A closer look
Sweaty palms and grinding gears are the main attractions on the Stalheimskleiva, one of Northern Europe's steepest roads. Built by hand in the 1840s, this 1.5-kilometer stretch of asphalt features 13 terrifying hairpin turns and a ridiculous 20 percent gradient. It was originally carved into the mountain just to let wealthy Victorians reach a fancy hotel and a waterfall. Today, it stands as a scenic pilgrimage for road-trippers who enjoy the very real sensation that their brakes might spontaneously vaporize.
