Looking for winter highway journey concepts in Europe? Not certain the place you possibly can head to take pleasure in secure driving, and unbelievable surroundings? We’ve acquired you lined!
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Best Winter Road Trips in Europe
Winter highway journeys in Europe could be tough. Depending on the place you reside (or the place you’re beginning the highway journey from, getting there could be robust! Many mountain passes are closed and plenty of huge vacationer cities shut for the winter
However, don’t despair. There are nonetheless some unbelievable locations to go to throughout Europe throughout winter. If you’re stepping into November and December, you possibly can take pleasure in among the finest and largest Christmas Markets in Europe.
If you’re going from January- March you possibly can select between discovering winter sunshine, or going to take pleasure in some cities and cities in Europe that are EVEN BETTER in winter!
Intrigued? Read on…
Tips for planning your Europe Winter Road Trip
Before you set off, whether or not you’re travelling by automobile, motorhome, campervan or motorcycle (!), there are some issues it is advisable do to organize your automobile.
Firstly, ensure you know all of the equipment you MUST have in your automobile whereas touring Europe. Get your free guidelines right here:
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Make certain you’ve winter tyres fitted. These are necessary in lots of international locations in Europe between October- March, and in international locations like France in mountainous areas. You might also want to hold snow chains.
Plan your itinerary fastidiously. Days are shorter in winter, that means you possibly can’t journey as far. Roads can be extra treacherous at evening when it will get colder, so attempt to keep away from driving at evening the place doable.
You’ll additionally wish to enable further time between stops, whether or not you’re touring Europe in a motorhome and utilizing campsites/ aires, or staying in inns/ B& Bs. If the climate is dangerous, you’ll drive extra slowly, so it would take longer to get between locations. Adding an additional 20-30% is an efficient rule of thumb.
Start your day later. Cold temperatures in a single day can depart many roads slippery within the morning, even when they’ve been gritted. Wait till mid-morning to start out your travels so the roads have had an opportunity to heat up a little bit.
Epic locations to go to on a winter highway journey in Europe for snowy scenes
Here are a few of our favorite European winter highway journey itinerary concepts:
Western Norway
- Start level/ metropolis: Bergen
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Flåm
- Route: Various
Western Norway’s fjords are an awesome winter highway journey for snow-savvy drivers. In the winter, few individuals go to the fjords, making it a unbelievable time to view the sights AND take unbelievable photographs.
Bergen, Norway’s second-largest metropolis, is a superb winter base. There’s a lot happening and, when you go to in December, you possibly can see Pepperkakebyen, the world’s largest gingerbread hamlet!
Some epic winter highway journey concepts from Bergen
- One of the prettiest routes is to Flåm. You might journey the Flåm railway and go to Aurlandsfjord.
- You might additionally drive to Voss, top-of-the-line locations for journey sports activities, Gudvangen (residence of Viking Valley), and the Stegastein viewpoint.
- Don’t miss the various waterfalls across the area- they’re breathtaking.
Don’t neglect, whether or not you’re driving a automobile or motorhoming in Norway, you should have winter tyres, and drive along with your headlights on all day.
Remember the times are a lot shorter so that you gained’t be capable of journey up to now.
Romantic Road, Germany
- Start level/ metropolis: Würzburg
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Füssen
- Route: Autobahn B3
- Distance (miles and km): 460km / 290miles
- Time to drive: 3-10 days
The Romantic Road is without doubt one of the most well-known highway journeys in Germany. The whole route is round 290 miles (460km) via Bavaria in South Germany, beginning in Würzburg (within the north) and ending in Füssen (within the south, close to the Austrian Border and the fairytale fort of Neuschwanstein!)
Although this route is phenomenal at any time of the yr, driving it in winter is further particular. The surroundings is spectacular and the cities look much more like they’ve simply sprung from a fairytale.
Winter Road Trip itinerary concept
- Start your winter highway journey within the conventional wine metropolis of Würzburg.
- Don’t miss the spectacular Christmas city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or the historic cities of Feuchtwangen, Nördlingen or Augsburg (apparently the the oldest metropolis in Germany!)
- Many many castles and historic sights, together with Harburg and Hohenschwangau. If you’re motorhoming in Germany, there are close by aires that are unbelievable.
- Detour into the Black Forest and go to Triberg, residence of the world’s largest (and smallest!) cuckoo clocks!)
- The last cease is Füssen, filled with superbly painted buildings and the closest city to the enduring Neuschwanstein Castle.
Southern Ring Road, Iceland
- Start level/ metropolis: Reykjavik
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Reykjavik
- Route: Varies relying on the climate
One of essentially the most breathtaking winter highway journeys in Europe is in Iceland.
If you go to between November to March, you’ll discover frozen waterfalls, unbelievable snow-covered vistas and, when you’re fortunate, it’s one of many finest locations in Europe to see the elusive Northern Lights.
My husband and I had been fortunate sufficient to go to Iceland in winter and by far the most effective bit was having a automobile appropriate for driving round. If you’re hiring a automobile, be certain that it has winter tyres fitted and carry a ‘just-in-case’ pack of blankets, scorching drinks and meals.
If you’re taking your personal automobile, ensure you have correct winter tyres fitted. Also, though the Ring Road doesn’t technically shut throughout winter, the northern half can change into treacherous in dangerous climate, so hold an in depth eye on the forecast and it’s possible you’ll want to stick with the southern half.
If you’re planning to camp, remember that many campsites shut throughout winter, so it may be tough to search out locations with electrical energy and contemporary water.
Highlights and itinerary concepts for an Iceland winter highway journey
- Spend a day exploring Reykjavik- there’s a number of historical past to see right here.
- Plan to spend a day or two round Vik. Here, you’ll discover the Black Sand Beach at Reynisfjara, the deserted DC3 aircraft wreck, and Yoda cave.
- If you proceed in direction of Hofn, you’ll discover the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, and Vatnajökull National Park.
- Don’t miss any of the unbelievable waterfalls alongside the route. Depending on the climate and when in winter you go, many might be frozen, which makes for spectacular photographs!
Switzerland winter highway journey concepts
- Start level/ metropolis: Basel
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Lugano
- Route: #2
- Distance: 270km
For an unforgettable winter highway journey with breathtaking surroundings, plan a drive between the attractive cities of Basel and Lugano in Switzerland.
If you’re assured driving in snow and wintery situations, you possibly can take backroads to take pleasure in the most effective of the views and go to some native villages. You’ll additionally go over some spectacular mountains, so ensure your tyres are good and cease regularly to let your brakes cool.
NOTE: Make certain you’ve winter tyres fitted and pack an emergency equipment with meals and heat garments. If you’re motorhoming in Switzerland, ensure you have your tank heaters on too.
Winter highway journey itinerary concept
- Start in Basel, a metropolis which is value exploring for a day or two when you have time.
- Then head out in direction of Lucerne. Almost each nook of this highway makes you go ‘wow’ and there are many viewpoints to cease at and seize the views.
- If you’re early sufficient, you may be capable of drive the spectacular Furka Pass- top-of-the-line highway journeys in Switzerland.
- You may additionally wish to detour West to Valais and the Matterhorn- the views are unbelievable.
- Head south to Lugano. There could not at all times be snow right here, but it surely at all times has a splendidly heat environment and lots to take pleasure in.
Edinburgh to Inverness, Scotland
- Start level/ metropolis: Edinburgh
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Inverness
- Route: Edinburgh- A84- A82 to Glencoe, Fort William and Invernesss
- Distance (miles and km): 253.88 km
- Best time to go to: New Year/ Hogmanay
One of the finest winter highway journeys within the UK is a round route from Edinburgh as much as Inverness, by way of Glencoe and Loch Ness.
Definitely spend a number of days exploring Edinburgh both earlier than or after your winter highway trip- this metropolis is fabulous and there’s a lot to see. Don’t miss Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile or climbing Arthur’s Seat for a spectacular perspective of the town.
Once you’re prepared, set out in your highway journey, driving via Loch Lomond and as much as Glencoe. The views listed here are SPECTACULAR- positively one of many most scenic highway journeys in Scotland. The route begins because the A84 however flip onto the A82 in direction of Fort William.
After travelling for 3 to 4 hours, you’ll arrive at Fort William and be capable of see Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest peak, within the distance.
Take the A-82 alongside Loch Ness to Inverness. Allow round three hours for this section- there are many locations to cease for photographs or making an attempt to identify Nessie.
From Inverness, you possibly can both return to Edinburgh by way of the A9, or stick with it north and deal with the well-known North Coast 500!
Wild Atlantic Way
- Start level/ metropolis: Malin Head, Donegal
- Endpoint/ metropolis: Mizen Head, County Cork
- Route: Wild Atlantic Way
- Distance (miles and km): 1600 miles (2600 km)
- Best time of yr to drive or particular pageant/ occasion: March- St Patrick’s Day
The Wild Atlantic Way is without doubt one of the longest coastal driving roads within the world- and probably the most well-known! The shoreline is wild, rugged and breathtakingly lovely.
It runs from Malin Head in County Donegal to Mizen Head in County Cork. Usually, the route is packed by anybody eager to go roadtripping or campervanning in Ireland, however in winter, it’s MUCH quieter.
How lengthy does it take to drive the Wild Atlantic Way?
The finest a part of this route is that you would be able to select to do as a lot or as little as you want. If you wish to do your entire route with out speeding, I like to recommend 1-2 weeks minimal. Don’t neglect, there’s a lot to see off the principle route which you gained’t wish to miss and you may mix it with a number of of Ireland’s different well-known highway journey routes.
Highlights of a Wild Atlantic Way highway journey
Some of the highlights of a Wild Atlantic Way highway journey embrace:
- Mizen Head (one of many areas the place the most recent Star Wars film was shot)
- the windswept isle of Skellig Michael,
- Achill Island (Ireland’s largest island and an epic kitesurfing vacation spot)
- Galway City
- Dingle
- Cliffs of Moher
- Bantry Bay
- Malin Head
Of course, there are PLENTY of different locations you possibly can go to in Europe throughout winter. Places like Spain and Portugal are at all times common, as are additional away locations like Croatia and Greece. But I hope these helped provide you with a little bit inspiration to get the ball rolling.
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