Gravity Hills Around the World: Where “Uphill” Is Actually Downhill

What is a gravity hill? It’s a short stretch of road where the surrounding landscape skews your sense of level. Trees that lean, sloping fields, and a hidden horizon can make a gentle downhill grade look like a convincing uphill climb. Put a car in neutral and it appears to roll “up” the road, or a bottle seems to drift uphill—an optical illusion, not magnetic forces or paranormal physics.

Europe

• Electric Brae — South Ayrshire, Scotland (UK)
  A famous quarter-mile stretch near Dunure with a roadside marker explaining the illusion.
• L3053 “Magic Road” — near Butzbach, Hesse (Germany)
  Local favorite where free-rolling cars seem to climb.
• Ariccia “Salita in discesa” — Lazio (Italy)
  On SR218 between Ariccia and Rocca di Papa; water appears to run uphill.
• Route Magique — Le Thuit-Anger (France)
  A short section nicknamed the “magic route” for its deceptive slope.
• Magic Road — Jenkinstown / Omeath, Co. Louth (Ireland)
  Popular Irish curiosity on the Cooley Peninsula.
• Kačerov & Hřebeč sites — Czech Republic
  Classic examples where branching road geometry sells the illusion.
• Paphos Anti-Gravity Road — Cyprus
  Quick, convincing Mediterranean demo just off the Droushia–Polis road.
• Trollvägen (Goblin Road), Nipfjället — Idre (Sweden)
  A charming Dalarna stop for hikers and drivers.
• Isle of Man “Magnetic Hill” — Ronague to Round Table
  Long-standing local oddity on a rural stretch.
• Magnetbakken — Bornholm (Denmark)
  A Nordic addition often visited by island road-trippers.

North America

• Magnetic Hill — Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada)
  Perhaps the most visited gravity hill, with a seasonal tourist setup.
• Prosser Gravity Hill — North Crosby Road, Washington (USA)
  Features a painted “start line” to position your car.
• Spook Hill — Lake Wales, Florida (USA)
  Historic site wrapped in local lore; the slope illusion does the real work.
• Other U.S. mentions
  Noted spots appear near San Antonio (Texas), Salt Lake City (Utah), and Anchorage (Alaska), among many others.

Asia

• Magnetic Hill — Leh, Ladakh (India)
  On the Srinagar–Leh highway at altitude; cars in neutral appear to creep “up.”
• Jeju “Mysterious Road” (Dokkaebi Road) — South Korea
  A staple stop on Jeju tours where the horizon plays tricks.
• Gansu “Magic Road” — China
  Frequently listed in global roundups of gravity hills.
• Mount Aragats — road to Lake Kari (Armenia)
  Bottles and cars demonstrate the effect en route to Armenia’s highest massif.
• Israel sites — Amuka area & Jabel Mukaber (Jerusalem)
  Often called “enchanted roads” by local guides.
• Thailand “Magic Hill” — Route 12 (Mae Sot–Tak)
  A signed roadside attraction along a scenic highway.
• Japan “Ghost Slopes” — multiple prefectures
  Surveyed spots in Okinawa (Kume-jima), Fukuoka (Okagaki), Iwate, and Kagoshima.

Oceania

• Straws Lane — Woodend, Victoria (Australia)
  Near Hanging Rock; Australia’s poster-child gravity hill.
• Magnetic Hill — Orroroo, South Australia (Australia)
  Signposted turnout on the Pekina Bypass Road.
• Moonbi & Bowen Mountain — New South Wales (Australia)
  NSW offers multiple entries featured in local lists.

Middle East & North Africa

• Turkey — Mudanya–Bursa corridor
  A commonly cited regional example of the phenomenon.
• Cyprus — see Paphos entry (above)
  Mediterranean hillside geometry makes the trick pop.
• Israel — multiple spots
  Noted around Amuka and within Jerusalem’s hill country.

Caribbean & Latin America

• Morgan Lewis area — Barbados
  A short stretch near St. Andrew where the illusion delights first-timers.
• El Polo Magnético — Polo, Dominican Republic
  Famous “magnetic” road where objects seem to climb.
• Argentina — Tandil (Buenos Aires), RP-12 near Gualjaina (Chubut), Las Lajitas (Jujuy)
  Several “mystery roads” reported across provinces.
• Costa Rica — “Cuesta magnética” Bijagua–Upala (Alajuela)
  A quick demo slope on a scenic northern route.
• Trinidad & Tobago — North Coast Road (near Maracas Bay)
  Known locally as the “magnetic road.”

How to Experience a Gravity Hill Safely

1. Choose a safe pull-off. Many popular sites have a lay-by or signage; if not, use hazard lights and stay well clear of traffic.
2. Set up correctly. Stop at the usual “start” point, shift to neutral, release the brake gently, and watch.
3. Try a small object. If traffic is busy, use a bottle or ball to observe the “uphill” roll instead of your car.
4. Film the horizon. Record with the skyline in frame; you’ll notice later how the tilted landscape fakes “level.”
5. Remember the science. It’s a horizon/landscape optical illusion—no magnets, no mysteries needed.

Know a good gravity hill we missed? Share the road name and nearest town, and we’ll add it to the list.