Stelvio is the road most enthusiasts name first, and for good reason. Climbing to 2,757 metres in the Italian Alps, its northern side stacks 48 numbered hairpins into a wall of switchbacks that looks almost unreal from above. It is demanding, busy in summer, and unforgettable. Go early in the morning to beat the cyclists, motorcyclists, and coaches, and check that the pass is open, as snow can close it well into spring.
Transfagarasan, Romania
Famously described as one of the best roads in the world, the Transfagarasan carves through the Fagaras Mountains, climbing past glacial lakes and through a long summit tunnel. It is wilder and quieter than the Alpine classics, with long sweeping sections and dramatic scenery. The high section is typically only open from roughly late June to October, so plan around the season.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
This is a toll road built specifically to be driven for pleasure, and it shows. Smooth tarmac, well-engineered curves, and constant views of Austria's highest peak make the Grossglockner a more relaxed but no less spectacular alternative to the Stelvio. It is exceptionally well maintained, which makes it a great choice if you want flow over white-knuckle hairpins.
Black Forest B500, Germany
The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse, or B500, runs through Germany's Black Forest and is a long, flowing ribbon of medium-speed curves through dense pine woodland. It is less about extreme altitude and more about rhythm, which makes it endlessly enjoyable and far easier to access than a high Alpine pass. It pairs beautifully with the surrounding spa towns for a longer trip.
Route Napoleon, France
Tracing the path Napoleon took on his return from exile, this route runs from the French Riviera up into the Alps. It mixes fast open sections with tighter mountain stretches and changes scenery dramatically as you climb away from the coast. It is long enough to fill a full day and connects to plenty of other great roads in the region.
Furka Pass and the Swiss Classics
Switzerland is dense with great roads, and the Furka Pass, made famous by a certain Aston Martin chase scene, is among the most scenic. Combine it with the nearby Grimsel and Susten passes for a loop of three world-class roads in a single day. Swiss tarmac quality is consistently excellent, and the scenery is relentless.
Planning and Recording Your Drive
A great driving road deserves a little planning and a record worth keeping.
- Go early or out of season. The famous passes get crowded. An early start transforms the experience.
- Check that the pass is open. High Alpine roads close for snow, sometimes into June.
- Drive within your limits. These roads have two-way traffic, cyclists, and blind crests. The goal is flow, not speed records.
- Record the route. A speed-colored map of the Stelvio's 48 hairpins is a souvenir in itself.
Recording a drive turns a memory into something you can revisit. With a drive tracker you get the full route on a map, your distance and elevation, and per-trip stats, and you can export the whole thing as a GPX file to archive or share. If you want to compare your runs or follow a route someone else recorded, that exported file is the bridge between apps.
Make It a Shared Trip
The best roads are even better with friends. If you are heading to the Alps with a group, a little coordination keeps everyone together and makes the day flow. You can plan a meeting point, follow each other on a live map, and turn the run into a proper convoy. Many enthusiasts also browse curated driving events and meets to discover roads and groups near a destination.
Whether you tackle one iconic pass or string several together into a road trip, Europe rewards the effort. Pick a road, check it is open, set off early, and record the drive so the day lives on long after the engine cools.