Top 10 Scenic Drives of the World

After visiting the scenic drives of the United States of America and taking a look at one man’s epic journeys across the country, we thought it was time to glance at the most spectacular scenic drives of the world. Searching the internet far and wide we have gathered 10 of the most breathtaking, remarkable and unique roads Earth has to offer.

This blog post will take you across six continents as we rank the Top 10 Scenic Drives of the World:

10. Irohazaka, Japan

waterfall and Chuzenji lake

Irohazaka consists of two winding roads, built in 1954 and 1965, and they connect Nikko with Okunikko region. The Irohazaka Winding Roads have 48 hairpin turns as they travel from lower to higher elevations in the Okunikko mountain regions. The roads are split up. The older road is only open to downward traffic, while the newer road only allows upward traffic on it. The older road has a rest stop, which overlooks two waterfalls. The newer one takes you up to Akechidaira Plateau, which has an observation deck with views of the road itself and the valley below it.

If you plan to travel the Irohazaka, the best time to embark on the journey is in the fall. The spectacular autumn colors give a unique view of the region. Going upwards you can take a detour to explore the nearby observation decks and hiking trails or you can visit Chuzenji Lake when you reach the top. The road also gives a glimpse into Japanese culture with the numerous shrines and temples located near the road.

9. Amalfi Coast Drive, Italy

view of Atrani, one of the many picturesque villages along the coastal road

The Costiera Amalfitana or Amalfi Coast offers one of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Italy. It got a spot on the World Heritage list in 1997. Numerous villages and small towns line the coast, with the most famous of them being Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. Following the Strada Statale 163 as it twists and turns along the Amalfi Coast will provide you with remarkable swooping landscapes and views of the Mediterranean Sea on one side, while the other one is covered by towering cliffs that hide picturesque small towns.

The Amalfi Coast Drive begins at Salerno and it passes numerous small villages that have maintained their vintage charm (like Vietri sul Mare with its beautiful ceramics). Along the way, the road provides remarkable coastal viewpoint, sandy beaches and historical sites. The elevated town of Ravello is one of the most romantic places in the country, while Amalfi offers beautiful scenery, beaches and is the home of the Duomo di Sant'Andrea cathedral. You can also take a walk on the Valle dei Mulini in Amalfi. After this town you will be greeted by impressive gorges and beautiful coastal villages.

8. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan and China

view of the Karakoram mountain range near Passu village

The Karakoram Highway, or KKH for short, is an 810 mile long national highway connecting Pakistan with China. This highway is the highest paved roads in the world as it passes through the Karakoram mountain range and it is called the Eighth Wonder of the World. It is known as the “Friendship Highway” of Pakistan and China due to their joint efforts to build the road.

The highway is a popular with adventure tourism, but its high elevation and difficult terrain can make it a dangerous trip. Anyone who plans to visit the highway must take the necessary percussions to ensure their safety. Landslides can block the road and are common during monsoon season, while the temperatures rise to unbearable degrees in the summer on some parts of it. The best time to travel the road is in spring and autumn. Despite the rugged conditions, the road offers beautiful scenery of the surrounding landscape.

7. The Great Ocean Road, Australia

the Twelve Apostles

The 100 year old Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay to Allansford along the continent’s southern coastline. The road gives a glimpse into the coastal scenery as is passes small towns, natural phenomena and wildlife reserves as it runs for 151 miles. The road was dedicated to fallen World War I soldiers and it is the world’s longest war memorial. It is a popular tourist destination as it hugs the coast throughout its stretch.

The road passes along remarkable scenery and landscapes. The Twelve Apostles, located in the Port Campbell National Park, are large limestone structures located in the Southern Ocean that provide an interesting site. The coastline is the home of a number of sandy beaches and hiking trails. The Great Otway National Park offers an elevated treetop walk, while its Otway Fly Zipline Tour zips 98 feet above the forest floor. The Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve gives a glimpse into the wildlife of the area, while at Queenscliff you can swim with dolphins. The Narana Aboriginal Cultural Center in Geelong offers insight into the history and culture of aboriginal people.

6. The Icefields Parkway, Canada

view of the Saskatchewan River Crossing

The Icefields Parkway runs through two national parks: Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. It links lake Louise with Jasper, Alberta. This parkway is a 144 mile long road that offers breathtaking scenery and recreational activities. There are more than 100 ancient glaciers, waterfalls, interesting rock spires and beautiful lakes along the road. Driving on the parkway, you will get a glimpse into the Canadian landscape.

The parkway takes you through the landscape, offering stops at the most remarkable natural scenery. There are numerous hiking trails, overlooks, summits along the road, starting with Bow Lake, Bow Summit and the glacier-fed lake Peyto. Following the trail, you will arrive at the Saskatchewan River crossing where three rivers meet. The Weeping Wall at Cirrus Mountain is a 330 feet high series of waterfalls that make it seem as the mountain wall is crying. The road gives a front-seat view of the Parker Ridge and the Columbia Icefield, where the unique Glacier SkyWalk enables you to view the Sunwapta Valley from 918 feet in the air.

5. Transfăgărășan Highway, Romania

The Transfăgărășan (Transfagarasan) Highway is a paved mountain road in Romania which crosses the southern part of the Carpathian Mountains. This 56 mile road was built in the 1970s and it is the second highest paved road in the country as it runs through the Făgăraș Mountains. The road was named “the best road in the world” by the British TV show Top Gear. The road features numerous hairpin turns and dark tunnels, the longest of them being 2900 feet long.

Remarkable mountain scenery and landscapes follow you as you drive along the highway. The road gives access to the Bâlea Lake, a glacier lake in the Făgăraș Mountains, and Bâlea Waterfall. The large number of tunnels and viaducts provide a mysterious and dark feeling to the road as it runs into Dracula’s territory of Transylvania. The southern section of the road is the home of Poenari Castle, located near the village of Arefu. This castle was the residence of Vlad the Impaler, the person on whom Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula is based on.

4. Atlantic Road, Norway

aerial view of the road and islands

The Atlantic Road or Atlantic Ocean Road is one of the shorter roads on the list. At just 5.2 miles it runs through an island group in Norway, between the villages of Kårvåg and Vevang. The road is preserved as a cultural heritage site and a National Touring Route. The road has eight bridges and four resting places and viewpoints along its stretch.

The road is a popular tourist destination with its dining, fishing and scuba diving resorts that have been founded on the island groups. As the road runs along the island groups by the Atlantic Ocean, it provides breathtaking views of the surrounding area. You can visit small fishing villages, like Bjørnsund and Håholmen, or one of the many campsites. The four resting and viewpoint places, with the interesting viewing platforms offer a unique look at the landscape. From the road, you can also visit the attractions the islands have to offer, such as the Marble Mines of Bergtatt.

3. Milford Road, New Zealand

the view from Milford Sound

Milford Road is a 74 mile long stretch of road that connects Te Anau to Milford Sound. This road gives a glimpse into the beauty of Fiordland. The time needed to travel this road is larger than the distance suggests, as the twists and turns and numerous stops, lengthen the time spent on the road.

The road offers numerous attractions. From the Eglinton Valley to Milford Sound it is filled with remarkable scenery, landscapes and recreational activities. The once glacier ice filled Eglinton Valley has steep rock slides and a flat tussock floor that offers a truly surreal scenery. The Mirror Lakes and the Earl Mountains give a spectacular view, while the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain provides a one-of-a-kind, natural optical illusion. Lake Gunn offers a hiking trail, allowing you to stretch your legs. The special Homer Tunnel, cut from solid granite, is a tunnel leading the Milford Sound. Before Milford, be sure to take a walk to see The Chasm, a remarkable waterfall.

2. Ruta 40, Argentina

famous handprints from Cueva de las Manos

This 3,107 mile long National Route connects Cabo Virgenes with La Quiaca and runs parallel to the Andes Mountains. This road provides a versatile scenery, from bustling cities to completely isolated stretches far from civilization, the road is not meant for novice drivers. The harsh road conditions, some parts are not paved, not marked and without protection rails, making it difficult to navigate on it.

This round runs through the entire country north to south and passes numerous provinces along its way. It connects 20 national parks that offer great recreational activities such as hiking trails that allow you to stretch your legs before the road becomes rougher. The route’s highest elevation is at Abra del Acay. Along the way, be sure to stop at the Cueva de las Manos, a series of caves in Santa Cruz most famous for the over 800 black, white, red and ochre handprints from which it gets its name. The route takes you all the way to the Cabo Vírgenes, the southeastern tip of continental Argentina.

1. Chapman’s Peak Drive, South Africa

view of Hout Bay

The Chapman’s Peak Drive is a 5.6 mile long toll road that skirts Chapman’s Peak, a southern extension of the Constantia Berg. This road follows the rocky coastline and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area as it forms a gateway from Cape Town to the South Peninsula. This short road starts at Hout Bay, climbs up to Chapman’s Peak before descending to Noordhoek.

The surrounding area provides various activities to keep you busy. Starting at Hout Bay, which is an active fishing harbor, you can stop and shop at the art and antique shops. Noordhoek is one of the last remaining rural areas in the country and it gives a glimpse into the rural lifestyle of the area with interesting tourist attractions. The Cape Point Nature Reserve of the Cape of Storms or the Cape of Good Hope provides hiking trails and a glimpse into the wildlife of the region to visitors. It is also the home of one of the world’s highest sea cliffs.