Repost This ArticleThe original edition sparked so much debate among readers that we had to revisit the subject.
[Editor's note: This list is based almost entirely on reader comments from the original post, The World's Most Spectacular Roads. Plus a couple of my personal favorites.]
1
Milford Road
Not to be confused with the famous Milford Track trekking route, the Milford Road State Highway 94 passes through the Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island.Photo: macronix
2
Stelvio Pass
48 hairpin turns up to a 2757m (9045ft) pass in the Italian Alps, and Top Gear's pick for "greatest driving road in the world."Photo: Damian Morys Foto
3
Great Ocean Road
This coastal road in Victoria, Australia, runs for 241km, between Torquay and Warrnambool. The car-less might consider the Great Ocean Walk as an alternative.Photo: Stas KuleshIntermission
4
Chalus Road, Iran
Tehran is connected to the northern city of Chalus via this road through the Alborz Mountains. Check this site for more images.Photo: ninara
5
Cabot Trail
Wrapping around northern Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, the Cabot Trail is mountainous and windy with near-constant ocean views. I recommend biking it.Photo: kennymatic
6
Interstate 70, Glenwood Springs, CO
The Colorado River, of Grand Canyon fame, carved this canyon billions of years ago. The U.S. government built the 12-mile, $490 million interstate route through it, which was only completed in 1992.Photo: Payton Chung
7
Millau Bridge
Southern France's Millau Bridge is the tallest in the world -- taller, actually, than the Eiffel Tower.Photo: tibchris
8
Karakoram Highway
The "highest paved international road in the world" connects Pakistan with Xinjiang, China. It is currently closed at the Hunza Valley due to a massive landslide.Photo: Umair Mohsin
9
Snowdonia, Wales
Mountainous northern Wales is traversed by many of these ancient, narrow, stone-walled roads. I've experienced the challenge of navigating them at night. With oncoming traffic. Car renters beware.Photo: Richard0Intermission
10
Ice road, Northwest Territories
Winter means greater accessibility in northern Canada. This frozen road runs up the Northwest Territories.Photo: madmack66
11
Chapman's Peak road
Another great coastal road, this one just 15 miles south of Cape Town, South Africa .Photo: Raveesh Vyas
12
Peru mountain pass
Most mountain pass roads in Peru qualify as "spectacular." This one runs north from the Sacred Valley town of Ollantaytambo and is part of the car route to Machu Picchu.Photo: ThiagoJ
13
Liwa desert highway
Roads through the desert oasis of Liwa, Abu Dhabi, stretch long.Photo: Luca Assen
14
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
The only route through Glacier National Park was featured in the opening scenes of "The Shining."Photo: Colin Gregory Palmer
15
Mývatn, Iceland
Mývatn is a volcanically active region in northern Iceland. This road will take you there.Photo: Francesco_GIntermission
16
Seven Mile Bridge
U.S. Highway 1 runs for miles over the water, connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland. It includes this long span of bridge.Photo: milan.boers
17
Gotthard Pass, Alps
Traveling north from Italy into Switzerland, you'll come to Gotthard Pass, which you can cross on either the new, straightforward road, or the old roller coaster above. My money's on the latter.Photo: Mikael Miettinen
18
High Atlas pass
I recently drove over the 2260m Tichka Pass in Morocco on my way to Zagora to ride a camel. The pass was cooler. No offense, camel.Photo: cliffwilliams
19
Pacific Coast Highway, California
This is the only road getting reprised from the original post. It seems to deserve it.Photo: tibchris
20
Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
The roads of western Ireland are narrow, flanked by green, and sometimes charmed.Photo: ktylerconk
Hal Amen
Hal Amen is managing editor at Matador. His personal travel blog is WayWorded.
Beautiful roads surrounded by nature. My favorite is road at Dingle Peninsula, Ireland.
Wow!
spectacularno!
If you go to the Going to the Sun Rd. in Glacier make sure it’s not until at least July. We were there the end of June and it was still snow covered and impassable.
I’d always wanted to go there. We’re about 3,000 miles away.
I remember this road well….wish that it had more guardrails…
never knew these facts, especially about korakaram highway. will surely drive there!
never knew these facts, especially about korakaram highway. will surely drive there!
never knew these facts, especially about korakaram highway. will surely drive there!
never knew these facts, especially about korakaram highway. will surely drive there!