Best Roads to Drive in Europe

Whether you're a car enthusiast, or just love to cruise along open roads with your windows wound down, Europe has plenty of stunning drives that are bound to get your motor running. To get you inspired for your next drive, we've put together a list of the best roads in Europe, from the hauntingly beautiful Schwarzwald in Germany to the mountainous Alps.

Why Europe's best roads are worth the drive

What makes a great road? More than likely there are mountains involved, incredible views, dramatic landscapes, hairpin bends and, let’s face it, stomach-turning precipices! The best European roads are simply breathtaking to drive, and as many are located in the Alpine regions, it’s possible to combine several of them on a single road trip. 

France

Route de Gentelly - charming villages, rugged hills and verdant forests

Located deep in the Alpes-Maritimes in Southern France, the Route de Gentelly is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Traditionally, drivers are advised to start their journey from the charming town of Vence, a place dotted with cobbled paths and rustic Mediterranean-styles buildings. From there, drive further into the mountains towards Col de Vence, a road lined by rocky green verges.

Continue through to Gréolières, a beautiful village that's contained by rugged mountains and cliffs, which becomes sheathed in snow during the winter months. From Gréolières, take an upright turn where you'll come face to face with Route de Gentelly (D2). Along this road you'll get to enjoy the twists and turns, as well as the unusual rocky arches that have formed over and around the tarmac. There's also a stunning stretch of straight roads that lead you through the breathtaking forest, so be sure to wind down your windows and breathe in the fragrant air.

Germany

Schwarzwaldhochstraße - Black Forest views, castles and mountain curves

The Schwarzwaldhochstraße is a road that sweeps through and beyond the ever-enchanting Schwarzwald, also known as the Black Forest. This scenic route covers over 60km, and reaches elevations of between 600 and 1000 metres, so you can look forward to enjoying vistas of the Rhine plain and Vosges mountains. Begin your journey in the spa town of Baden-Baden, where greenery and delightful architecture are in abundance. On top of its great sights, it's also a great place to enjoy a bite to eat before your big adventure.

From Baden-Baden, drive up and along the steep and curved roads to the castle of Bühlerhöhe, where you can look forward to incredible views high above the forest. Don't worry about missing out on the scenery as you're driving though this stunning part of Germany, as there are plenty of lay-bys where you can pull-over and really take the time to breathe in the mountain air, and relish in the surrounding natural beauty.

Italy

Stelvio Pass - Alpine scenery, dramatic switchbacks and high mountain passes

Located between the commune of Stilfs and the town of Bormio, the Stelvio Pass in the Alps is one of the highest paved mountain passes in Europe, and one of the most scenic roads in Italy. With the roads reaching elevations of 9,045-feet above sea level, the zig-zagging highways race across the jagged landscape, winding in and around the vast green valleys.

Although there's no right or wrong way of driving through the pass, many motorheads advise beginning from the north-west side, so that you ascend the mountain and really get to enjoy the slow climb up. Yet, coming down is just as sensational and has plenty of stopping points for those of you looking for the perfect photo opportunity. If you'd prefer to take on a stretch of curvier, twisting roads, make sure you head north onto the challenging but picturesque Umbrail Pass.

Austria

Großglockner Hochalpenstraße - snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows and scenic viewpoints

One of the most scenic roads in Europe, the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße leads you up to Austria's highest mountain, the Großglockner, which stands at an impressive 12,461-feet high. The road itself is 48km long, contains 36 bends, and passes by gorgeous alpine meadows, scented forests and giant cliffs that loom over fleeting cars.

On top of the impeccable views you'll witness as you change gear and take on the winding turns and twists of this breathtaking road, there's also the Hohe Tauern National Park. Being the largest national park in the country, it's the perfect place to park up your park and enjoy a hike across the fields of tall grass and wildflowers. As well as the beautiful scenery, you'll also get to enjoy the local wildlife, from spotting the mountain goats as they clamber up the sheer cliffs, to scouring the skies for hunting eagles.

Switzerland

Furka Pass - green valleys, hairpin turns and glacier landscapes

Connecting the quaint hamlet of Gletsch in the canton of Valais to Realp in Uri, the Furka Pass in Switzerland is a road that stretches right through this region of mountainous beauty. Snaking through the vast green valleys, the Furka Pass contains many challenging hairpin turns and steep grades that require some driving skill and strong focus. It'll be all worth it though, especially when you catch glimpses of the glittering Rhone Glacier and wildlife, which can be found dotted across the fields.

The Furka Pass is such an idyllic road that back in 1964, it was used as a location for the James Bond film, Goldfinger. In that specific scene of the film, Bond is speeding along the zig-zagging roads in his Aston Martin DB5, hounded by Tilly Masterson. Make the same journey as Sir Sean Connery, picturing yourself as a top spy racing through the soaring heights and plunging depths of the Swiss Alps.

Plan a trip to the best roads in Europe

How to drive to Europe from the UK?

The best way to drive to the European mainland is by using LeShuttle. It’s only a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone (ferry crossings are at least 90 minutes from Dover), and you and your whole family can stay in your car throughout the journey to Calais.  It’s astonishing, really, how close you are to many of these scenic roads once you’re in Calais. 

What is the best time of year for a European road trip?

We recommend anytime from Spring to Autumn, although the peak summer months will see more cars on the roads than at any other time of the year. As many of these roads are in mountain regions, some may be impassable during the winter or even closed. The Gotthard Pass in Switzerland, for example, is closed from November until May. They will certainly be more dangerous to drive on, in snow or icy conditions. 

Are there any toll roads to be aware of in Europe?

The French motorway network is toll-based, so you will pay tolls on any medium to long distance journey in France. Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany do not have general road tolls, but you will have to pay charges to drive through specific tunnels. There are motorway tolls or a vignette system in Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

Ready to explore the best European roads?

If one of these drives has got you inspired to rev your engine and begin a trip of a lifetime, make sure you book your Channel crossing with LeShuttle. It takes just 35-minutes to make that initial journey, so you'll soon be taking on the hairpin turns and steep stretches of Europe's best roads.