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Sometimes, it’s all about the journey and not the
destination. Just imagine being alone in a car with nothing but hundreds
of kilometers of winding roads, unusual terrain and spectacular scenery
stretched out before you. This kind of journey can be an adventure in of
itself. No tours or all-inclusive resorts necessary: after stocking up
on fuel and snacks, setting out on an adventure of a lifetime through
mountains, woods, coastline and other incredible natural landscapes.
Many roads have their own charms, but there are certain highways in the
world that truly stand out as being a cut above the rest. Beautiful or
harrowing (and sometimes both), the following highways are certainly
going to remain in the memories of anyone who takes a road trip on them
and are well worth travelling at least once in a lifetime.
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Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway
This short section of County Road 64 in Norway runs through an
archipelago that is simply spectacular. The road, which takes drivers
from one quaint village to the next, passes by an unsheltered part of
the Norwegian Sea and connects an island with the mainland peninsula.
The road is built on several small islands that are connected by
causeways, viaducts and bridges. The road, considered one of the best
places to drive in the world, is a popular site for filming car
commercials. Scenery aside, the bridges themselves are scenic and
unforgettable, some looking like modern feats of architecture for the
way they seamlessly integrate with the scenery, and the drive is filled
with many opportunities to glimpse the ocean and ocean life, including
whales and seals. |
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Hana Highway in Maui
Hana Highway in Maui, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful drives in the
United States. The highway takes drivers through lush tropical
rainforest. Despite its beauty, it is also one of the most harrowing
drives in the United States. Although it is only 54 miles (or 84
kilometers) long, the road, which connects Kahului with the town of Hana
in Maui, actually takes around 2.5 hours to drive because it is narrow
and has many winds, twists and turns. The road passes over 59 bridges
(most of which are only one lane), including some that are over 100
years old, and there are over 600 curves along the route. |
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Rohtang Pass, India
If the drive isn’t hampered by massive landslides, inclement weather and
unpredictable traffic, a trip along Rohtang Pass in India proves to be
one of the most spectacular in the world, offering views of glaciers,
mountain peaks and rivers. Even though it is open only from May to
November, it is still considered dangerous because it is prone to
unpredictable snowstorms and blizzards. The pass is an ancient trade
route and today is one of the busiest routes in the summer months
because of both tourism and also because it is used as a route for
military vehicles and trucks. Snow and ice in certain parts of the road
and other rough terrain also make it a little slow and harrowing to
drive, but if you are slowed down, at least you’ll have plenty of time
to soak in some of the most unusual scenery in the world. |
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Col de l’Iseran, France
Col de l’Iseran is the highest paved pass in the Alps. Located near
France’s border with Italy, it is a spectacular part of the larger
“Route des Grandes Alpes” (or, Road of the Alps). It connects two
valleys and includes galleries and tunnels. On the northern side of the
road are popular ski resorts. The road is only accessible in the summer
months, though in the winter the area is accessed by a series of pistes
and ski lifts. Nearby are waterfalls and other scenic areas. It is a
memorable sight to see and has been used in a challenging stretch in the
Tour de France. |
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National Route 40 (Ruta 40), Argentina
This incredible highway spans 3,000 miles from the arid northern border
of Argentina to the country’s cool, mountainous southern tip, crossing a
huge variety of landscapes. It also runs parallel to the massive Andes
Mountains the entire stretch. While it is well-maintained and paved in
the northern and central parts of the country, the southern part of the
route is largely unpaved as the area is so sparsely populated, and as
such, has become a destination for adventure tourists. Ruta 40 is one of
the largest highways in the world, crossing 20 national parks, dozens of
rivers, dozens of mountain passes and its highest point is 5,000 m (or
16,404 feet).
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US 1 from Key Largo to Key West, Florida
This drive is about as idyllic and scenic as you can get. Imagine
endless blue ocean spread out before your eyes, and that is exactly what
this drive encompasses. US1 is a major north-south highway running from
Maine all the way down to Florida, but it’s the Florida Keys part that
is especially unforgettable. The highway runs through the island chain,
connecting the system of islands with long bridges passing over warm
waters and coral reefs. At certain times during the drive, it appears as
though you are simply driving on the ocean itself. After enjoying such a
paradise of a drive, it might actually be disappointing to arrive at
your destination.
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Trollstigen Road, Norway
The translation of the name of this road literally means “troll ladder,”
and is a name befitting the road as it is a steep, winding road with a
waterfall at the top. The serpentine shape of the road connects a town
to a small village, and is a popular tourist destination because it is
narrow, has 11 hairpin bends on a steep mountainside, making it a
harrowing drive. Since drivers will be concentrating on the road, there
is a car park at the top with viewing areas overlooking the road and a
waterfall. It is usually closed in the winter.
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The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, Canada
Canada has a lot of natural beauty and its highway system shows it off
coast to coast, but Cabot Trail, which is in Nova Scotia, is a
particularly memorable stretch to drive. It runs through the Cape Breton
Highlands and was constructed as part of an effort to attract tourists
to the region and promote its Scottish feel and heritage. The northern
part of this highway passes through Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
The western and eastern parts of the highway follow the rugged coastline
and provide views of the ocean. |
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The Milford Road (State Highway 94), New Zealand
New Zealand is notorious for its mountains and rivers, and this road is
one of the country’s most scenic to drive along. It’s one of the highest
highways in terms of elevation in the country, and also one of the
country’s more dangerous public roads. It passes through townships and a
tunnel called the Homer Tunnel, and crosses the Main Divide of the
Southern Alps. The scenery is reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings
movies.
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The Blue Ridge Parkway in Appalachia
This drive is considered one of the most beautiful in the United States.
The parkway runs 469 miles (755 km) through Virginia and North Carolina
along the Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is a part of the
Appalachian mountains. The drive encompasses spectacular mountain
scenery, beautiful rivers and creeks, and limestone caves. The
southernmost part of the highway ends at the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park in North Carolina. Although it is not considered a
National Park in itself, it is the most visited place within the
National Park system in the United States. |
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