The Amalfi Coast Highway, ItalyFew stretches of tarmac capture the imagination quite like Italy’s Amalfi Coast Highway. Known formally as the Strada Statale 163, this route carves its way along the rugged cliffs of the Sorrentine Peninsula. This year, it tops global lists for its newly restored viewpoints and enhanced roadside amenities. Drivers navigate a dramatic ribbons of asphalt suspended between towering limestone cliffs and the deep blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Pastel-colored villages like Positano and Amalfi cling precariously to the rock face, offering perfect pit stops for espresso and coastal photography.
The Icefields Parkway, CanadaLinking Lake Louise and Jasper through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the Icefields Parkway is a masterclass in wilderness engineering. Spanning 232 kilometers, this legendary highway parallels the Continental Divide, treating travelers to an endless parade of ancient glaciers, turquoise alpine lakes, and cascading waterfalls. Wildlife sightings are common, with elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep frequently appearing near the road shoulders. The highlight of the route remains the Columbia Icefield, where drivers can step out to witness the massive Athabasca Glacier up close.
The Great Ocean Road, AustraliaAustralia’s southeastern coast plays host to the Great Ocean Road, a 243-kilometer heritage-listed route that provides the ultimate coastal road trip. The drive winds through temperate rainforests, dramatic surfing beaches, and historic fishing ports. The crowning jewel of this journey is the collection of limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles, rising majestically from the Southern Ocean. Recent infrastructure upgrades have opened new eco-tourism walking paths along the cliffs, allowing motorists to stretch their legs while soaking in the crashing waves below.
The Atlantic Ocean Road, NorwayThough brief at just over eight kilometers, Norway’s Atlantic Ocean Road delivers a highly concentrated dose of architectural wonder and coastal drama. This engineering masterpiece hops from island to island via a series of eight uniquely curved bridges that seem to hover over the open sea. During calm weather, the drive offers serene views of the Norwegian Sea and distant mountains. When storms roll in, the route transforms into a thrilling theater of nature, with massive waves crashing safely against the elevated concrete structures.
Route 1, IcelandCommonly referred to as the Ring Road, Iceland’s Route 1 encircles the entire island nation, covering over 1,300 kilometers of surreal volcanic territory. The journey guides travelers through an ever-shifting landscape of steaming geothermal vents, black sand beaches, roaring waterfalls, and massive glacier tongues. Driving the entire loop reveals the stark, otherworldly beauty of the North Atlantic, where the landscape transitions seamlessly from moss-covered lava fields to dramatic fjords under the glow of the midnight sun.
The Pacific Coast Highway, USACalifornia’s Highway 1 remains an eternal favorite, but recent renovations to its most scenic stretches have made it a must-drive this year. Winding along the rugged cliffs of Big Sur, the highway offers breathtaking panoramas of the Pacific Ocean. The iconic Bixby Creek Bridge serves as a magnificent architectural anchor against the dramatic coastal drop-offs. Towering redwood forests frame the northern stretches of the drive, while sunny, surf-beaten beaches dominate the south, capturing the diverse spirit of the Golden State.
The Chapman’s Peak Drive, South AfricaAffectionately known as “Chappies,” this short but spectacularly engineered marine drive clings to the Atlantic coast of the southwestern tip of South Africa. Snaking between Noordhoek and Hout Bay near Cape Town, the road features 114 curves carved into the sheer face of a mountain that plunges vertically into the ocean. Drivers are treated to near-constant 180-degree views of the Atlantic, with numerous roadside pull-outs designed specifically for whale watching and viewing the fiery South African sunsets.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, AustriaReaching an elevation of over 2,500 meters, this premier alpine pass delivers the ultimate European mountain driving experience. The road features 36 hairpin turns that ascend through lush green pastures, dense pine forests, and rocky high-altitude expanses. The route is named after the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, and leads directly to the spectacular Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe visitors center. From there, motorists enjoy a panoramic view of the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, surrounded by towering, snow-capped summits.
The Milford Road, New ZealandLocated on the South Island of New Zealand, the Milford Road is a journey into the heart of Fiordland National Park. This highway cuts through deep glacier-carved valleys and under the shadow of massive granite peaks that weep with hundreds of temporary waterfalls during rainstorms. Passing through the Homer Tunnel brings drivers into a primeval landscape that culminates at the world-famous Milford Sound. The sheer scale of the vertical cliffs rising from the dark waters makes this remote drive unforgettable.
The Transfagarasan, RomaniaBuilt as a military route across the Carpathian Mountains, the Transfagarasan has become a pilgrimage site for driving enthusiasts worldwide. The road climbs to an altitude of over 2,000 meters, connecting Transylvania and Muntenia through a dazzling sequence of sharp hairpins, long S-curves, and steep descents. The landscape features dramatic mountain ridges, a glacial lake at the summit, and a waterfall that cascades beneath the concrete viaducts, providing a raw and exhilarating alpine adventure.
Exploring the world by automobile provides an unmatched sense of freedom and a front-row seat to the planet’s most spectacular landscapes. From the sheer cliffs of the Mediterranean to the glacial valleys of the Southern Hemisphere, these ten scenic drives represent the pinnacle of automotive travel this year. Each route offers a unique blend of natural wonder and human engineering, waiting to reward travelers with memories that will last a lifetime
Leave a Reply