You don’t have to be a true gearhead to enjoy these most scenic drives in the world; you just have like driving through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. And let’s be frank, who doesn’t like that?
Not all of these amazing roads and bridges are located in countries with the best roads in the world. Some can be found in places you don’t usually associate with good infrastructure. Sure, the asphalt can be patchy here and there, but that doesn’t take away from their beauty and enjoyment you get from driving on them. Somehow, less-than-perfect conditions only add to their allure. Besides, asking which are the countries with the best roads in the world isn’t something real gearheads worry about. Rather, they ask which are the world’s craziest roads, because they are usually far more fun to drive on.
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In order to rank the most scenic drives in the world, we have consulted several sources. Some of them are created by experts; whiles others are based on popular opinion. By combining them, we feel that we have managed to create an ultimate list of the most beautiful roads in the world, guaranteed to provide you with both adrenaline rush and awe caused by the breathtaking scenery they pass through. Our sources include Popular Mechanics, The Culture Trip, Telegraph, The Luxury Travel Expert, and Lifehack. A word of warning, some of these can be routinely found on the lists of the world’s deadliest roads, so exercise caution before putting the pedal to the metal while cruising them.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of these scenic drives are located abroad. For instance, there are many beautiful roads in India, but we tried to keep our selection as varied as possible, in order to create a list that covers most of the globe. If you prefer domestic roads only, we have another list, that of most beautiful states to drive through in America, where you can find plenty of recommendations for some amazing scenic roads and routes.
Any discussion on the world’s best highways can’t be complete without mentioning Top Gear and their quest for the most beautiful road in the world. We took the time to clear the confusion on the topic and you can see below which is the world’s greatest road, according to Clarkson, May, and Hammond.
16. Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse (Grossglockner High Alpine Road)
Location: Austria
The name alone gives you goosebumps. Any road with High Alpine in its name is guaranteed to provide you with a trill while negotiating its bends and twist surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Built in the 1930s during the Great Depression, as a mean of providing employment for at least some of Austria’s vast army of unemployed workers, Grossglockner High Alpine Road was ridiculed as one of many government’s blunders. The expected number of 120,000 visitors annually was especially deemed delusional. Yet, in 1938, 375,000 people were visiting remote Alpine valleys made accessible by the project, and soon the road was enlarged to accommodate increased traffic. Sometimes, even the government can get it right.
15. Wild Snowdonia
Location: Wales, United Kingdom
A470 road is usually divided into two routes, North and South. If you can take just one, we would recommend the North rote, passing through Snowdonia national park. Dotted with small towns and villages with unpronounceable names, like Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Dolgellau, Betws y Coed, and Blaenau Ffestiniog, this scenic drive really captures the wild beauty of Wales and its mountains. There are plenty of tourist attractions along the way to keep you occupied, as the old bridge in Llanrwst and famous Conway Castle is also nearby.
14. Tuinroete (Garden Route)
Location: South Africa
The 190 miles of the road following the southern coast of South Africa connects Mossel Bay and Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park. Squeezed between stunning mountains and the Indian Ocean, the scenic route offers an unparalleled view, while you cruise through South African premiere vine country. The best thing about this drive is that it can be enjoyed all year long, due to a mild climate and prevailing pleasant weather.
13. Going-to-the-Sun-Road
Location: Montana, United States
Located in Glacier National Park in Montana, Going-to-the-Sun-Road or Sun Road is less than 50 miles long, but 50 miles those are. One of the hardest roads to maintain during winter due to massive amounts of snowfall (Logan Pass has a recorded 80 feet of snow), it is the roads best enjoyed during warm months.
12. The Atlantic Road
Location: Norway
A 5.2 mile stretch of County Road 64 is rightly considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. Connecting Averøy with the mainland, it is built at a significant cost over a series of small islands and rocky outcrops of the Norwegian Sea.
11. Karakoram Highway
Location: Pakistan, China
Part of the legendary Silk Road used to connect Europe with the Far East, Karakoram Highway is still a vital trade route today, connecting China with Pakistan and countries further west. On its way through magnificent Karakoram mountains, it reaches the height of 15,466 ft, making it one of the highest paved roads in the world.
10. Amalfi Drive (Strada Statale 163)
Location: Amalfi Coast, Italy
Built atop the ancient Roman road, Amalfi Drive follows the Italian coast between Amalfi and Sorento. Carved in the cliffs overlooking the azure waters of Tyrrhenian Sea, it is one of the most scenic drives in the world.
9. Tianmen Mountain Road
Location: China
Barely six miles in length, Tianmen Mountain Road which ranks 9th on our list of most scenic drives in the world, manages to pack a lot in that short distance. The road consists of 99 bends and the height difference between its start and finish is almost 4,000 feet. A powerful rear-drive car can get into some serious drifting here.
8. Stelvio Pass
Location: Italy, Switzerland
The unmistakable aura of the legendary British late 1960s movie The Italian Job is just one of the reasons why this road was proclaimed the most beautiful road in the world by Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond. It consists of 75 hairpin turns glued on the side of Tyrolean Alps, reaching the height of almost 10,000 feet. This one is also one of the world’s deadliest roads. As if one needs more reasons to visit Italy.
And now, let’s see the top 7 most beautiful roads in the world.
7. Trollstigen (Trolls Road)
Location: Norway
Carved into the cliffs, Trollstigen, the number 7 on our list of most scenic drives in the world does feel like it was built by trolls, as some of its bends and bridges are simply unbelievable. The engineering wonder is set up against the backdrop of beautiful Norwegian mountains, making it even more appealing to motorists looking form scenic, yet challenging drives.
6. Transfagarasan Highway
Location: Romania
This is the road that dethroned legendary Stelvio Pass as the world’s best road. It only took Top Gear trio one look at this magnificent asphalt ribbon squirming up the Transylvanian mountains to decide that Transfagarasan is the ultimate driving experience.
5. Milford Road
Location: New Zealand
Connecting Te Anau to Milford Sound, Milford road, which ranks 5th on our list of most scenic drives in the world, is one of the most stunning roads in the world. On its way to the Pacific, it passes through Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area, both filled with spectacular sights on untouched nature of the Southern Alps. It is easy to see why Peter Jackson choose New Zealand to film his Lord of the Rings trilogy.
4. Great Ocean Road
Location: Australia
The most scenic drive in the Land Down Under, Great Ocean road justifies its name once you find yourself on it behind the wheel. Opened in 1932, the road stretches 151 miles hugging the south coast of Victoria state. The road was built by the Australian veterans returning for the Great War, as a monument to their fellow servicemen killed in the war. It is considered the world’s largest war memorial.
3. Chapman’s Peak Drive
Location: South Africa
We are continuing our list of most scenic drives in the world with Chapman’s Peak Drive, AKA Chappies, which is one of the most popular touristic sites in South Africa. The mountain road provides you with a perfect opportunity to blast Toto’s Afrika and just enjoy the immense beauty of the scenery.
2. Ruta 40 (Route 40)
Location: Argentina
Stretching parallel to the Andes Mountains, Route 40 is 3,100 miles long, rivaling US Route 66, Trans-Canada Highway, and Stuart Highway in Australia for the title of the longest road in the world. As such, it isn’t a road that can be experienced in a short trip. Regardless, the mere diversity of the regions it passes true is enough to guarantee enjoyment to any driving enthusiast.
1. Highway One (California State Route 1)
Location: Monterey County, California
Even if you have never been to California, chances are you have seen this road in one of hundreds Hollywood movies it was featured in, especially Pacific Coast Highway. Highway One is one of the most iconic pieces of asphalt and deservedly claims the top spot among the most scenic drives in the world.
