Weekend Drives
Short 1-2 day road trips for a weekend break — perfect for exploring nearby coast, mountains, and countryside without committing to a full holiday. 237 curated drives with mapped stops, distance, duration, and route notes — including Route 66, Overseas Highway, Icefields Parkway.
These 237 routes range from 20 to 7820 km and from 1 to 5 days, across 101 countries. Top picks: Route 66, Overseas Highway, Icefields Parkway.
LegendaryRoute 66The Mother Road. From Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 is America's original road trip, neon diners, desert motels, and wide-open sky that defined a nation on wheels.
IconicOverseas HighwayUS-1 leaves the Florida mainland and drives 230km over 42 bridges across the Florida Keys, the highway that goes to sea. Turquoise flats on both sides, pelicans on every railing, and America's most southerly point at the end.
LegendaryIcefields ParkwayOne of the most spectacular mountain drives on Earth. Highway 93 runs through the Canadian Rockies from Banff to Jasper, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and peaks over 3,000 m at every turn.
IconicSea to Sky HighwayBC-99 from Vancouver to Whistler is one of the world's great short drives, Howe Sound's fjord on one side, the Coast Mountains on the other, threading through old-growth forest past tumbling waterfalls and into a world-class mountain town.
LegendaryBeartooth HighwayThis iconic alpine drive climbs from Red Lodge, Montana to the Beartooth Plateau and down toward Cooke City, threading past hairpin switchbacks, glacial lakes, and broad tundra views. It is one of the highest paved roads in North America, with nonstop scenery and crisp mountain air.
LegendaryRoad to HānaThe Hāna Highway winds along Maui's dramatic northeastern coastline through 59 bridges and 620 curves, bamboo forests, hidden black-sand beaches, waterfalls tumbling into the sea, and one of the most lush drives on Earth.
LegendaryGoing-to-the-Sun RoadThe only road that crosses the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park threads through the most dramatic mountain scenery in the American Rockies, hanging valleys, waterfalls cascading across the road, and grizzly bears roadside.
LegendaryCabot TrailCape Breton's Cabot Trail is one of the most scenic drives in North America, the road climbs over the Cape Breton Highlands, drops to sea-level fishing villages, and traces cliff edges with 300m drops into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
IconicDeath Valley CircuitThe lowest, hottest, driest national park on Earth, and one of its most spectacular. Golden badlands, salt flats at 86m below sea level, rainbow-painted hills, and dunes that hum when the sand shifts in the wind.
IconicMillion Dollar HighwayColorado’s Million Dollar Highway is the dramatic stretch of US 550 between Silverton and Ouray, threading over Red Mountain Pass through steep alpine scenery, old mining country, and sheer canyon walls. Expect tight curves, dramatic overlooks, and one of the Rockies’ most memorable short drives.
IconicSeward HighwayThis classic Alaska drive runs from downtown Anchorage south to Seward, following Turnagain Arm past tidal mudflats, glacier-capped peaks, and roadside viewpoints. It’s a straightforward paved route, but the scenery demands frequent stops for hikes, wildlife viewing, and overlooks along Kenai Peninsula’s dramatic coast.
IconicOlympic Peninsula LoopThis classic loop circles Washington’s Olympic Peninsula from Seattle or Tacoma into a landscape of rain forest, wild Pacific beaches, glacier-capped peaks, and mountain passes. Follow forest highways to Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, Ruby Beach, and the shores of Lake Quinault for a compact, varied Pacific Northwest road trip.
NotableGreat River RoadThe Great River Road follows the Mississippi River through ten states, linking river towns, levee roads, historic downtowns, and wide floodplain scenery. Drive from Itasca State Park in Minnesota to the Gulf coast at Venice, Louisiana for a classic American road trip rich in birdlife, steamboat history, and changing river landscapes.
LegendaryMilford Sound DriveFiordland is New Zealand's wildest corner, a frayed landscape of mountains sliced with fjords. The only road into Milford Sound from Te Anau follows Lake Te Anau's inland fjord shores, traverses the Eglinton Valley, passes the Mirror Lakes, climbs to the Divide through the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel, then descends steeply into mountain-rimmed Milford Sound.
IconicGreat Alpine RoadVictoria's B500 climbs over the Australian Alps from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale, the highest sealed road in Australia, through snow gum forests, Mount Hotham ski resorts, and the gold-rush valley of Harrietville.
IconicGreat Barrier Reef DriveThis classic tropical coast drive follows the Captain Cook Highway from Cairns to Port Douglas, skimming rainforest-clad headlands, palm beaches, and the Coral Sea. It is one of Australia’s most accessible scenic routes, with easy stops for lookouts, swimming beaches, and reef-day-trip departures.
LegendaryThe DolomitesThe Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, the Great Dolomites Road from Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo through the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Alps. Huge cathedrals of rock, the Val di Fassa, the Sella Ronda massif, the Alta Badia, and vertiginous switchbacks between peaks of 3,168m and 3,218m.
LegendaryGrossglockner High Alpine RoadThere's a reason the Grossglockner Road is often cited as the finest drive in the Alps, a 48 km rollercoaster of sheer glacier-encrusted mountains, waterfalls, forested slopes, jewel-coloured lakes, and 4,000 m peaks on almost every distractingly lovely bend. The crown is Grossglockner itself at 3,798 m, Austria's highest peak, and the rapidly retreating Pasterze Glacier below the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe lookout.
LegendaryTrollstigenThe Troll's Path, eleven hairpins on a 10% gradient rising 850m above the Istra valley, with the 180m Stigfossen waterfall cascading alongside the road. Norway's most dramatic single route descends to Geiranger, the country's most celebrated fjord.
LegendaryTransfăgărășan, RomaniaThe road Jeremy Clarkson called the best in the world, the Transfăgărășan Highway slices through the Southern Carpathians from Wallachia to Transylvania with 90 km of hairpin bends, viaducts, and a tunnel through granite. Poenari Castle (Vlad the Impaler's real fortress, 1,480 steps above the Argeș River) guards the route's start; Bâlea Lake sits at the 2,034m summit.
IconicThree CornichesThree parallel cliff roads between Nice and Monaco, each at a different altitude, the Basse Corniche past Belle Époque villas, the Moyenne past Èze's eagle's nest, and the Grande Corniche where Grace Kelly drove her last road.
IconicBlack Forest High RoadThe Schwarzwald-Hochstrasse (B500) runs along the ridge of Germany's most romantic mountain range, dense spruce forests, cuckoo clock villages, thermal spa towns, glass-clear lakes, and cake made with cream and kirsch.
IconicGorges du VerdonFrance's answer to the Grand Canyon, a 25 km gash through the limestone hills of Provence where the Verdon River has carved sheer cliffs nearly a kilometre high. The usual route begins in the hilltop town of Moustiers-Ste-Marie, creeps around the gorge rim with roadside viewpoints galore, loops the 23 km Rte des Crêtes with 14 lookouts (keep eyes peeled for eagles and vultures), and ends at Castellane.
IconicChianti RoadToscana simply doesn't get more bella than the SR222 through Chianti country, linking two great medieval cities through gently rolling countryside striped with cypress trees, olive groves, and vines. Most photogenic during the late springtime eruption of poppies and wildflowers; stop at every enoteca for Chianti Classico, a sangiovese-dominated drop that tastes like the landscape.
IconicRing of KerryIreland’s classic loop on the Iveragh Peninsula combines Atlantic cliffs, sheep-flecked hills, and bright harbors in a single easy day drive. Expect constant scenery, narrow rural roads, and frequent stops for beaches, stone forts, and mountain passes, with Killarney as the natural gateway.
LegendaryStelvio PassOne of Europe’s classic alpine drives, the Stelvio Pass links Prato allo Stelvio and Bormio through a dramatic ladder of 48 switchbacks. Expect steep gradients, tight bends, soaring views, and a high-mountain atmosphere that feels especially memorable in clear summer weather.
LegendaryAtlantic Ocean RoadNorway’s Atlantic Ocean Road traces a short but dramatic coastal crossing between Kristiansund and Molde, leaping across islets and skerries on a chain of bridges above the Norwegian Sea. It is famous for its sweeping curves, big-sky views, and storm-battered seascapes.
IconicAlbanian Riviera and Llogara PassThis classic south Albania drive follows the Ionian coast from Vlora over the switchbacks of Llogara Pass to the turquoise coves and stone villages of the Riviera. Expect mountain panoramas, beach stops at Dhërmi and Himarë, and a slower pace on one of the Balkans’ most scenic roads.
IconicVršič PassThis classic alpine crossing climbs from Kranjska Gora to the Soča Valley through 50 tight hairpins and dramatic limestone scenery. At 1,611 meters, Vršič Pass delivers sweeping views of the Julian Alps, roadside memorials, and short stops for hikes, making it Slovenia’s most iconic mountain drive.
IconicSnowdonia CircuitThis loop threads through the heart of Snowdonia, combining slate-era heritage, mountain passes, and classic Welsh coast views. Start in Betws-y-Coed, climb toward Llanberis and the slopes of Yr Wyddfa, then swing through Beddgelert, Harlech, and the shores of Porthmadog before returning through inland valleys.
IconicTranspantaneiraThe only road into the Northern Pantanal, 147km of raised dirt track on 122 wooden bridges through the world's largest tropical wetland. In the dry season, caimans line every bridge, capybaras graze the shoulders, and the Cuiabá River banks are the best place on Earth to see a wild jaguar.
IconicSerra do Rio do RastroSC-438 climbs the Serra Geral escarpment in 18km of relentless hairpins, from the subtropical coastal plain to a cold gaucho plateau at 1400m. Above the clouds, apple orchards, frost-dusted dawns, and the sheer-walled canyons of Aparados da Serra await.
IconicPanorama RouteMpumalanga's Panorama Route strings together the most dramatic escarpment scenery in Southern Africa, canyon viewpoints, gold-rush villages, ancient potholes, and waterfalls spilling off the edge of the highveld.
LegendarySani PassA boulder-strewn 4WD track climbing 1332 vertical metres in 9km through the Drakensberg escarpment into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. At the top: the highest pub in Africa, a blanket of stars, and a Basotho world entirely apart.
IconicSkeleton CoastThe C34 salt-and-gravel coastal road from Swakopmund north along Namibia's Atlantic fringe to Terrace Bay, through the Skeleton Coast National Park, past bleached whale bones, shipwrecks, and Cape Cross Seal Reserve's 100,000-strong fur seal colony. Ultra-desolate. Motorbikes not permitted on the coast road.
LegendaryShimanami KaidōSix islands linked by six bridges across the Seto Inland Sea, Japan's most celebrated drive arcs from Onomichi in Hiroshima to Imabari in Ehime, past lemon groves, castle ruins, and views so perfect they feel composed rather than found.
LegendaryLeh-Manali HighwayIndia’s legendary Leh-Manali Highway links the high desert of Ladakh with the Kullu Valley across some of the world’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Expect thin air, river crossings, stark passes, and long empty sections between Leh and Manali, with the best driving window in summer.
IconicHai Van PassThis coastal day drive links Da Nang and Hue over the legendary Hai Van Pass, where the road climbs forested mountains before opening to sweeping views of the South China Sea and Lang Co Lagoon. It combines dramatic switchbacks, old military relics, and classic central Vietnam scenery.
NotableRuta de las FloresThis compact highland drive links El Salvador’s flower-filled coffee towns west of San Salvador, weaving through cool cloud-forest slopes, murals, markets, and viewpoints. Stop in artisan villages, sample local pupusas and roasted coffee, and continue to the waterfalls and parks that give the route its name.
NotableHummingbird HighwayBelize’s Hummingbird Highway is a lush, low-stress drive from Belmopan to Dangriga, threading through citrus groves, Maya hills, and rainforest-covered valleys. The route is known for roadside fruit stands, mountain views, and easy detours to waterfalls, caves, and small Garifuna communities near the coast.
IconicJebel Hafeet Mountain RoadFrom Dubai across the desert to Al Ain, then up 60 switchback hairpins to the summit of the UAE's highest peak, consistently ranked among the world's greatest driving roads, with the whole Arabian plain at your feet.
NotableAlmaty to Charyn Canyon and Kolsai LakesThis classic Almaty escape combines open steppe, the sculpted red walls of Charyn Canyon, and the pine-backed mountain lakes of Kolsai. The drive is straightforward yet long, rewarding with changing landscapes, short hikes, and overnight stays in guesthouses or simple camps near the lake district.
IconicAlsace Route des VinsThe Route des Vins d'Alsace winds between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine plain through a string of medieval villages, half-timbered houses hung with geraniums, storks on every chimney, and Riesling in every cellar.
IconicAparados da SerraThe Serra Geral escarpment splits the Rio Grande do Sul plateau with two of the deepest canyons in South America, Itaimbezinho (720m deep, 5.8km long) and Fortaleza (900m deep). The araucária pine forests above and the Atlantic Forest below create two entirely different worlds within 20km.
NotableArctic Yamal and Salekhard RouteThis Arctic road trip follows the Ob River to Salekhard, the world’s only city on the Arctic Circle, then continues toward the Yamal Peninsula gateway at Labytnangi. Expect tundra horizons, river crossings, permafrost landscapes, and a strong sense of remoteness in a region shaped by ice and industry.
IconicArica to Lauca and Putre AltiplanoClimb from the Pacific heat of Arica into Chile’s high Altiplano on one of the country’s most dramatic mountain drives. The route follows the Lluta Valley to Putre, then continues into Lauca National Park for volcano views, bofedales, turquoise lagoons, and herds of vicuñas under thin, brilliant air.
IconicArthur's PassThis classic South Island drive runs from Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass and on to the West Coast. It pairs braided rivers, beech forest, steep mountain walls, and dramatic viaduct engineering with easy roadside access to short walks and viewpoints.
NotableAsir Mountains and AbhaThis highland loop links Abha with the cool ridges, stone villages, and terraced slopes of the Asir Mountains. Expect switchback descents, juniper-covered peaks, panoramic viewpoints, and roadside fruit markets, with the route best enjoyed as a slow two- to three-day mountain drive.
NotableAtlantic Sahara Coast and Banc d'ArguinThis Atlantic coast drive follows Mauritania’s desert edge from Nouadhibou to the Banc d’Arguin region, where dunes, tidal flats, and empty beaches meet the sea. Expect a stark, wind-shaped landscape, fishing villages, and exceptional birdlife in one of West Africa’s most distinctive coastal parks.
Hidden GemB9 Road, MauritiusSkirting the Indian Ocean-facing Mauritius shoreline from Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage monolith with a poignant memorial to escaped slaves, east past Macondé Rock's viewpoint, Saint Martin, Bel Ombre, and the island's finest beaches at St Félix, Riambel, and Gris Gris to Souillac.
IconicBadlands & Black Hills LoopSouth Dakota's astonishing concentration of American myth, the razor-ridged Badlands spires and buttes rising from the Great Plains, the ancient Lakota sacred Black Hills, Crazy Horse's unfinished mountain monument, and Mount Rushmore's four presidential faces carved into granite. Bison herds, prairie dogs, and the ghosts of the frontier frame the most symbolically loaded landscape in the American West.
Hidden GemBahrain Heritage LoopA compact island loop through Bahrain’s key heritage sites, from the UNESCO-listed Qal'at al-Bahrain to old-town Muharraq, traditional dhow yards, and restored merchant houses. It finishes with desert-side forts and a sunset drive back toward Manama, blending history, coast, and easy highway links.
IconicBartang Valley Pamir VariantThis Pamir variant leaves the Pamir Highway at Rushan and follows the dramatic Bartang Valley past turquoise river bends, cliffside villages, and steep rock walls toward the upper valley. It is a rugged, high-altitude detour with big mountain scenery and a strong sense of isolation.
IconicBay of Kotor to DurmitorThis Montenegro road trip links the Adriatic beauty of the Bay of Kotor with the high alpine landscapes of Durmitor National Park. Expect tight mountain roads, dramatic viewpoints, monastery stops, and a steady climb from sea level to glacial lakes, pine forests, and the iconic Tara River canyon.
Hidden GemBeatles TourThe world's most famous band grew up in the suburbs of Liverpool, a self-guided loop from the Beatles Story at Albert Dock through Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, Paul McCartney's childhood home, John Lennon's Aunt Mimi's house, the Cavern Club, and the NEMS record shop site where Brian Epstein first heard them play. Liverpudlians tell the story with fierce pride.
NotableBelgian Ardennes RouteThis looping drive through Belgium’s forested Ardennes links river valleys, limestone cliffs, medieval towns, and quiet ridge roads. Starting in Namur, it follows the Meuse and Ourthe toward Dinant, Durbuy, La Roche-en-Ardenne, and Bastogne before returning through rolling countryside and castle-dotted landscapes.
IconicBolaven Plateau LoopThis classic Laos loop climbs from Pakse onto the cool, forested Bolaven Plateau, circling coffee country, crater lakes, and some of the country’s best waterfalls. The route links village roads and paved mountain sections into an easygoing road trip with frequent scenic stops and local homestays.
Hidden GemBusan to GwangjuThe route across the bottom of South Korea, from Busan, the buzzing port and Korea's film city, west through Masan, Jinju, and Suncheon to Gwangju, Korea's art capital, with multiple options for short detours south to the beaches and off-shore islands of Korea's southern coast. A beautifully surfaced road through the least internationally known corner of a remarkable country.
Hidden GemCairo to Luxor Nile ValleyThis classic Nile Valley drive follows Egypt’s main southbound corridor from Cairo to Luxor, passing fertile river plains, roadside markets, and ancient temple towns. It’s the most practical overland link between two of Egypt’s greatest archaeological hubs, with desert scenery framing the route.
Hidden GemCape Ann, MassachusettsThe North Shore route from Newburyport south along Cape Ann, clam shacks on Route 1A, the Parker River Wildlife Refuge's 800 species of birds and plants, Crane Beach (one of the longest and sandiest in New England), maritime Essex, and the working fishing port of Gloucester. A short drive dense with seafood and Atlantic atmosphere.
IconicCape Cod, Old King's HighwayRoute 6A, the Old King's Highway, traces the Bay side of Cape Cod through 300 years of sea-captain architecture, cranberry bogs, saltmarsh, and shingled villages. The Cape narrows to a sandy hook at Provincetown, where the Pilgrims first landed in 1620.
IconicCaptain Cook HighwayQueensland's most scenic coastal road runs from Cairns north to Mossman between the Wet Tropics rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, the only place on Earth where two UNESCO World Heritage sites touch simultaneously.
IconicCastaway on Flores, AzoresThe most remote and beautiful island in the Azores, Flores (the Island of Flowers) is a crater-lake wonderland at the western edge of Europe, 2,300 km from Lisbon. Seven calderas filled with hydrangea-ringed lakes, the vertical sea cliffs of Fajã Grande (the most dramatic coastline in the Atlantic), and the cascading waterfalls of Poço da Alagoinha in a valley of lush green fern. The end of Europe, dripping with rain and colour.
NotableCatalan PyreneesA border anomaly drives this mountain loop, from Olot's volcanic Garrotxa region northeast to Castellfollit de la Roca (a town stacked on a basalt cliff), west through Ripoll and the Vall de Ribes to hair-raising Route C-16 along the Freser gorge, then north through the peculiar Catalan exclave of Llívia (technically Spain inside France) to the ski resort of Les Angles.
IconicCauseway Coastal RouteFrom Belfast through the Glens of Antrim to the Giant's Causeway, the most scenic coastal road in the UK traces ancient volcanic basalt, a Scottish rope bridge, a whiskey distillery in a clifftop cave, and a Game of Thrones landscape.
NotableCaves RoadA short but extraordinary drive through the limestone karst of Western Australia's Margaret River region, above ground, the world's largest karri forests and a hundred world-class wineries; below, four show caves of stalactites and crystal formations accessible on guided tours along a single winding road.
IconicCentral Cross-Island HighwayTaiwan’s Central Cross-Island Highway links the west and east sides of the island through the steep spine of the Central Mountain Range. The drive climbs past Taroko Gorge viewpoints, high bridges, and forested passes before descending to lush valleys and small mountain settlements.
NotableChachapoyas and Kuelap Northern PeruThis northern Peru loop links the colonial highland town of Chachapoyas with the hilltop fortress of Kuelap, then continues through cloud-forest viewpoints and small Andean villages. Expect steep switchbacks, dramatic scenery, and one of Peru’s most distinctive pre-Inca archaeological landscapes.
IconicChain of Craters RoadThe most geological road on Earth, descending 1200m from Kīlauea's active summit caldera to the Pacific coast, past pit craters and still-smoking lava fields, ending where a previous flow swallowed the road whole and entered the sea.
IconicChapada dos VeadeirosA UNESCO cerrado highland 250km north of Brasília, the ancient quartz-crystal plateau that generates one of the highest concentrations of natural crystal in the world. Waterfalls, cerrado canyons, the New Age capital of Alto Paraíso, and the clearest night skies in Central Brazil.
NotableChe Guevara, Motorcycle DiariesIn January 1952, Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Granado left Buenos Aires on a 1947 Norton 500 named La Ponderosa II, riding the lower part of Argentina to San Carlos de Bariloche before struggling through Chile to Santiago. Though the motorcycle was eventually abandoned, retracing the route from Che's birthplace in Rosario reveals the grazing country, Andean crossings, and political awakening that made the man.
IconicChiapas Highlands San Cristobal to PalenqueThis classic Chiapas drive drops from the cool cobblestone streets of San Cristóbal de las Casas into lush canyon country, pine forest, and humid lowland jungle before ending at Palenque’s Maya ruins. It is a dramatic one-way transition from highland culture to tropical archaeology.
IconicChilean Lake District Pucon to Puerto VarasThis classic Chilean Lake District drive links Pucón and Puerto Varas through a chain of blue lakes, snowcapped volcanoes, and well-kept paved highways. Detour for forested viewpoints, hot springs, and waterfront towns such as Villarrica, Frutillar, and Ensenada for an easy, scenic South American road trip.
NotableCirque de Combe LavalThe D76 through the Vercors Natural Park cuts a ledge into sheer 400m limestone cliffs above the Lyonne valley, a vertiginous corniche through one of France's least-visited mountain regions, ending on the high Vercors plateau with its dark wartime history.
IconicClarence DriveThe R44 between Gordon's Bay and Hermanus hugs the Kogelberg coastline, mountain cliffs plunging to turquoise sea, fynbos slopes, penguin colonies, and the world's finest shore-based whale watching.
NotableCockle Creek, TasmaniaFrom Hobart to the southernmost road in Australia, via Sandy Bay, the Shot Tower at Taroona, Kettering, Woodbridge, Cygnet, the Huon Valley, Hastings Caves, and Recherche Bay. The next stop south from Cockle Creek is Antarctica.
Hidden GemCopan to the Caribbean CoastThis cross-country drive links the Maya ruins of Copán with Honduras’s Caribbean shore, tracing a varied inland-to-coast corridor through green highlands, lakeside scenery, and lowland plantations. It’s a practical road trip for travelers who want archaeology, mountain vistas, and a final stretch to the beach or port towns.
NotableCoral Coast Road, FijiAlong Viti Levu's southern flank on Queens Road, from Korotogo east to Pacific Harbour, tracing a coral reef that protects beautiful beaches facing an iridescent Coral Sea. Past Sigatoka's sand dunes, Sovi Bay's swimming beaches, and the traditional-style Vatukarasa village. Traffic drives on the left, in theory.
NotableCosta do Descobrimento Porto Seguro to CaraivaThis short Bahia coast drive links Porto Seguro with the rustic river village of Caraíva through the historic beaches of the Costa do Descobrimento. Expect coconut-lined shoreline, village stops, and a final stretch where the paved road gives way to sand, mud, and a simple boat crossing.
IconicCross-Island Dominica via Morne Trois PitonsThis cross-island drive links Roseau to the island’s east side through the lush volcanic interior of Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Expect rainforest climbs, crater ridges, river valleys, and quick detours to Trafalgar Falls, Emerald Pool, and the Boiling Lake access area before descending toward the Atlantic coast.
NotableD-Day BeachesThe beaches and bluffs are quiet today, on 6 June 1944 the Normandy shoreline was the destination for more than 6,000 ships and the largest armada ever assembled. This part of the French coast is strewn with memorials, museums, and cemeteries; starting with Caen's Museum for Peace, the route passes Pegasus Bridge, Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc cliff-top battery, and Utah Beach.
Hidden GemDakar to Saint-Louis CoastThis easy Senegalese coast drive follows the Atlantic north from Dakar to the UNESCO-listed old city of Saint-Louis. Expect ocean views, fishing villages, salt pans, and broad sandy beaches, with the route becoming especially atmospheric near the Langue de Barbarie and the river mouth at Saint-Louis.
IconicDali Lijiang Shangri-La RouteThis classic Yunnan mountain drive links Dali’s lakeside old town, Lijiang’s UNESCO-listed lanes, and Shangri-La’s Tibetan plateau scenery. The road climbs steadily through Erhai viewpoints, alpine valleys, and the upper reaches of the Yangtze basin, with dramatic weather shifts and plenty of cultural stops along the way.
NotableDelta Works and Zeeland CoastFollow the Zeeland coast from the engineering marvel of the Delta Works through island-dotted dikes, beaches, and tidal inlets. This relaxed loop links storm-surge barriers, quiet harbor towns, and wide North Sea horizons, with frequent stops for seawalls, cycling paths, and fresh seafood.
IconicDenali HighwayThe Denali Highway runs between Paxson and Cantwell across a vast sweep of tundra, alpine lakes, and glacier-carved ridges with constant views of the Alaska Range. Long gravel stretches and frequent wildlife sightings make it a classic remote drive, best enjoyed slowly in clear summer weather.
NotableDragon's Spine, WalesThe Cambrian Way from Cardiff through the spine of Wales, the Brecon Beacons' sandstone moorland and waterfalls, the empty Cambrian Mountains that form the water divide of Wales, Snowdonia's rocky summits, and the walled medieval town of Conwy at the northern end. The longest upland route in Wales through the least-visited highland terrain in Britain.
NotableEast CapeThis looping North Island drive traces the rugged East Cape from Gisborne to Ōpōtiki via Te Araroa and East Cape Lighthouse. It mixes sweepingly empty coastline, Māori heritage sites, surf beaches, and hill country roads, with long stretches where the Pacific feels close and the settlements feel far apart.
IconicEast Coast TasmaniaThe long way from Hobart to Launceston, up Tasmania's sun-drenched east coast past convict sandstone, Wineglass Bay's perfect crescent, penguin colonies, and the fire-orange boulders of the Bay of Fires.
IconicErg Chebbi and the Moroccan SaharaThis Saharan road trip runs from the palm-lined oasis town of Errachidia through the Ziz Valley to Merzouga and the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi. It blends paved desert highways, kasbah villages, and sunrise dune viewpoints, with the option to finish at a camel camp or desert lodge.
IconicFann MountainsThis classic Tajik mountain drive follows the Zeravshan Valley from Penjikent into the high country around the Fann Mountains, where turquoise lakes, limestone walls, and apricot orchards crowd the road. Expect rough but spectacular driving, alpine viewpoints, and easy access to trailheads and village guesthouses.
IconicForgotten World HighwayNew Zealand’s Forgotten World Highway follows SH43 through remote hill country between Stratford and Taumarunui. It climbs over the Whangamomona Saddle, threads past lonely farmland and river valleys, and pauses at quirky Whangamomona, a self-declared republic that captures the route’s isolated, frontier character.
IconicFour Corners CruiseSuper-sized Southwest, from Las Vegas through the Valley of Fire into Utah's slot canyons, across the Colorado Plateau to Monument Valley's prehistoric buttes, then south to the Grand Canyon and back through Red Rock Canyon. Five states, every major landscape of the American Southwest, and what may be the best day hike in North America at Zion.
Hidden GemFoz do Iguacu and Triple FrontierA compact cross-border day loop from central Foz do Iguaçu to the iconic Triple Frontier, where Brazil meets Argentina and Paraguay beside the Paraná and Iguazu rivers. Expect easy city roads, sunset river views, and a lively mix of frontier landmarks, viewpoints, and local dining.
LegendaryG219 Xinjiang-Tibet HighwayChina’s G219 is a vast trans-Himalayan frontier drive linking Xinjiang with western Tibet through some of Asia’s most isolated country. Expect high passes, stark desert basins, salt lakes, glacier views, and long stretches of military and mining settlements, all demanding careful planning and acclimatization.
LegendaryGeiranger–TrollstigenNorwegian National Tourist Route 63, one of the world's greatest drives and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Steep inclines averaging 9%, slam-on-the-brakes-and-grab-the-camera hairpin bends, and views of Geirangerfjord's sheer 1,400 m walls make for terrific slow touring. The Trollstigen (Troll's Path) bombards you with mountains named Kongen (the King) and Dronnigen (the Queen), waterfalls spilling down sheer cliff faces, and fjords of the bluest blue.
Hidden GemGhana Cape Coast Heritage RouteThis coastal heritage drive links Ghana’s most important slave-trade memorials with lively fishing towns and Atlantic scenery. Start in Accra, follow the shoreline through Elmina and Cape Coast, and finish at Kakum National Park for rainforest canopy views and a powerful historical contrast.
IconicGran SabanaDrive from Ciudad Guayana southeast along the Troncal 10 into the open savannas of Gran Sabana, ending at Santa Elena de Uairén near the Brazilian frontier. The route rolls past tepui mesas, waterfalls, and vast grasslands, with the best views in the dry season.
IconicGrand Pacific DriveAustralia’s Grand Pacific Drive traces a classic coastal day trip from Sydney’s southern beaches to the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. The route crosses the Sea Cliff Bridge, passes rainforest-fringed headlands and surf towns, and finishes among Kiama’s famous blowholes, lookouts and rolling green coastline.
NotableGreat Western TiersThis Tasmanian drive traces the Great Western Tiers from Deloraine through Meander and the limestone caves to the forested plateau of the Central Highlands, finishing near Lake St Clair. Expect rolling farmland, highland viewpoints, cool temperate rainforest, and crisp mountain air with frequent stops for short walks and lookouts.
IconicGreater Caucasus HighwayThis mountain drive follows Azerbaijan’s northern flank of the Greater Caucasus from the Caspian lowlands into the dramatic valleys around Quba, Khinalug, and the Shahdag region. Expect orchards, steep gorges, stone villages, and wide Alpine views on a route that feels remote yet stays firmly road-trippable.
NotableGuatemala to TikalThis classic Guatemala road trip runs north from Guatemala City through the highlands to the jungle plains of Petén, ending at the ancient Maya city of Tikal. It combines mountain scenery, rural market towns, and a final approach through lowland forest to one of Central America’s most important archaeological sites.
IconicGuoliang Tunnel RoadA dramatic mountain drive in Henan, Guoliang Tunnel Road cuts through the sheer cliffs of the Taihang Mountains to reach the stone village of Guoliang. The route pairs tight tunnel sections with sweeping canyon views, ending in a remote hamlet famous for its hand-carved roadway and rugged scenery.
IconicHistoric Columbia River HighwayThis classic Oregon drive follows the restored Historic Columbia River Highway through the Columbia River Gorge, linking waterfalls, stone bridges, and bluff-top viewpoints. Starting near Troutdale and finishing in the Hood River area, it blends early 20th-century engineering with constant river-and-cliff scenery, best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Hidden GemHurghada to Marsa Alam Red Sea CoastThis Red Sea Coast drive runs south from Hurghada to Marsa Alam on Egypt’s desert highway, pairing blue-water views with long, quiet stretches of tawny mountains and open shore. It is a straightforward road trip with resort stops, dive towns, and a strong sense of remoteness.
NotableIbera Wetlands and EsterosThis gentle Corrientes road trip links the provincial capital with Argentina’s vast Iberá Wetlands, trading city streets for quiet estero country, bird-filled marshes, and ranchland horizons. Base yourself in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini for lagoon boat trips, capybara and caiman sightings, and long sunset drives on sandy access roads.
IconicIzu Peninsula LoopA volcanic peninsula south of Tokyo where the Pacific crashes against black-sand beaches, hot springs rise from the ground mid-forest, and the road clings to sea cliffs past fishing villages that time left behind. One of Japan's great onsen drives.
IconicJeju Island CircuitSouth Korea's largest island, a UNESCO triple crown of volcanic crags, lava tube caves, and tuff-cone coastlines, compared favourably with both Bali and Hawaii. The best way to experience Jeju is the coastal ring road, hugging the island clockwise through Jungmun Resort, the Seongsan Ilchulbong sunrise peak, and the famous Haenyeo (sea women) who free-dive for shellfish without oxygen tanks.
IconicJimmy Buffett's Florida KeysThe Florida Keys Scenic Highway, a prestigious All-American Road, is Jimmy Buffett's country. Hemingway lived here, Tennessee Williams wrote here, and Thomas McGuane caroused here. The drive hops one bridge at a time through a magnificent seascape to Key West's Margaritaville.
IconicKancamagus HighwayNew Hampshire's "Kanc", NH-112 through the White Mountain National Forest, is the quintessential New England foliage drive. No traffic lights, no commercial strip, no stops for 56km of blazing maple canopy, covered bridges, and cold mountain streams.
IconicLa Rioja Wine RegionThe greatest wine region in Spain, La Rioja loops through medieval walled villages above the Ebro River, where Tempranillo ages in oak-scented cave bodegas beneath Haro's streets, Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid have designed wineries for marquee estates, and every bar runs a pintxo culture as serious as San Sebastián.
NotableLake Assal and Goda MountainsThis compact Djibouti road trip leaves the capital for the Gulf of Tadjoura, then climbs into the cool highlands of the Goda Mountains before dropping to the dazzling salt basin of Lake Assal, one of Africa’s lowest points. Expect volcanic scenery, acacia hills, and stark desert contrast.
IconicLake District PassesA classic loop through England’s Lake District, linking narrow mountain passes, mirror-still lakes, and stone-built villages. From Keswick to Ambleside via Honister, Kirkstone, and Hardknott Passes, the drive packs dramatic climbs, sharp bends, and some of the most iconic fell and valley views in the UK.
IconicLake Khövsgöl Northern MongoliaThis northern Mongolia drive traces the approach to Lake Khövsgöl from Mörön into forested taiga, open steppe, and high-clearance dirt roads. The reward is one of Asia’s purest alpine lakes, with blue water, mountains, and nomadic camps around Khatgal and the western shore.
NotableLake Ohrid RouteThis relaxed loop traces Lake Ohrid from North Macedonia into Albania, linking Ohrid’s UNESCO-listed old town with cliffside monasteries, clear swimming coves, and the quieter south shore near Pogradec. Expect mountain-and-water views, historic villages, and an easy pace with frequent photo stops.
NotableLavaux VineyardsA short but sublime drive along Route 9 above the northern shore of Lake Geneva, through the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux wine terraces that stagger up from the water in sheer stone-walled tiers that beggar belief. The road links the higgledy-piggledy French-speaking city of Lausanne to Château de Chillon, an extraordinary 13th-century fortress immortalised in Lord Byron's poem.
Hidden GemLee Against GrantThe road through central Virginia provides access to the pivotal 1864 Overland Campaign, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg, where Ulysses S. Grant outmanoeuvred Robert E. Lee through nine brutal months until Lee's final retreat and surrender. Virginia has a network of Civil War trails to rival the Ho Chi Minh Trail; three national parks preserve the key battlefields.
LegendaryLençóis MaranhensesThe "Maranhão Bedsheets", 1500km² of white sand dunes rising from a flat coastal plain, filled between July and September with hundreds of turquoise and emerald rainwater lagoons. One of the most surreal landscapes on Earth, reached from São Luís via the Preguiças River delta.
NotableMakran Coastal Highway Karachi to GwadarPakistan’s Makran Coastal Highway links Karachi with the Arabian Sea edge of Balochistan in a long, cinematic drive past empty beaches, limestone cliffs, fishing towns, and salt-flats. The road is paved throughout, but it feels remote and exposed, with the sea on one side and stark desert hills on the other.
Hidden GemMalolotja and Ezulwini Eswatini LoopThis compact Eswatini loop links the cool highlands of Malolotja Nature Reserve with the Ezulwini Valley’s rolling hills, craft markets, and royal-adjacent cultural stops. It’s a rewarding mix of mountain scenery, viewpoints, and easy day-trip driving on good paved roads.
IconicMérida Andes and Sierra NevadaA classic Andean loop from Mérida climbs through cloud forest and high páramo to the Sierra Nevada’s dramatic viewpoints, small mountain villages, and the access roads toward Pico Bolívar and Los Nevados. Expect switchbacks, cool weather, big altitude changes, and constant views over deep green valleys.
NotableMindanao Highlands Davao to BukidnonThis highland drive links Davao’s coastal gateway with the cool uplands of Bukidnon, climbing through pineapple country, forested ridges, and mountain towns. It is a practical Mindanao road trip with broad views, farm stops, and a steady change from humid lowlands to crisp highland air.
NotableMombasa to Lamu Coast RoadThis coastal drive follows Kenya’s Indian Ocean shoreline from Mombasa through Malindi and the quieter northern beaches toward Lamu County. Expect palm-lined roads, Swahili heritage towns, dhow-filled inlets, and long sunny stretches, with the final approach feeling increasingly remote and atmospheric.
IconicMount Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone LoopA classic Tokyo-to-Tokyo loop through the Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone, combining lakefront viewpoints, volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and framed views of Mount Fuji. The drive is straightforward on paved roads, with the best visibility usually in the cooler, clearer months of spring and autumn.
NotableMozambique EN1 Coastal RouteMozambique’s EN1 is the country’s spine, linking the southern capital to the far north through palm-fringed coast, busy market towns, and long Indian Ocean stretches. This overland drive mixes beach access, ferry crossings, and everyday Mozambican life, with highlights around Inhambane, Beira, and Nampula before reaching the far north.
IconicMumbai to Goa Coastal RoadThis west-coast drive links Mumbai with Goa through the Konkan belt, pairing sea views, coconut groves, fishing villages, and quiet temple towns. The most rewarding version follows NH66 and coastal detours through Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, with long, atmospheric stretches between market towns and beaches.
IconicNapa Valley Wine RoadCalifornia's Silverado Trail and Highway 29 thread through the most celebrated wine valley in the Americas, grand château wineries, Michelin-starred restaurants, mustard flowers in spring, and golden harvest light in fall.
IconicOahu's Windward CoastThe Ko'olau pali throws a wall of fluted green peaks above Oahu's windward shore. H3 and the Kamehameha Highway trace the coast through taro fields, ancient heiau, sacred valleys, and turquoise bays where Hawaiians surfed a thousand years before tourists arrived.
NotableOkanagan Valley Wine TourA compact but spectacular wine country drive along Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, ponderosa pine slopes dropping to a desert-climate lake, over 200 wineries producing Riesling, Pinot Noir, and ice wine, and some of the most dramatic winery architecture in the world.
NotableOld West, ArizonaFrom desert cattle ranches to mile-high mountain towns, this Sonoran Desert drive climbs from the cowboy capital of Wickenburg through a former copper boomtown hanging on a cliff to the red-rock vortexes of Sedona and Flagstaff's ponderosa pines.
Hidden GemPanama Pan-American HighwayPanama’s Pan-American Highway is the country’s main road spine, running from Panama City across fertile lowlands and rolling cattle country to the border at Paso Canoas. It’s a straightforward long-distance drive with steady traffic near the capital and a more relaxed pace west of the interior highlands.
Hidden GemParaguay Jesuit Missions RouteTrace Paraguay’s Jesuit past on a compact loop through the southeast, linking the best-preserved mission towns and rural church ruins. From Asunción to San Ignacio Guazú, Santa Rosa, Jesús de Tavarangue, and Trinidad, the drive blends paved countryside roads, red earth scenery, and remarkably intact colonial religious heritage.
Hidden GemPedernales and Barahona Scenic SouthThis south-coast road trip follows the Dominican Republic’s most varied shoreline, from the lively bayfront of Barahona to the wild, dry landscapes of Pedernales. The route mixes turquoise coves, salt flats, limestone hills, and quiet fishing towns, with clear-water stops at Bahia de las Aguilas and Lago Enriquillo.
IconicPicos de EuropaThe Picos de Europa are where the Atlantic meets the Alps, limestone massifs rising 2,600m from a green Asturian coast. The Cares Gorge, Covadonga, and mountain passes through silent medieval villages make this Spain's finest mountain drive.
IconicPortland to Bar HarborMaine's rocky Downeaster coast from the peninsula city of Portland north to Bar Harbor, through Bath's shipyards, Rockland's lobster wharves, Camden's perfect harbour, and the spruce-forested headlands of Acadia National Park. The US Northeast's finest short coastal drive.
IconicPuerto Princesa to El Nido via the Underground RiverThis Palawan road trip links Puerto Princesa with the limestone coast of El Nido, detouring to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. The drive is scenic and practical, with coastal villages, jungle hills, and frequent photo stops before ending among El Nido’s bays, karst cliffs, and island-hopping departure points.
Hidden GemQatar Desert and Northwest Coast LoopThis looping drive leaves Doha for Qatar’s wild southeast deserts, then traces the island-dotted northwest coast back toward the capital. Expect shimmering sabkha flats, sculpted dunes, fishing villages, and quiet shoreline viewpoints, with plenty of stops for dhow harbors, mangroves, and sunset desert scenery.
IconicQinghai Lake CircuitChina's largest lake sits at 3,200 m on the Tibetan Plateau, a turquoise inland sea rimmed by snow peaks, yellow rapeseed fields, and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. The complete circuit is one of the most purely beautiful drives in East Asia.
IconicQuilotoa LoopThe Quilotoa Loop is a high-Andean circuit west of Quito that links market towns, canyon viewpoints, and the brilliant crater lake of Laguna Quilotoa. Expect winding paved and gravel roads, big altitude swings, and stop-start driving through Indigenous communities, farmland, and dramatic volcanic scenery.
IconicReunion Island LoopCircle Réunion on its coastal roads for a compact but dramatic island drive, linking volcanic cliffs, black-sand beaches, sugarcane fields, and Creole seaside towns. The loop pairs the palm-lined east coast with the wilder south and the dramatic western lava coast, with mountain access spurs inland.
NotableRota das MissõesThe Jesuit missions route of western Rio Grande do Sul, a UNESCO World Heritage trail through the ruins of seven 17th-century reductions where Guaraní communities and Jesuit priests built the most advanced utopian society in the Americas, before the Portuguese destroyed it in 1756.
NotableRota RomânticaThe RS-235 through the Serra Gaúcha follows the valleys settled by German and Italian immigrants in the 1820s, half-timbered architecture, sausage and Gemütlichkeit in Gramado, the Parque do Caracol waterfall, and the Vale dos Vinhedos where Brazil's best Merlot and Moscato are made.
LegendaryRoute of the Seven LakesThe most beautiful short drive in South America, Ruta Nacional 40 and Ruta Provincial 234 through the Andes foothills between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes, threading through seven glacier-fed Andean lakes of extraordinary blue-green clarity: Nahuel Huapi, Espejo, Correntoso, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, and Machónico. The Swiss Alps transplanted to Patagonia.
LegendarySan Juan SkywayColorado's Million Dollar Highway, the San Juan Skyway loops through Ouray's "Switzerland of America" canyon town, the 3,358m Red Mountain Pass above collapsed mine workings, Silverton's Victorian mining town, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and Mesa Verde's Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. The most dramatic mountain circuit in the Rocky Mountains.
LegendarySani Pass and Roof of AfricaClimb from the Himeville area up the legendary Sani Pass into Lesotho, following one of southern Africa’s most dramatic mountain roads. The gravel switchbacks rise to the high plateau and the iconic Sani Mountain Lodge, with sweeping views over the Drakensberg and a true sense of reaching the Roof of Africa.
IconicSanto Antão Island CrossingThis island crossing follows Santo Antão’s dramatic north-to-south mountain roads from the ferry port at Porto Novo up through the cratered highlands to the lush valley country around Ribeira Grande. Expect plunging views, terraced slopes, and some of Cape Verde’s most memorable switchbacks.
IconicSavannah WayThe Savannah Way links tropical northern Australia from Cairns to Broome through some of the country’s most remote country. Expect long sealed stretches mixed with isolated highways, red-dirt detours, stock country, gulf wetlands, gorge country, and classic outback towns along one of Australia’s great cross-continent drives.
IconicSerra da Leba and Tundavala EscarpmentThis southern Angola road trip links the dramatic switchbacks of Serra da Leba with the high rim views of the Tundavala Escarpment. Starting in Lubango and looping through highland villages and eucalyptus-clad slopes, it delivers some of the country’s most iconic mountain scenery and dramatic roadside viewpoints.
NotableShaki and Lahij Scenic RoadThis loop through northwestern Azerbaijan links the silk-city heritage of Shaki with the cobbled mountain village of Lahij, threading walnut orchards, forested slopes, and classic Caucasus viewpoints. It is a rewarding short road trip for travelers who want culture, scenery, and memorable villages in one drive.
Hidden GemShek O Road, Hong KongHong Kong's sublime subtropical drive, from Central across to the undulating island beneath the Peak and Mt Cameron, past Repulse Bay and across the Dragon's Back to Shek O, a fishing village at the island's eastern tip. Serpentine switchbacks to Tai Mo Shan, Big Wave Bay, and Wong Nai Chung Gap frame an extraordinary urban escape.
IconicSintra to Arrábida LoopA compact loop around the Lisbon peninsula, from the fairy-tale UNESCO palaces of Sintra on the Atlantic clifftops to the westernmost point of continental Europe at Cabo da Roca, then south through Cascais to the impossibly turquoise bays of the Arrábida Natural Park.
IconicSkyline DriveSkyline Drive is the classic ridge-top route through Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, tracing 105 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains. The road links mountain overlooks, short hikes, and forested valleys between Front Royal and Rockfish Gap, with especially vivid color in spring bloom and autumn foliage.
IconicSumatra Trans-Highway Bukittinggi to Lake TobaA classic cross-Sumatran drive linking the Minangkabau highlands to the volcanic lakeside of North Sumatra. The route rolls past tea estates, forested ridges, market towns, and inland valleys before finishing at Lake Toba’s dramatic caldera rim, with mountain scenery and culturally rich stops throughout.
LegendarySusten–Grimsel–Furka LoopThe most concentrated Alpine pass loop on Earth, three legendary roads in a single circuit. The Susten crosses a granite wilderness, the Grimsel skirts black glacial reservoirs, and the Furka passes the Rhône Glacier, where Bond once drove an Aston Martin.
IconicTamanrasset to Assekrem in the HoggarThis short Saharan climb leaves Tamanrasset and heads into the volcanic granite peaks of the Hoggar, ending at the Assekrem plateau. The drive is all about stark desert scenery, remote hamadas, and a dramatic high-altitude lookout famous for vast sunrise and sunset views over the central Sahara.
NotableTaranaki's Surf HighwaySH45 around the western flank of Mount Taranaki, a short coastal drive past dairy farms, surf breaks made famous by boardriders seeking the perfect wave, shipwrecks, and lighthouses. New Plymouth's Len Lye Centre kinetic sculpture and the Tawhiti Museum of settler history frame the journey's beginning and end.
NotableTarga Florio CircuitThe circuit of the Madonie mountains in Sicily was the world's oldest motor race, hairpins over sea views, Norman castles on hilltops, towns carved from golden limestone, and the most atmospheric mountain roads in Italy.
NotableTatacoa Desert and San AgustínThis south Huila loop links the rust-red badlands of the Tatacoa Desert with the misty archaeology of San Agustín. Start in Neiva, cross the Magdalena River valley, explore the labyrinth of eroded canyons and starry night skies, then continue south to colonial villages and the monumental stone statues and tombs near San Agustín.
IconicThe Atlantic HighwayEngland's wildest coast, the A39 Atlantic Highway from Barnstaple through the cliffs of Cornwall to the A30's end at Fraddon. King Arthur's Tintagel above the churning Celtic Sea, the fishing village of Boscastle, Newquay's surf beaches, St Ives' Tate gallery above the harbour, and Land's End's granite edge where England runs out. The Atlantic shore of Britain at its most dramatic and most mythological.
NotableThe CévennesIn 1879, Robert Louis Stevenson documented an epic, hilarious, and occasionally arduous hike through the Cévennes with a recalcitrant donkey named Modestine. These days you can trace part of his route by car, from the forested hills of St-Jean-du-Gard through the wild causses plateaus, gorges of the Tarn and Jonte, and ending on the world's highest road bridge, the Viaduc du Millau.
NotableThe Hidden HighwayThe borderland between England and Wales, the B4368 and B4391 through the Marches from the food capital of Ludlow across the Long Mynd plateau and the Shropshire Hills (the best walking country in the English Midlands), past Powis Castle's Baroque terraced gardens, to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (Telford's iron masterpiece carrying a canal 38m above the Dee Valley) at Llangollen. The quietest and most rewarding drive in the Welsh Marches.
IconicThermal Hot SpotsThrough the North Island's geothermal heart, spectacular geysers, steaming hot pools, Māori culture, and Tolkien's Middle-earth at Hobbiton. From Hamilton through Matamata's Shire to Rotorua's boiling mud and Hell's Gate, and south to Lake Taupo, a caldera formed after one of history's greatest ever volcanic eruptions.
IconicTierra del Fuego and Ushuaia LoopThis southernmost Argentina loop traces the paved and gravel roads around Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel, and Tierra del Fuego National Park, with alpine bays, peat bogs, lenga forests, and big-open steppe. It’s a compact road trip with classic end-of-the-world scenery and frequent wildlife stops.
IconicTop of the World HighwayClimb out of Dawson City onto a high alpine ridge where gravel pavement traces the Yukon–Alaska divide for miles above treeline. The drive delivers vast 360-degree views, gold-rush history, and a dramatic descent to the remote border crossing at Poker Creek and then into Chicken, Alaska.
IconicTrans-Canada HighwayCanada’s classic coast-to-coast drive follows the Trans-Canada Highway from St. John’s, Newfoundland, across rugged Atlantic coastlines, Quebec’s river valleys, the vast Canadian Shield, the prairie heartland, and the dramatic mountains of British Columbia before ending at Victoria. It’s a true national road trip with huge scenery shifts and long, open stretches.
NotableTrincomalee to Arugam Bay East CoastThis east-coast drive links Trincomalee’s sheltered harbors and long beaches with the surf town of Arugam Bay, following Sri Lanka’s quieter shoreline past lagoons, fishing villages, and wildlife-rich wetlands. It’s an easy, low-stress road trip with frequent ocean views and relaxed stopovers.
NotableTrinidad North Coast RoadThis coastal drive threads Trinidad’s lush northern shoreline from Port of Spain to Toco, with steep green hills on one side and the Caribbean surf on the other. Highlights include Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, Blanchisseuse, and quiet fishing villages reached by a beautifully twisting road.
IconicTunnel du Mont-BlancFrance with extras, hop two borders and drive through a mountain on this riveting route between Switzerland and Italy. From Geneva across the French border to Chamonix (with a cable car ride to the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 m), then through the 11.6 km Tunnel du Mont-Blanc directly beneath Europe's highest peak to Courmayeur and the Roman aqueduct town of Aosta.
NotableUganda Fort Portal to BwindiThis western Uganda drive links Fort Portal’s crater lakes and tea country with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s gorilla valleys. The route passes through rolling highlands, busy market towns, and Rift Valley edges before climbing into misty forest. It is a rewarding overland approach to one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations.
IconicVal d'OrciaThe World Heritage-listed landscapes of Val d'Orcia have featured in Gladiator, The English Patient, and countless Renaissance paintings. Patchwork hills of cypress and wheat, walled medieval cities, Brunello di Montalcino paired with chestnuts and truffles, and the fortress of Radicofani at the end.
NotableValle de Guadalupe Wine RouteThis easy Baja wine-country drive links Ensenada to the rolling vineyards of Valle de Guadalupe, where rustic tasting rooms, farm-to-table restaurants, and boutique lodges sit among olive groves and dusty ranch roads. The route is short, scenic, and best enjoyed slowly over a long weekend.
IconicVildmarksvägen Wilderness RoadSweden’s Vildmarksvägen is a classic northern loop through Lapland, linking forests, lakes, and high-country fells between Strömsund, Gäddede, and Vilhelmina. The drive mixes salmon rivers, Sami landscapes, and wide-open mountain views, with easy access to hikes, waterfalls, and summer wildlife.
NotableWaiheke Island CircuitJust an hour's ferry from Auckland, Waiheke has its own warm, dry microclimate and a reputation as a Tuscan facsimile in the Pacific, vineyards, olive groves, and art galleries on a hilly island of excellent beaches. The island drive takes in Man O' War Bay, Onetangi Beach, the Connells Bay sculpture park, and several vineyards with restaurants overlooking the Hauraki Gulf.
NotableWaterfall WayWaterfall Way is one of northern New South Wales’ most rewarding short road trips, climbing from the coastal plains at Coffs Harbour into the cool New England tablelands near Armidale. The drive strings together rainforest, escarpment lookouts, and a run of dramatic waterfalls in national parks along a well-sealed, easy route.
NotableWhite Desert and Bahariya OasisThis desert road trip begins in Cairo and runs west to Bahariya Oasis, then into Egypt’s surreal White Desert, where chalk towers, mushroom rocks, and wind-carved plains glow gold at sunset. It combines a sealed highway approach with short, guided desert sections and overnight camping under clear Sahara skies.
IconicWhite Mountains KancamagusNew Hampshire's Kancamagus Highway cuts through the White Mountain National Forest without a single traffic light. In fall, the hardwoods burn crimson and gold, one of the great foliage drives in the world.
NotableWillamette ValleyPinot Noir is the grape that put Oregon on the wine map when Eyrie Vineyards beat the French at the 1979 Wine Olympics. The 180km Willamette basin runs between the coast and the Cascades, I-5 and 99W threading past vineyards, hop yards, winding rivers, and bubbling hot springs from Portland to Eugene.
Hidden GemWooden Churches Route, PolandThrough southern Małopolska's UNESCO-listed wooden churches, shaped like dainty wizard's hats, these all-wooden medieval churches survived centuries of wars, Tatar raids, and two world wars. The route east of Kraków visits Lipnica Murowana, Binarowa, Sekowa, and the largest Gothic-style wooden church in Europe at Haczów.
NotableYakutsk to Lena PillarsThis out-and-back road trip leaves Yakutsk on the Lena Highway corridor toward the western bank of the Lena River, ending at the launch point for Lena Pillars. The drive is a stark Siberian journey through taiga, river valleys, and remote settlement country before a boat transfer to the sandstone cliffs.
IconicZagorohoria, GreeceInto the slate-and-stone villages of the Zagori in the Pindos Mountains of Epirus, one of Greece's most untouched regions where roads are steep and narrow, stone bridges arch over rushing rivers, and village squares are shaded by centuries-old plane trees. The antidote to the Greek islands.
Hidden GemZanzibar Island LoopThis relaxed island loop traces Zanzibar’s best road-accessible highlights, from Stone Town’s coral-stone lanes to spice farms, northern beaches, and the quieter east coast. It blends Swahili history, dhow harbors, and palm-fringed villages into an easy coastal circuit with frequent photo stops.
IconicZhangye Danxia to DunhuangThis Gansu road trip links Zhangye’s rainbow-striped Danxia landforms with the oasis city of Dunhuang along the historic Hexi Corridor. Expect wide desert plains, distant Qilian Mountain views, Silk Road relics, and long, open highway sections between oasis stops and service towns.
Heritage RouteAl Salmi Desert RoadA straightforward westward desert drive on Kuwait's Route 30, the Al Salmi Road links Kuwait City with the open sand plains near the Saudi border. The landscape is stark and low-lying, with long sightlines, big skies, and occasional service stops rather than towns or attractions.
NotableBieszczady Mountains Polish WildernessA winding loop through Poland’s wild southeastern corner, this drive links mountain villages, forested passes, and lookout points in the Bieszczady range. Expect quiet roads, grazing meadows, and access to short hikes around Solina, Wetlina, Ustrzyki Górne, and the high-country edges of Bieszczadzki National Park.
Hidden GemBulgarian Black Sea Coast Burgas to SinemoretsThis relaxed coastal drive follows Bulgaria’s southern Black Sea shore from Burgas to the quieter edge of Strandzha near Sinemorets. Expect salt lagoons, long sandy beaches, seaside resorts, fishing villages, and a final stretch of wild coastline around Veleka River and Silistar.
NotableChapada dos GuimaraesA classic self-drive from Cuiabá into the sandstone tablelands of Chapada dos Guimarães, where the road climbs from Mato Grosso’s heat into escarpments, waterfalls, and wide cerrado views. Base yourself in the park area and explore the rim, caves, and lookouts along short paved drives.
NotableCosta do Sol: Búzios and Cabo FrioA relaxed coastal loop through Rio de Janeiro’s Costa do Sol, this drive links the relaxed beaches of Cabo Frio with the granite coves and viewpoints of Búzios. It’s best as a short two-day road trip with time for beach stops, seafood lunches, and sunset along the shore.
NotableCosta Esmeralda Florianopolis to BombinhasThis short Atlantic-coast drive links Florianópolis to Bombinhas through Santa Catarina’s Costa Esmeralda, with beach towns, offshore islands, and turquoise bays along the way. The route is paved and straightforward, best enjoyed as a leisurely summer escape with stops for swimming, seafood, and viewpoints.
NotableDead Sea and Jordan ValleyFollow the Jordan Valley from Amman to the Dead Sea, then continue south along the shoreline to the Mujib area and the lush farms of Ghor al-Safi. This easy drive mixes dramatic escarpments, salt flats, and wide views across one of the lowest places on Earth.
NotableDebed Canyon and Northern MonasteriesThis northern Armenia road trip follows the scenic Debed Canyon from Vanadzor to Alaverdi and onward to the Georgian border zone, linking hillside villages with some of the country’s finest monasteries. Expect winding but paved roads, river views, and memorable stops at Haghpat, Sanahin, and Odzun.
Hidden GemEssaouira to Agadir Atlantic CoastThis relaxed Atlantic drive follows Morocco’s coast south from Essaouira to Agadir, with sea views, windswept beaches, and easy stops in fishing towns and surf breaks. It is a straightforward paved route with good road access, best enjoyed in mild weather when the ocean light is clear.
NotableGobustan and Absheron PeninsulaA compact road trip from Baku into Azerbaijan’s surreal semi-desert landscapes, this loop links prehistoric petroglyphs, mud volcano fields, and the fire-worship heritage of the Absheron Peninsula. Expect paved roads, short museum stops, windswept coast, and dramatic sunset views over the Caspian.
Hidden GemJarabacoa and Constanza Mountain LoopThis highland loop links the Dominican Republic’s two classic mountain towns, climbing from Jarabacoa into the cool Valle Nuevo plateau and down to Constanza’s vegetable fields. Expect steep switchbacks, pine forests, waterfalls, and broad views of the Cordillera Central, with the best driving in the dry season.
NotableKakheti Wine CountryA relaxed loop through eastern Georgia’s winemaking heart, this drive follows vineyard lanes and small market towns from Tbilisi into Kakheti. Taste qvevri wines in Sighnaghi and Telavi, pause at hilltop monasteries, and finish with wide Alazani Valley views under the Caucasus.
NotableKenting and the Hengchun PeninsulaA relaxed loop around Taiwan’s southern tip, this drive links Hengchun’s old walls, Kenting’s beach parks, and the wind-battered cliffs of the Pacific coast. Expect lush tropical scenery, coral limestone, seaside viewpoints, and short detours to snorkeling coves and sunset lookouts.
Hidden GemKuwait Bay Heritage CircuitThis easy coastal loop traces Kuwait Bay from Kuwait City’s restored heritage core to the waterfront landmarks that frame the capital. Expect smooth highways, sea views, and a mix of old souqs, modern skyline stops, and museum-style landmarks that tell Kuwait’s story in one compact day trip.
IconicMendoza Wine Region and Uco ValleyA relaxed wine-country loop from Mendoza city through Maipú, Luján de Cuyo, and the wide-open Uco Valley. Drive between olive groves, vineyard estates, and snow-backed Andes views, stopping for Malbec tastings, winery lunches, and sunset light over Tunuyán and Tupungato.
NotableMullerthal Little SwitzerlandA gentle loop through Luxembourg’s Mullerthal region, this drive links forested lanes, sandstone cliffs, and storybook villages around the Sauer and Ernz valleys. Expect short stops for the famous rock formations, small waterfalls, and castle views, with smooth roads and easy access throughout.
Heritage RouteMutlaa Ridge and Northern KuwaitA compact day drive from Kuwait City into the open northern desert, this route climbs Mutlaa Ridge for broad views before looping past old pearl-diving coastlines, salt flats, and windswept plains near the Iraqi frontier. It pairs empty horizons with straightforward roads and easy fuel stops.
IconicQuebrada de HumahuacaThis classic northwestern Argentina drive follows Ruta 9 through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a narrow Andean valley of multicolored cliffs, adobe villages, and high-desert light. Start in San Salvador de Jujuy and end in Humahuaca, stopping at Purmamarca, Tilcara, and dramatic viewpoints along the UNESCO-listed corridor.
NotableRiga to Cape Kolka Coastal RouteThis Baltic shoreline drive leaves Riga for the wide beaches, pine forests, and quiet fishing towns of Latvia’s west coast before reaching remote Cape Kolka, where the Gulf of Riga meets the open Baltic Sea. It’s an easy, atmospheric route with frequent stops for dunes, birdlife, and sea views.
IconicRuta Panorámica Puerto RicoPuerto Rico’s Ruta Panorámica is a mountain-to-coast drive across the island’s interior, linking forested ridges, coffee towns, and panoramic overlooks. The classic road-trip stretch runs from the western highlands near Mayagüez to the eastern side around Maunabo, with switchbacks, cool cloud-forest air, and views that change with every climb.
Hidden GemSamana to Punta Cana Coastal DriveThis eastern Dominican road trip links the lush Samaná Peninsula with Punta Cana’s resort coast, tracing a mix of seaside highways, fishing towns, and palm-lined inland stretches. Expect bay views near Samaná, rolling countryside around El Seibo, and a smooth finish on the white-sand beaches of Bávaro and Punta Cana.
Hidden GemSt Catherine to DahabThis short Sinai drive links the granite monasteries and mountain basins of St Catherine with the Red Sea town of Dahab. The road drops from stark high desert into wide wadis and open coastal plains, with rugged peaks behind and clear water ahead.
Hidden GemSuriname Coastal Highway Paramaribo to Nieuw NickerieThis straight, low-key coastal drive follows Suriname’s main westbound highway from Paramaribo to Nieuw Nickerie, crossing wide rivers, rice-country plains, and sleepy villages. It is a practical one-day road trip with river ferries and long stretches of flat, tropical scenery rather than dramatic mountain views.
IconicTahiti Island Circle RoadThis relaxed loop follows Tahiti’s coastal roads around both Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, linking black-sand beaches, surf breaks, waterfalls, and volcanic headlands. Expect lush mountain backdrops, lagoon viewpoints, and easy stops in Papeete, Taravao, and Teahupo’o on a classic island-drive day.
NotableTequila and Jalisco HighlandsA relaxed loop through the blue-agave hills and colonial towns west and north of Guadalajara, this drive links the tequila heartland with the cool highlands of Jalisco. Expect distillery visits, hacienda views, and stone-plaza towns set against volcanic landscapes and broad ranch country.
NotableVale dos Vinhedos Bento Goncalves Wine RouteThis relaxed loop through Serra Gaúcha links Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi, and the vineyard-lined Vale dos Vinhedos, Brazil’s best-known wine district. Expect paved country roads, hillside estates, cellar doors, Italian-Brazilian food, and sweeping views of neatly planted vines and rolling green valleys.
IconicAbergwesyn Mountain PassWales's finest mountain road, the Abergwesyn Pass climbs from Tregaron through hairpin bends known as the Devil's Staircase to staggering views over the Cambrian Mountains. Short but intense: forest, valley, lake, and moorland in a route that rewards anyone willing to leave the A-roads behind.
NotableAlnwick to LindisfarneNorthumberland's panoramic coast road from Alnwick north along the A1 to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, through one of Britain's finest stretches of undeveloped shoreline past Bamburgh Castle, Seahouses harbour, and the causeway that connects Holy Island only at low tide. Lindisfarne Priory closes November through January.
IconicBaeksu Coastal RoadOne of the most famous short drives in Korea, National Highway 77 explores the lush rural province of Jeollanam-do through dramatically changing landscapes from rolling green hills to precipitous coastal cliffs. Hundreds of off-shore islands are visible from the road, with Dombaeseom Island (fishing) and Chilsando Island (extraordinary hiking) the most rewarding short detours.
NotableBonneville Salt FlatsThe remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville, 200km² of blinding white salt crust where land speed records are broken and the curvature of the Earth is visible to the naked eye. I-80 is one of the straightest, most surreal roads in America.
NotableBran Pass, RomaniaThrough Romania's medieval Transylvania from Brasov to Rucar, past Râșnov's maze-like citadel on a high hill, Bran Castle's Gothic towers (forever linked with Dracula), and along hairpin bends above forlorn country villages to the Bucegi Mountains. Best driven between May and October; the Bran–Rucar stretch can be perilous in winter.
IconicCentral Otago Wine TrailThe world's southernmost wine region hugs valley roads between Queenstown and Wanaka, vineyards fighting for space between rugged schist mountains and the Kawarau River gorge. Central Otago Pinot Noir and Riesling rival anything from Burgundy or Alsace.
IconicCity to Desert: Dubai to LiwaFrom the hypermodern towers of Dubai across the Abu Dhabi desert to the Liwa Oasis on the edge of the Empty Quarter, the largest uninterrupted sand desert on Earth. The Moreeb Dune (300m, one of the world's highest natural dunes), the ancient falaj irrigation system of the oasis, and the vast silence of the Rub' al Khali beyond the date palms are the rewards.
IconicCrossing the Khardung LaLadakh has more tricks up its sleeve than the drive in from Srinagar or Manali, a highway seemingly built from rock and ice struggles north across the 5,359 m Khardung La, said to be the world's highest motorable pass (at a similar elevation to Everest Base Camp). On the far side the Nubra Valley is a piece of suspended animation: a sandy basin dotted with Buddhist monasteries, sea buckthorn thickets, and occasional dromedary camels.
IconicCuronian SpitFrom the Hill of Crosses through the Baltic coast to the Curonian Spit, a 98 km slip of dunes and pine forest shared between Lithuania and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The route ends in Nida, a village of painted fishing cottages and Thomas Mann's summer house above the world's tallest moving sand dunes.
NotableDili to BaliboNot for the faint-hearted, this trail bike or 4WD-only road winds through small, pretty villages and very green countryside to Maliana (capital of Bobonaro), then a short hike to the old Portuguese fort at Balibo. Falintil used this road extensively in the Indonesian invasion of 1975; the five journalists known as the Balibo Five were killed here. The Australian Defence Forces considered it too dangerous to use.
IconicDublin to the Wicklow MountainsFrom Dublin's Georgian streets into the granite mountains of the Wicklow interior, through Sally Gap's bare moorland, the oak forest of Glenealo Valley, mirror lakes, and stone ruins. The Emerald Isle's most accessible wilderness drive, returning via the coast at Bray.
IconicEstrada da GraciosaThe historic colonial road carved through the Serra do Mar Atlantic Forest in 1872, PR-410 descends 900m from the Paraná plateau to the coast through dense rainforest, roadside waterfalls, and the colonial riverside town of Morretes, the home of barreado.
NotableGlasgow to Fort WilliamThe perfect introduction to the Scottish Highlands, from Glasgow's urban grit north through Loch Lomond's pastoral shoreline, the Trossachs National Park villages of Tarbet and Crianlarich, and along the great loch itself before the landscape shifts into the imposing drama of Glen Coe and Ben Nevis.
IconicGreat Glen WayThe A82 follows the Great Glen fault line from Fort William to Inverness, a geological crack splitting Scotland in two, now filled by Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, and the most famous stretch of water in the world: Loch Ness.
Hidden GemGuča Festival DriveSerbia is one of the most exciting places to hear live music in the world, the drive from Belgrade to Guča for the Dragačevo Trumpet Assembly is a pilgrimage to the planet's greatest brass band festival: several days of free music, folk dancing, and a final battle-of-the-bands jury that chooses the finest blowers from across the Balkans.
NotableHighway 500The Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve rising above Kota Kinabalu, where truck drivers rig plastic pipes to drip cooling water onto their brake drums on the descent, and the road passes through vibrant jungle villages to the Rafflesia Information Centre, home of the world's most pungent flower.
LegendaryKaikoura CoastSH1 north of Christchurch is one of the world's great coastal drives, the Seaward Kaikoura Range falls sheer into the Pacific, sperm whales feed in the canyon just offshore, and New Zealand fur seals laze on every rock shelf.
NotableLivradois-Forez, FranceThrough the Livradois-Forez Regional Park from Vichy's thermal waters south to the volcanic towers of Le Puy-en-Velay, via time-trapped Thiers (knife-making capital of France), creamy Ambert (birthplace of Fourme d'Ambert cheese), and the enigmatic abbey church of La Chaise-Dieu. Deeply provincial, deeply French.
IconicMálaga to SevilleThrough the history of Andalucia, from Málaga's airport hub west through the pueblos blancos (white villages), Arcos de la Frontera's clifftop drama, the mountaintop city of Ronda, and the Moorish legacy of Córdoba's mosques and Granada's palaces to the Alcázar of Seville. Spain's most culturally dense short drive.
NotableMansfield to MarysvilleVictoria's High Country gravel road from Mansfield through Woods Point to Marysville, through remote forest and mountain ranges on unsealed roads that venture into country where 4WD clearance is an advantage. The section between Mansfield and Woods Point feels further from civilisation than its distance from Melbourne suggests.
NotableMoldova's Monastery RouteThrough Moldova's untouristed pastoral interior, hay bales, limestone ridges, horse carts on the M2, and cave monasteries carved from cliffs above the Răut River. A largely forgotten corner of Europe with some of the most extraordinary Orthodox religious architecture on the continent.
NotableRoute 59 Košice–Banská BystricaSlovakia's most scenic mountain route connects two great historical cities through the volcanic Slovak Ore Mountains, medieval mining towns, thermal lakes, cave systems, and an absence of tourists that feels like discovering Europe in 1985.
NotableRoute de TuriniThe most celebrated stage of the Monte Carlo Rally, a sinuous mountain road climbing from the Ligurian coast through chestnut forest to the Col de Turini at 1607m. Every hairpin is banked, every view cinematic.
NotableSalento Coast, PugliaAlong the wild coastline of the Salento, the tip of Italy's heel in Puglia, from Otranto to Gallipoli along a jagged shore of sea stacks, hidden coves, and shimmering water in a hundred shades of blue. Prickly pears line the road; the finibus terrae (end of the world) is at Santa Maria di Leuca.
NotableSicily's SoutheastThrough Sicily's baroque southeast, Noto, Ispica, Modica, Ragusa, and Chiaramonte Gulfi rebuilt in Baroque splendour after the 1693 earthquake that levelled the region. The Cava d'Ispica gorge, grey drystone walls, citrus groves, and vivid Mediterranean colours in the sharpest light in Europe.
NotableSnaefell Mountain CourseThe world's oldest motorcycle race circuit, since 1911 the TT course has looped from Douglas up through mountain villages to the 422-metre Snaefell summit road and back. Outside TT week you can drive the full circuit at your own pace through stone walls, coastal hedgerows, and moorland; during TT the roads close and 250 riders race at an average of 216 km/h.
NotableSydney to Nelson BayNorth from Australia's largest city into the Port Stephens region, through dramatic dunes, palm-flanked waters, and the quiet coastal communities of Shoal Bay and Anna Bay before Nelson Bay's whale watching and waterfront promenade. The escape that Sydney doesn't talk about.
IconicThe Black SpurVictoria's finest short drive, the Black Spur between Healesville and Marysville weaves through stands of colossal Mountain Ash eucalypts and giant ferns, with corner after sweeping corner on a twisty section of tarmac that raises pulses whether you're on a motorbike or in a sports car. Best experienced on a weekday away from weekend traffic.
IconicThe Hogback, UtahRoute 12 south from Torrey climbs to a 2,750 m pass through Dixie National Forest pine trees before reaching the narrow spine of The Hogback, a tarred road balanced on a razor ridge with near-vertical drops into canyon on both sides. One of the most dramatic stretches of road in America, ending in the frontier town of Escalante with Cowboy Blues' legendary local trout.
IconicWaimea Canyon DriveThe "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", HI-550 climbs from Kauaʻi's red-dirt lowlands to a 1200m lookout above a canyon 16km long and 900m deep, its walls stripped in ochre, violet, and jungle green by five million years of erosion.