If you’re looking for excitement that will make your heart racing and your soul soar, a gorgeous road trip is just what the doctor ordered. However, we have found 12 Most Scenic Roads In The World. We’re talking about soaring mountaintops with frozen snow crowns, serpentine roads that hug the cliff edges, breathtaking ocean views, and lush valleys.
These are the routes that call to us, leading us to the world’s hidden corners. They are the veins that connect us to the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, allowing us to witness nature’s raw beauty and untamed vitality.
So brace on, because we’ve got plenty of “pinch me, I’m dreaming” spots in store. From the breathtaking beaches of Norway to the towering peaks of Austria, we are talking about the 12 Most Scenic Roads In The World.
1. Trollstigen Norway
Prepare for a drive as dramatic as a Viking legend! Trollstigen, or the “Troll’s Ladder,” is a marvel of Norwegian architecture that will have you wondering whether the road builders had a few too many aquavits.
This masterpiece makes its way up a steep mountainside with 11 hairpin curves, each of which provides a unique perspective on the breathtaking fjord panorama. As you navigate the twists and turns, you’ll come across roaring waterfalls and steep rock cliffs that appear to touch the sky. At the summit, the Trollstigen viewing platform provides a view so breathtaking that you may just believe in trolls after all. Just remember to take it leisurely. This route is more about taking up the sights than breaking any speed.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia/North Carolina
This trek through the heart of Appalachia is unlike any other! The Blue Ridge Parkway is like the American Southeast’s greatest hits CD, including misty mountain vistas, colourful wildflower meadows, and lovely tiny villages.
This leisurely path takes you into the old Appalachian Mountains, past flowing waterfalls and deep woodlands. Keep an eye out for black bears and wild turkeys; they’re the residents here. And if you visit in the autumn, be prepared for an unforgettable leaf-peeping experience. Just remember to bring your hiking boots—with over 200 views, you’ll want to stretch your legs and explore!
3. Lindis Pass New Zealand
The Lindis Pass in New Zealand is like driving through a scene from “The Lord of the Rings” (but without the orcs, happily). This meandering route traverses the Southern Alps, providing panoramic vistas of tussock-covered hills and rocky mountain peaks.
It’s a harsh yet gorgeous environment, with golden grasses flowing in the breeze and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Keep a watch out for wild Kea parrots; these cheeky birds are notorious for their mischievous behaviour and may try to catch a ride in your automobile!
4.Transfăgărășan Romania
This Romanian road trip is a hidden gem, a twisting mountain pass that is frequently likened to the Stelvio Pass (but with less tourists!). The Transfăgărășan ascends across the Carpathian Mountains, providing stunning vistas of forested valleys, glacial lakes, and towering summits.
It’s the ideal road vacation for explorers, with plenty of options for hiking, camping, and off-road exploration. If you’re a history geek, visit Poenari Citadel, a mediaeval fortification located high on a rock.
5. Amalfi Drive Italy
Consider a route that is equal parts thrilling and dangerous, with a healthy dose of Italian flair. This is the Amalfi Drive for you! This coastal route winds along the cliffs of the Sorrentine Peninsula, providing stunning vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and picture-perfect settlements perched perilously on the hillsides.
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As you manoeuvre the hairpin corners (with white knuckles, no doubt), you’ll see lemon groves, colourful cottages, and pretty tiny beaches. Remember to keep your eyes on the road; staring at the sights while driving here may result in an unexpected Italian swimming lesson!
6. Grossglockner Alpine Road Austria
Prepare to yodel your way over the Austrian Alps. The Grossglockner Alpine Road is the ticket to high-altitude adventure. This mountain route leads up to Austria’s highest peak, providing breathtaking panoramic views.
As you climb, you’ll pass through a variety of temperature zones, from lush meadows covered with wildflowers to austere, rocky terrain near the summit. Keep a watch out for marmots, the Alps’ unofficial mascots. If you’re feeling bold, take a diversion to the skywalk for breathtaking vistas.
7. Monument Valley Scenic Drive Arizona
Saddle up, partners! The Monument Valley Scenic Drive is a dusty desert road that leads through a scenery of towering sandstone buttes and mesas that appear to defy gravity. It’s the kind of spot that makes you want to put on a cowboy hat and ride out into the sunset.
As you ride along the 12 Most Scenic Roads In The World, you will feel as if you have been transported back in time to the Old West. Just keep an eye out for tumbleweeds and bring some extra water; it may get hotter than a billy goat in a pepper patch out there!
8.Calanques de Piana Corsica
The Calanques de Piana in Corsica is a short but delightful route that runs through towering red granite cliffs and past crystal-clear blue pools. It’s as if someone combined the best aspects of the Mediterranean into one mind-blowing drive.
Keep an eye out for the ‘heart of Corsica’, a heart-shaped hole in the rock that has become an Instagram sensation. If you’re feeling daring, head down to one of the secluded beaches for a brief swim. Just watch out for the local goats, which have a propensity of wandering onto the road and surprising vehicles!
9.Hai Van Pass Vietnam
Ready to take a journey on the “Ocean Cloud Pass”? The Hai Van Pass in Vietnam is a roller coaster of a road that will have you oohing and aahing with each bend. This mountain route connects Da Nang to Hue and provides breathtaking views of the East Sea and the lush vegetation below.
As you navigate the switchbacks, you’ll see historic fortifications and remains of Vietnam’s complicated history. When you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a postcard-perfect view: misty mountains on one side and dazzling ocean on the other. Just remember to honk your horn around those blind corners; you never know what’s coming the other way!
10. Chapman’s Peak Drive South Africa
Prepare for some intense drama, for Chapman’s Peak Drive near Cape Town is a cliff-hugging masterpiece with breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. This route winds and bends through the slope, with precipitous drops on one side and towering cliffs on the other.
It’s like driving on the edge of the earth, and the view is so breathtaking that you’ll want to stop at every lookout point (there are several!). Don’t forget to bring your camera; this is a road trip you’ll want to remember forever. One of the most gorgeous roads in the 12 Most Scenic Roads In The World.
11. Atlantic Road Norway
The Atlantic Road is another Norwegian engineering marvel that travels across islands and skerries, connecting by bridges that appear to vanish into the horizon.
As you cruise along, with the wild North Sea pounding against the rocks below, you suddenly find yourself soaring over the water on a bridge that appears to touch the sky. It’s similar to riding a roller coaster but with far better views. And if you’re lucky, you might see some whales breaching in the distance!
12. Icefields Parkway Canada
Canada’s Icefields Parkway is North America’s closest approach to a winter paradise. This roadway winds through the Canadian Rockies, providing views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and, of course, the huge Icefields that inspired the parkway’s name.
It’s a road trip that will make you feel like you’re in a nature documentary, with plenty of wildlife encounters (look for elk, bears, and possibly even a moose!). Just remember to bring your warmest clothing because even in the summer, temperatures can be frigid.