For many travellers, the journey is becoming the destination. Global searches for “scenic routes” have jumped 170% in the past year, and a new ranking from car rental firm Avis aims to identify the continent's most rewarding drives.
The company analysed roads across Europe, using Road Curvature maps and AI to count every bend, then factoring in length, elevation, and popularity metrics such as Instagram hashtags and monthly Google searches. The result is a composite score out of 100, highlighting routes that combine dramatic twists with spectacular scenery.
Italy's Stelvio Pass takes the crown
Topping the list is the Stelvio Pass in northern Italy, near the Swiss border. With a score of 88, it packs 685 curves into its 35-kilometre stretch, an average of 20 per kilometre, and climbs to an elevation of 2,757 metres. Its reputation among driving enthusiasts is reflected in roughly 68,700 Instagram posts and 74,000 average monthly searches. The pass is only open from June to October, when snow and ice have cleared, making it a seasonal challenge for those who dare.
Second place goes to Switzerland's Furka Pass, scoring 86. This 22.5-kilometre road features 344 curves and reaches 2,429 metres, offering views of glaciers and peaks in the Uri and Valais Alps. It gained fame in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, and its 101,000 Instagram hashtags and 60,500 monthly searches attest to its enduring appeal. Like the Stelvio, it operates only between June and October.
Austria's Grossglockner High Alpine Road ranks third with a score of 80. At 48 kilometres, it is longer than the top two, with 350 curves and views of Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner, and the Pasterze Glacier. The road is a haven for nature lovers, with cabins and lodges along the way offering chances to spot rare alpine flora and fauna. It closes in winter due to heavy snowfall.
Norway's Trollstigen, or “Troll's Road,” is the shortest in the top five at just 6 kilometres, but it delivers nearly 20 turns per kilometre, earning a score of 74. Despite its brevity, it offers fjord landscapes, waterfalls, and viewpoints that make it the country's most visited tourist road. It is open from mid-May until the first autumn snows, and while it has the fewest monthly searches in the top five, it remains a must-drive for many.
Rounding out the top five is Romania's Transalpina (DN67C), scoring 73. This is the longest of the group at 148 kilometres, with 682 curves and an elevation gain of 2,145 metres. It is popular on Instagram with 89,400 hashtags and 60,500 monthly searches. Along the way, drivers can stop at quaint villages for hearty local cuisine or hike through mountains and valleys.
The full top ten includes two more Swiss passes (Susten and Grimsel), two French routes (Route des Grandes Alpes and Col du Tourmalet), and Romania's Transfagarasan Highway. For those planning a road trip, these routes offer a mix of adrenaline and awe, though many are seasonal and require careful timing.
For more inspiration on scenic drives, see our list of Europe's best islands for road trips. And if you're looking for other travel rankings, check out how Paris fares in global tourism or Europe's top ski resorts.
