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Get Out on the Highway

Some of the most fascinating roadways in the world

By Rasma RaistersPublished 3 years ago 7 min read
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Europe

Iceland

Take the circle-shaped highway Route 1 in Iceland which goes around the islands of this country. Along the way, you can marvel at glaciers, ice caves, and waterfalls.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Beginning your journey from the capital Reykjavik Route 1 is ready to take you on a fantastic journey passing by tiny fishing villages and roaming herds of wild reindeer. You'll see the amazing Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, lovely Lake Mývatn and its hot springs and the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon.

Norway

The Atlantic Roadway is known as a National Tourist Route, It is part of Norway's National Road 64 and stretches for five miles, The roadway goes from island to island connecting the towns of Kristiansund and Molde and features four-view and rest areas. There are a series of low-lying bridges.

Storseisundet Bridge

It is a beautiful scenic route with twists and turns through one of Norway's most dramatic, stormy seas and across the impressive Storseisundet Bridge which is the tallest of this route's eight bridges.

Norway also has another exciting roadway Trollistigen which is also known as the Troll Ladder with eleven hairpin bends, It gets to 858 meters above sea level.

Stigfossen

The roadway is closed during the winter month and is visited by 600,000 travellers and tourists between June and October. It lies on the municipal boundary between Rauma and Norddal. From the north, Trollistigen is the gateway to Destination Geirangerfjord. Traveling this roadway you'll see the waterfall Stigfossen which is surrounded by mountains. The old pack road has been restored and is a footpath for those who want to explore this area on foot.

Ireland

You'll travel through the highest mountains and see the lovely sights on the Dingle Peninsula when you take Connor Pass a mostly one-way road in Ireland, This is one of the highest mountain passes in the country and offers a scenic way to cross from the north to the south coast of the Dingle Peninsula.

Kilmore Cross

The journey goes for 12km along this narrow and twisting road stretching between the town of Dingle on the south and Kilmore Cross on the north of the peninsula. At Kilmore Cross the road forks to CloghanaBrandon or Castlegregory, The views will leave you breathless with mountains, lakes, and valleys way down below.

Keep in mind that the steepest parts of the road weave around sharp cliffs and pass high corrie lakes. Some sections don't allow two cars to pass one another and be prepared to stop at wider sections.

Romania

Romania has a road known as Transfagarasan, which is a former military route that takes drivers on a 55-mile journey with plenty of twists and turns in Transylvania. You'll pass by Poenan Castle one of the castles of Dracula.

Poenen Castle

The road crosses the Fagaras Mountains at over 6,500 feet that are some of the highest points in Romania, It is a great road to take for a day trip while enjoying the wonderful scenery and stopping to enjoy hiking routes. You can enjoy the glacial Balea Lake and encounter sheep flocks as you go along.

Italy

Taking the twists and turns of the Amalfi Coast, Strada Statale 163 can be a challenge. This is one of the most breathtaking roads to travel in Europe and is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Amalfi

Your journey begins in the lovely city of Salermo and heads on toward teh west along the Sorrento Peninsula. Strada Statale is flanked by high cliffs on one side and on the other you can see the lovely Mediterranean Sea. You'll be passing by beautiful villages that perch in the clifftops such as Amalfi and Positano.

Asia

United Arab Emirates

The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road winds it way along the second highest peak in the United Arab Emirates. You'll get fantastic views from the town of Ai Ain as the road curves through a limestone mountain and ends at the mountain peak where you can find a hotel and restaurant.

China

In China, the Guoliang Tunnel is looked at as one of the most dangerous roads in the world, This mile-long tunnel stretches through a cliff that was chiseled out by 13 villagers.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, the Karakoram Highway begins north of Islamabad and stretches out for 800 miles ending in the city of Kashgar in the Xinjiang region of China. This is among the highest paved roads in the world with the highest elevation being at around 4,700 meters.

Karakoram Mountains

Traveling this road you'll go through some of the toughest but impressive terrains and pass by the glacial landscape of the Karakoram Mountains as you head into China. The road follows a path on the ancient Silk Road route.

India

The infamous Leh-Manali Highway heads through the Himalayan Mountain Range. This is a 428 km route that will take you through mountain passes that are so high you might get altitude sickness. It is a most challenging journey. The highway begins in northernmost India and connects Leh, one of the two capitals of the union territory of Ladakh to Manali in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Manali Solang Valley

The highway also connects the Manali Solang Valley to the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys and the Zanskar Valley.

Africa

South Africa

Chapman's Peak Drive begins at Noordhoek, a suburb of Cape Town and makes its way to Hout Bay. This five and a half mile route will take you along the side of Chapman's Peak along one of South Africa's most amazing coastlines.

Along this route there are 114 curves that are flanked by towering mountains and sheer drops to the Atlantic Ocean way down below, The route goes past picnic spots and whale-watching points.

Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand

Milford Road makes its way through Fiordland National Park in the heart of the Southern Alps. The road is part of State Highway 94 connecting the towns of Te Anau and Milford Sound.

Cleddau River

Along the way, you can see lakes, rainforests, and waterfalls. You'll see the lovely Mirror Lakes reflecting the Earl Mountains and the Cleddau River with amazing waterfalls until you reach Milford Sound.

Australia

The Great Ocean Road offers the rugged beauty of the southeastern coastal landscape. The road begins at Torquay and heads toward Warrnambool in the state of Victoria. Along the way, you can see beaches, restaurants, and museums.

Twelve Apostles

There are whale lookouts and places for surfing, It also passes by tourist spots like the Twelve Apostles which are a collection of limestone stacks.

North America

USA

North Carolina/Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway has earned the nickname America's Favorite Drive. You'll enjoy seeing the lovely landscape along the edges of Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina and journey to just outside of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Appalachian Mountains

For 469 miles you can enjoy the rugged Appalachian Mountains and rolling meadows, Blue Ridge Parkways passed by small mountain towns and scenic overlooks with panoramic views.

Arizona/Utah

US Route 163 is famous and has been seen in such movies as the 1939 western "Stagecoach" and the cult classic "Easy Rider." Taking this route you'll travel through Monument Valley, the red rock desert, and the fantastic spires of the Navajo country of Arizona and Utah.

San Juan River

The route crosses the San Juan River via a suspension bridge and finally ends in the little town of Bluff, a historic settlement among amazing 300-foot-high sandstone cliffs.

Utah

Road 12 has elevations that range from 5,000 feet to over 9,000 feet above sea level. It stretches through the rugged landscape of Utah between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park.

Dixie National Forest

Along the way, there are many tourist attractions to see such as the Dixie National Forest.

Florida

The Overseas Highway stretches along the railroad tracks that at one time crossed over the Florida Keys. The highway goes from the mainland of southern Florida to Key West going from island to island.

California

Highway One is listed among the most scenic roads in the US, It runs the length of California's coastline from south of Los Angeles to Mendocino County in the north. The most scenic stretch is in the Monterey region.

Bixby Creek Bridge

You'll pass through the lovely seaside town of Carmel-By-The-Sea and on to the rugged Big Sur coastline with amazing cliffs, towering redwoods, and the famous Bixby Creek Bridge.

South America

Argentina

Ruta 40 is a classic road in the western part of Argentina. The road stretches from Puna to Cabo Virgins, It is the longest road in the country. The road rises almost 18,000 feet above sea level, crosses 236 bridges, 18 major rivers, 13 lakes, and 20 reservations and national parks.

Abra del Acay

Taking this road you'll find yourself passing by the remote plains of Patagonia, heading northwards past the marvelous peaks of the Andes to the west. You'll pass by lakes and busy cities reaching the highest point at Abra del Acay, 4,952 meters above sea level until you reach the border town of La Quiaca.

Bolivia

North Yungas Road is an amazing road that had a rock cliff on one side and a 2,000-foot drop on the other. It is a one-lane road that on occasion gets closed into heavy fog.

This is a cycle route that connects the city of La Paz to the Yunges region of Bolivia, It has become a major La Paz tourist attraction. Unfortunately, the road is also known as the Death Road and is dangerous. Drivers must assess the distance of their wheels to the outer edge of the road.

travel advice
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About the Creator

Rasma Raisters

My passions are writing and creating poetry. I write for several sites online and have four themed blogs on Wordpress. Please follow me on Twitter.

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