Mountain roads around the world offer some of the most scenic, adventurous, and challenging driving experiences. Here are a few of the most iconic mountain roads globally:
- Stelvio Pass, Italy
Elevation: 2,757 meters (9,045 feet)
One of the highest and most famous mountain roads in Europe, Stelvio Pass is known for its hairpin turns and dramatic Alpine views. It's popular among motorists, cyclists, and thrill-seekers.
- The Karakoram Highway, Pakistan/China
Elevation: 4,714 meters (15,466 feet)
The Karakoram Highway is one of the highest paved international roads, connecting Pakistan and China through the Karakoram mountain range. It offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and valleys.
- Tianmen Mountain Road, China
Elevation: Up to 1,300 meters (4,265 feet)
Also called "The Road to Heaven," this road has 99 sharp turns leading up to Tianmen Mountain in Hunan Province. The views are spectacular, and the winding road is a popular attraction.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road, USA
Elevation: 2,026 meters (6,646 feet)
Located in Montana's Glacier National Park, this road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, glaciers, and lakes.
- Transfăgărășan Highway, Romania
Elevation: 2,042 meters (6,699 feet)
This scenic highway runs through the Southern Carpathians and offers spectacular views, making it one of the most famous roads in Europe. It features long tunnels, viaducts, and winding curves.
- Sani Pass, South Africa/Lesotho
Elevation: 2,876 meters (9,436 feet)
Known for being one of the most treacherous mountain roads in Africa, Sani Pass is located between South Africa and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. It's an unpaved, steep road with rugged terrain but offers incredible views.
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
Elevation: 2,504 meters (8,215 feet)
This road winds through the Austrian Alps and offers a close-up view of Austria's tallest mountain, Grossglockner. It's famous for its panoramic views of the mountains and valleys.
- Leh-Manali Highway, India
Elevation: 5,328 meters (17,480 feet)
One of the highest mountain highways in the world, this road in the Indian Himalayas connects Leh in Ladakh to Manali in Himachal Pradesh. It passes through rugged terrain, including high mountain passes like Tanglang La and Rohtang Pass.
- Col de l'Iseran, France
Elevation: 2,770 meters (9,088 feet)
Located in the French Alps, this is the highest paved pass in the Alps. It offers picturesque views of valleys, snow-covered peaks, and high-altitude villages.
- Milford Road, New Zealand
Elevation: 940 meters (3,084 feet)
Milford Road is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound in New Zealand. It passes through stunning mountainous terrain, rainforests, and offers views of waterfalls and fjords.
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Mountain roads like these offer incredible driving experiences but often come with challenges, including steep gradients, sharp turns, and extreme weather conditions. They require careful planning and skilled driving, especially at high elevations.
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