Driving the Stalheimskleiva Road in Norway

The Stalheimskleiva road is a dangerous stretch of road, measuring just 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) in length, that winds along the mountainside of Stalheim in Norway. It is one of the steepest roads in Northern Europe, offering truly spectacular views.

Country	Norway
County	Vestland
Elevation	4,186 ft(1,276 m)
Elevation Gain	2,801 ft (854 m)
Distance	0,9 miles (1.6 km)
Average Gradient	13 %

Driving the Stalheimskleiva Road

Stalheimskleiva road follows the slope of the Stalheim mountain and passes by two waterfalls visible from the road. To the north, you can see the Sivlefossen waterfall, with a drop of about 140 meters (460 feet), and to the south, the Stalheimsfossen waterfall, with a drop of 126 meters (413 feet). The road starts at an elevation of 119 meters (390 feet) above sea level and ends at 377 meters (1,237 feet), resulting in an elevation gain of 258 meters (846 feet).

Despite its short length, the road’s gradient is spectacular, reaching up to 20%. Along its ascent, the road features up to 13 hairpin turns. Stalheimskleiva road was built without heavy machinery between 1842 and 1846. It is located a few kilometers north of Voss, in the county of Hordaland, right off the main road of Norway, connecting Oslo and Bergen. Traveling along Stalheimskleiva is a thrilling experience. You can enjoy magnificent views of the Nærøydalen Valley, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are ample opportunities to capture postcard-perfect photos.

The road surface is completely paved. The road remains open except during the winter season when snow and ice make it impassable. However, it can also be temporarily closed if the access is not clear or dangerous. The road is very narrow, often requiring significantly reduced speeds as cars navigate the 13 hairpin turns. In the past, the road allowed two-way traffic, but due to its dangerous nature, it has been converted into a single-lane road.