Top 10 most beautiful roads in the world. The most beautiful roads in the world - the best routes for traveling by car

Asia

Simply driving any of the roads on our list is enough to have an amazing vacation! After all, along the way you can see beautiful places our planet and feel the spirit of life on wheels. This place will never be forgotten.

Let's get to know the most stunning beautiful roads in the world. And let's hope that we get to drive at least one of them. In the meantime, with the help of video, we will go through them virtually.

1. On the edge of the abyss. France: Verdon Gorge

Grand Canyon, but not in the USA? Rocky gorge, but not in the desert? No matter how the Verdon Gorge is called, the fact remains that today it is the most grand canyon throughout Europe: its length is 25 kilometers, and the depth reaches 700 meters! Although the scale of the Verdon Gorge is inferior Arizona Canyon, but clearly surpasses it in beauty: in spring and summer, trees and shrubs cover the slopes with a thick layer, passing only in front of the very sheer cliffs. It will take a whole day to go around the gorge in a circle, although there are only a hundred kilometers. But they all consist entirely of bends, descents and ascents, man-made tunnels and driveways under rocks hanging overhead and hiding the sky.

2. High in the mountains. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan: Pamir Highway

Travelers are always attracted by places marked "most-most": the northernmost point of Europe, the westernmost point of Russia, the most high mountain, the most deep depression. The Pamir Highway is one of those places. After all, the highest mountain road in the territory of the former USSR.

3. From north to south. USA: Dalton Highway

This is Alaska, gentlemen! A harsh and at first glance unfriendly land, which will give only a prepared and responsible traveler unforgettable experience and discover their riches.

Alaska really has something to share: the largest US state is still almost not spoiled by civilization; 23 (!) National parks and reserves are located on its territory. Through some of them: "White Mountains", national reserve arctic wildlife, nature reserves on the banks of the Yukon River, the Arctic Gates reserve - just the Dalton Highway passes, either getting lost in a flat snow-covered or grass-covered plain, or winding between wooded mountains surrounding on all sides.

4. To the homeland of Dracula. Romania: Transfagaras Highway

Transfagaras is one of the rare examples of how an object created for military purposes becomes famous all over the world and attracts many tourists to the country. The 261 km long highway passes through picturesque valleys and fields of eared wheat, which Romanians sometimes still harvest by hand, past lakes and reservoirs, through pretty Romanian villages with identical dark stone houses. Not far from the beginning of the highway is the pretty town of Sibiu with classical Romanian architecture, where, as in the Romanian language, Latin, Romance and Slavic heritage are mixed.

5. Expanses of Altai. Russia: Chuisky tract

This old road is the first thread that connected Russia and China many centuries ago. Driving along the Chuisky tract is like crossing the whole of Russia. The path begins in Biysk, from birch groves and villages, in one of which the writer Vasily Shukshin was born. And after a hundred kilometers, it is worth passing Gorno-Altaisk, it seems as if you find yourself in the time of the development of Siberia: the stormy waters of the Katun, rocky gorges and green valleys. The mountain taiga begins.

If you turn left, you will get to Lake Teletskoye, to the right - to the foot of Belukha, where Roerich was looking for Shambhala on the way to the Himalayas. And if you drive straight all the time, you will see the Kurai steppe at the foot of the North-Chuysky ridge. If you wish, you can drive a few kilometers and climb on foot to the eternal snows. In the Kurai steppe, there are the last islands of the taiga, and already beyond the pass, the real steppe begins, where nomads' yurts stand and camel caravans roam.

6. Visit the trolls. Norway: Atlantic Road

atlantic road(No 64) goes almost along the ocean itself, jumping from island to island with the help of bridges and tunnels. This is a unique technological facility: the route is only 8.5 kilometers long - as many as six bridges! The main one is the Storseisundet Bridge, which is also called the "Bridge to Heaven". If you approach it from the side of the mainland, it seems as if the roadbed breaks off at highest point and the traveler can only jump straight into the sky.

However, the Atlantic road is only part of the route through the fjords. Moving along it further towards Oslo, you will come to one of the most famous serpentines in Europe - the “Troll Stairs” climbing the slope of the mountain. Harmful trolls often hang their stairs with thick fog, but this makes the serpentine even more beautiful: gray stones and bizarre rocks, densely overgrown with juicy bright green grass and moss, appear through the "milk".

7. Stand above the clouds. China: Big Gate Road

This road is one of the steepest serpentines in the world in every sense. She climbs Mount Tianmen, which is located 8 kilometers from the city of Zhangjiajie in southeast China. This 11 km long asphalt belt rises to a mark of 1300 meters, making 99 turns along the way! For the Chinese, the number 9 is sacred: it is the number of the emperor, as well as the number of palaces that, according to legend, are waiting for a person in heaven.

The main attraction of the route is the Heaven's Gate Cave. It was formed in the III century, when a huge block broke off from the rock. The 131.5 meter high "gate" is often completely shrouded in fog. locals they believe that, having passed through them, one can really go to heaven.

8. Through the pampas. Argentina: Route 40

Highway number 40 (Ruta 40) crosses almost all of Argentina from north to south and goes along the high Andean ridges. This is one of the longest roads in the world: 5,000 kilometers is no joke! Especially if they pass through several climatic zones. The landscape around is constantly changing: forests, rocks, lakes, fields, meadows, deserts, almost uninhabited pampas, asphalt and gravel, dust and red sand, sun and wind knocking down...

Los Glaciares Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site natural heritage, you can visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, where the third largest fresh water reserve in the world is located. Its area is quite comparable to the area of the whole of Buenos Aires, while the glacier is in constant motion, changing its location by an average of 2 meters every day. You can admire it both from viewing platforms and by going for a walk right on the crumbled ice, accompanied by a climber.

9. Colorado Plateau. USA: Great Circle

The American Wild West is the territories west of the Rocky Mountains. When the pioneers first began to develop Indian territories, they stumbled upon unique natural attractions that they could not appreciate. Today this area is called the "Great Circle".

The most convenient way to go from Denver is to first climb to the Rocky Mountains National Park, where the Colorado River originates, and follow further through Aspen to the Colorado Plateau. On the way, it is worth seeing Arches Park and the famous Monument Valley in the territory of the Navajo Indians. Near the town of Page, you can not miss the inconspicuous Antelope Canyon - on the side of the road there will be a simple wooden billboard with the appropriate inscription. Here it is worth going for a boat trip on Lake Powell, since you can rent a boat. A little south of Page begins the famous Grand Canyon. If you drive along its southern part, then in addition to views of the canyon, you will be able to catch a preserved piece of the first trans-American Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles.

10. Along the edge of the continent. Australia: Great Ocean Road

Great ocean road 243 kilometers long runs along the Pacific coast of Australia. The road has no practical significance - it was built by soldiers who returned from the First World War as a monument to the victims of the battles. After opening in 1932, the road became the largest military memorial in the world, and thirty years later it was recognized as one of the most picturesque on the planet. And for good reason: the track runs almost along the coast itself, from where you can see the endless expanses of water and quiet secluded lagoons. Among the main attractions along the way is the mysterious "Shipwreck Coast", where 638 ships crashed. And the "Twelve Apostles" - a group of limestone rocks standing separately in the ocean up to 45 meters high. In fact, there are only eight rocks here, and until recently they were called only “Pig and Pigs”.

In the world there are a huge number of roads of different types of complexity, different layouts and importance. Some of them pass between cities, others lead through mountains and valleys. In this collection I will tell you about the most beautiful and famous roads peace. They are very popular with hikers and hikers because of the picturesque landscapes and many twists and turns. Driving along such a road, you will not leave a feeling of delight, and sometimes even fear.

1. These roads are not only the most beautiful, but also the most winding. We have already written about the most dangerous roads in the world, this topic will be a continuation of the selection. We start at the Stelvio Pass in the eastern Italian Alps, this zigzag road extends up to 2.7 kilometers above sea level with around 60 hairpin bends. Looking at it from the side is very beautiful, but driving on it is very dangerous.

This is one of the most unusual roads on our list, passing along the bed of a frozen river. It connects the remote corners of Canada with civilization, but only during the cold season, when the river is in a frozen state.

14. Atlantic Road in Norway

This is one of the most popular tourist routes in Norway, and its real decoration is Storsesandet bridge, which is often called the bridge to nowhere

Sometimes the charm and delight in traveling does not come from contemplating the sights at the final destination, but during the journey itself. This review presents the most beautiful roads in the world, the trip on which is already an exciting and unforgettable adventure. The aesthetics of the trails lies directly in the natural environment. Many paths are laid in mountainous areas, captured by a ring of mountain ranges. Here beauty is closely associated with danger, and speed with recklessness. However, the moments spent on the way will not make you regret the chosen route. So, 10 most beautiful roads in the world.

1. Route 163

You can cross the desert in Arizona and be at one of the most famous sights in the territory of the Navajo Indians on this route. The surrounding landscapes amaze with colors and spaciousness in the way that a huge deserted perimeter covered with sand and rare plants, fanned by dry winds and red-hot by the merciless sun. Monument Valley - a concentration of bizarre rocky boulders. These natural sculptures are named in accordance with the form (Mitten, Mother Superior, Mother Mother). Formations arose over a long time, when the seas dried up, hills arose, sand deposits were honed by winds. Everyone will agree that Route 163 is one of the most beautiful roads in the world.

The Great Ocean Road is located in Australia, in the state of Victoria, and was conceived as a monument to soldiers who did not return from the battlefields of the First World War. The route, framing the waters of the Pacific Ocean from the side of the continent, carries a purely aesthetic value. This is one of the most picturesque attractions in Australia, emphasizing its vastness and privacy. The length of 243 km covers a lot mysterious places, for example, a stretch of coast where over 600 ships sank. During the trip along this road, you can also see the famous limestone cliffs that grow directly from the depths of the ocean 40 meters above its surface.

The Atlantic Road is a true landmark in Norway and one of the most scenic roads on the planet. The path, only 8 km long, runs between the islands, bypassing tunnels, fjords and ceilings. The bridge, which attracts the attention of numerous tourists, is called Storsesandet. This is one of the six bridges, but the most popular among tourists. There are different versions in the interpretation of the translation: “bridge to nowhere”, “bridge to heaven”, “drunken bridge”. The Atlantic Road rises 23 meters above the water level and, when viewed or driven from the mainland, breaks off at the peak. A striking view and an original idea contributed to the title of Route 64 the most exciting road in the world according to authoritative publications.

Chuisky tract is the most beautiful road in Russia. A journey along this route (starting in Novosibirsk and ending at the border with Mongolia) will allow you to see the beauties of Siberia and once again admire the territorial scale and diversity of the country's natural landscape. Passing kilometers (there are 963 of them in total), one can observe how mountain ranges replaced by valleys, and the taiga reluctantly gives way to the steppe regions. Running through the Altai lands, the path is of great importance not only from an aesthetic, but also from a practical point of view. Chui tract is the main transport line Altai region. There is not a single tunnel here and only two passes (Chike-Taman and Seminsky). There is a museum in the city of Biysk, the exposition of which is completely devoted to the stages of construction and development of this federal highway.

In the picturesque Alps, in the immediate vicinity of the border between Italy and Switzerland, an incredibly beautiful track stretches, attracting a huge number of fans of high speeds. The reason: the complexity of the route (60 sharp turns on the way) and bright opportunities for demonstrating the skill of the rider. Only 2.7 kilometers separate the pass from sea level, but, finding themselves on a narrow serpentine in the middle of rocky cliffs and snow-covered peaks, everyone recognizes the driving conditions as dangerous. Overcoming the path of 44 km is on a par with the struggle with your own fear and often involves far more than one attempt.

The most mystical, mysterious regions of Romania, shrouded in legends, were connected by a track, called until recently by the permanent host of the Top Gear program “the most driving one”. 261 km among the Carpathian peaks, ridges, gorges - all this is the Transfagarash highway. The length of the longest tunnel is 900 meters. For the construction of the road, it was necessary to clear and level the space in the mountains; for this, explosive devices were used. Even at the stage of creation, about 40 people died on the road. The path along the highway will allow you to observe pastoral pictures of the life of local residents. Nearby is the epic castle of Count Dracula. A huge number of turns, provided that you are on a narrow serpentine, requires extreme concentration, confidence and a developed ability to quickly respond and make decisions. This is a real test for the racer, and for simple tourist- a true challenge to personal possibilities. And that the Transfagaras Highway deserves its place in the list of the top 10 most beautiful roads in the world.

In an effort to see the most beautiful roads on the planet, one cannot ignore, literally and figuratively, the insidious serpentine Col de Turini, in a mountainous region in the south of France. This road was noted by many testers of high-speed sports cars and participants in the Monte Carlo Rally. This is a kind of connecting link, bypassing which you can get from Nice to Monaco. Serpentine is literally carved into the rock. The route of 30 km is covered by forests. The participants in the movement prefer to move one after another, each turn is a risk of being in an accident, because on the one hand there is a sheer wall, on the other - a steep cliff.

Such a poetic and oriental refined name this scenic road received as a result of the collapse of a rocky block, which formed a cave on the way. Often descend to this area from mountain range Tian Men mists, obstructing visibility and creating the illusion of transition to another reality. The fact that the portal to heavenly palaces is located here is believed by the Chinese themselves, who built this extremely steep route in 2006 on their territory in Hunan province. The length is about 10 km, at the highest point the serpentine goes 1.3 km from the absolute mark. Sacred for the locals, the number 9 is marked here in the number of sharp turns. There are exactly 99 of them, as well as the chances to experience the thrill of driving.

The Pamir Highway is a 1,100 km paved highway connecting Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. This road was laid along the border with Afghanistan in the 19th century. The need for construction was due to the importance of communication between remote areas Russian Empire. Today it is a foreign territory. The route is divided into two sections: from Dushanbe to the city of Khorog and further to locality Osh. The danger on the way lies not so much in the difficult geographical conditions how much in the condition of the roadway. On many sections it is damaged due to the constantly plying loaded trucks from China. Going alone on a trip is not recommended, especially if the driving experience is small. There are no stations for many kilometers. Maintenance, no gas stations, and you can expect help from those passing by for several hours! But, despite the danger, this road is very beautiful and deserves to be on the list of the best.

One of the most difficult and picturesque tracks in the Alps is located within Switzerland. At the highest point, the distance to sea level is 2.1 km. The road is actively used by motorists and cyclists. For the latter, a separate lane is provided here. There is also a railway tunnel with the same name, 15 km long. The tunnel for cars exceeded this indicator by only 1000 meters. The total length of the pass does not exceed 48 km. For Russian citizens, the pass has historical meaning, it was he who was overcome by the commander Suvorov in 1799.

Winding directions, unexpected turns, steep descents and ascents, mesmerizing landscapes - that's what awaits travelers whose path runs through the most beautiful roads in the world. Here the natural perfection of nature and the triumph of human engineering are combined.

Independent car and motorcycle trips are becoming an increasingly popular form of recreation. We have selected for you the ten most interesting roads on four continents that can be a good reason to travel.

1. On the edge of the abyss. France: Verdon Gorge

Grand Canyon, but not in the USA? Rocky gorge, but not in the desert? No matter how the Verdon Gorge is called, the fact remains that today it is the largest canyon in all of Europe: its length is 25 kilometers, and the depth reaches 700 meters! Although the scale of the Verdon Gorge is inferior to the Arizona canyon, it clearly surpasses it in beauty: in spring and summer, trees and shrubs cover the slopes with a thick layer, passing only in front of the most sheer cliffs. It will take a whole day to go around the gorge in a circle, although there are only a hundred kilometers. But they all consist entirely of bends, descents and ascents, man-made tunnels and driveways under rocks hanging overhead and hiding the sky. Most beautiful views on the gorge open from the old Cretan road, or the Cretan loop (Route des Cretes, D23), built in ancient times and passing along the northern edge of the canyon. This narrow winding path in places comes to the very cliff. There are observation decks along its edges, each of which offers breathtaking views of the Verdon. The Cretan loop is considered one-way: you need to drive a car along it clockwise, starting from the town of Castellane towards the artificial lake Sainte-Croix, which was formed after the construction of a dam in 1975. You can swim in the lake and spend a few contemplative hours in the shade of trees with wine and a crispy French baguette. The Luberon Nature Reserve is located 100 kilometers from Verdon Park. It is worth stopping by to admire the leisurely village life and visit the ruins of one of the castles of the famous Marquis de Sade. 2. High in the mountains. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan: Pamir Highway
Travelers are always attracted by places marked "the most-most": the northernmost point of Europe, the westernmost point of Russia, the highest mountain, the deepest depression. The Pamir Highway is one of those places. After all, the highest mountain road in the territory of the former USSR. This almost completely dirt road climbs the spurs of the Pamir Mountains and passes through the three main mountain passes of the Pamirs: Taldyk (3615 m), Kyzyl-Art (4280 m) and the point closest to the "Roof of the World" - the Akbaital Pass (4655 m). The eastern part of the route - from the Kyrgyz city of Osh to the Tajik Khorog - was built in 1931-1934, when the USSR was actively developing the territory of the mountainous Pamirs. It passes through the green foothills, where horses graze and lonely yurts and dung-stained huts stand, as well as past the Pamir National Park, over which Lenin Peak (7134 m) rises.

AWL Images/Fotodom The Pamir Highway is open for travel only in warm weather - in winter there is a high risk of avalanches.

One of the most exciting stops along the way is Karakul Lake, the largest in Tajikistan, located at an altitude of 3914 meters above sea level. From here begins a steep ascent to the spurs of the great Pamir. Rocks, gorges, tunnels, primer, dust, lack of vegetation, rare villages and flocks of sheep - such an almost Martian landscape stretches to the very descent into the valley already on the Tajik side. Your fellow travelers all this time will be trucks, donkeys and jeeps, crammed inside and hung with luggage outside. Turning off the road, you can visit a few more interesting places: villages of local residents, the pass "Farewell, youth", the fortress of fire worshipers Yamchun, hot springs of Bibi-Fatima and much more.

3. From north to south. USA: Dalton Highway

The Dalton Highway is 666 kilometers of dirt road that crosses Alaska almost in the middle from north to south. The route was built in 1974 to deliver cargo to the oil fields of Pradhoe Bay and service the Trans-Alaskan oil pipeline. And the name was given in honor of the engineer James Dalton, a specialist in Arctic construction. On a motorcycle or some overly gluttonous car, one must be careful to meddle here: on the entire highway between Fairbanks, 100 kilometers from which it begins, and Deadhorse, where it ends, there are only two gas stations: at the Yukon River crossing and in Coldfoot (400 km from Fairbanks), so it is better to take the necessary supply of gasoline, as well as tires, tools, food and other essentials with you right away. Medical assistance is also available only in Coldfoot or Deadhorse. This is Alaska, gentlemen! A harsh and at first glance unfriendly land, which will give unforgettable impressions and discover its riches only to a prepared and responsible traveler. Alaska really has something to share: the largest US state is still almost not spoiled by civilization; 23 (!) National parks and reserves are located on its territory. Through some of them: the White Mountains, the Arctic Wildlife National Refuge, the reserves on the banks of the Yukon River, the Gates of the Arctic Wildlife Sanctuary - the Dalton Highway passes right through, either getting lost in a flat snow-covered or grassy plain, or winding between the surrounding wooded mountains on all sides. Another obligatory ritual of all travelers passing along the highway is to take a picture against the background of the sign indicating the North arctic circle.

4. To the homeland of Dracula. Romania: Transfagaras Highway

When planning the construction of a high-altitude highway through the Fagaras massif in 1970, Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu thought least of all about creating an attractive tourist route. Worried about the events in Czechoslovakia, he feared a military invasion of the country and therefore decided to connect the regions of Wallachia and Transylvania with a hard-to-reach mountain road for the speedy transfer military equipment. Now Transfagaras is one of the rare examples of how an object created for military purposes becomes famous all over the world and attracts many tourists to the country. The 261-kilometer highway passes through picturesque valleys and fields with eared wheat, which Romanians sometimes still harvest by hand, past lakes and reservoirs, through cute Romanian villages with identical dark stone houses. Not far from the beginning of the highway is the pretty town of Sibiu with classical Romanian architecture, where, as in the Romanian language, Latin, Romance and Slavic heritage are mixed. Almost every village along the way has Orthodox Church, and a church, and a mosque. And in the town of Curtea de Arges, you can admire the cathedral with stunning carvings and stucco on the walls. On the Transylvanian side of the Carpathians, Count Dracula awaits travelers. It is found everywhere: in the names of streets, restaurants and hotels, in souvenir shops, in ancient castles. One of them is Poienari Castle, towering over the canyon of the Argesh River, in the 15th century it belonged to Prince Vlad II Tepes, who became the prototype of the famous Dracula. The other is Bran Castle a little off the Transfagaras Highway, where Count Dracula has never been, but where he was “settled” by the writer Bram Stoker, thanks to whom the world learned about Dracula. 5. Expanses of Altai. Russia: Chuisky tract
This old road is the first thread that connected Russia and China many centuries ago. Driving along the Chuisky tract is like crossing the whole of Russia. The path begins in Biysk, from birch groves and villages, in one of which the writer Vasily Shukshin was born. And after a hundred kilometers, it is worth passing Gorno-Altaisk, it seems as if you find yourself in the time of the development of Siberia: the stormy waters of the Katun, rocky gorges and green valleys. The mountain taiga begins. If you turn left, you will get to Lake Teletskoye, and to the right, you will reach the foot of Belukha, where Roerich was looking for Shambhala on the way to the Himalayas. And if you drive straight all the time, you will see the Kurai steppe at the foot of the North-Chuysky ridge. If you wish, you can drive a few kilometers and climb on foot to the eternal snows. In the Kurai steppe, there are the last islands of the taiga, and already beyond the pass, the real steppe begins, where nomads' yurts stand and camel caravans roam. Such a trip should not be planned for a week, because each turn is an occasion for a separate small trip. Mentions of the current Chuisky tract, formerly called Mungalsky, can be found in Chinese sources of a thousand years ago. From then until the beginning of the 20th century, it was just a mountain path used by merchants and pilgrims going to the sacred tree in the upper reaches of the Katun River. The wheel road from Ongudai to Kosh-Agach (255 km) was equipped only by 1903. Today, the Chuisky tract is one of the few roads in the world that has been awarded its own museum. It is located in the building of the Biysk Museum of Local Lore - here you can see archival documents and photographs, a three-dimensional layout of the road, paintings and dioramas. 6. Visit the trolls. Norway: Atlantic Road
The Atlantic road (No 64) goes almost along the ocean itself, jumping from island to island with the help of bridges and tunnels. This is a unique technological facility: the route is only 8.5 kilometers long - as many as six bridges! The main one is the Storseisundet Bridge, which is also called the “Bridge to Heaven”. If you approach it from the side of the mainland, it seems as if the canvas of the route breaks off at the highest point and the traveler can only jump straight into the sky. The impression is enhanced if you drive along the Atlantic Road in the fall, when the storm season begins: huge waves roll on small islands, crash with a crash on the bridge supports, and sometimes cover the entire road, trying to lick the cars driving along it. However, the Atlantic Road is only part of the route through the fjords. Moving along it further towards Oslo, you will come to one of the most famous serpentines in Europe - the Troll Stairs (Trollstigen) climbing the slope of the mountain. Harmful trolls often hang their stairs with thick fog, but this makes the serpentine even more beautiful: gray stones and bizarre rocks, densely overgrown with juicy bright green grass and moss, appear through the "milk". At the top of the mountain, visibility sometimes drops to 3-5 meters: the more curious it is to look at sheep suddenly appearing from the fog, black lakes and numerous stone pyramids built by tourists, or maybe by the trolls themselves ... If you drive even further along highway 63 ( and there is almost nowhere to get away from it), you will get to one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway - Geiranger. Here you can admire the numerous waterfalls, fish or just wander around. 7. Stand above the clouds. China: Big Gate Road
The Chinese are famous not only for their diligence and perseverance (which is worth the Great Chinese Wall!), but also love for symbols, signs and numbers. Therefore, even a person who is far from Asian culture will not be able to just drive along the Big Gate Road. The fact is that this road is one of the steepest serpentines in the world in every sense. She climbs Mount Tianmen, which is located 8 kilometers from the city of Zhangjiajie in southeast China. This 11 km long asphalt belt rises to a mark of 1300 meters, making 99 turns along the way! For the Chinese, the number 9 is sacred: it is the number of the emperor, as well as the number of palaces that, according to legend, are waiting for a person in heaven. That is why the road to Tianmen is also called the “Road to Heaven”.

Age/East News In China, traditional boats are still a popular means of transportation.

The main attraction of the route is the cave "Heaven's Gate". It was formed in the III century, when a huge block broke off from the rock. The 131.5 meter high "gate" is often completely shrouded in fog. Locals believe that passing through them, you can really go to heaven. But to earn this right, you have to work hard. There are several ways to get to the cave. The easiest is to drive a car or a tourist bus, the more extreme one is to make a “express climb” in a sports car with a professional racing driver behind the wheel, and the most difficult one is to climb an impressive staircase with 999 steps. If you want a truly breathtaking experience, you should climb to the top on the longest funicular in the world (7455 meters!) - from its windows you can see the entire winding line of the road.

8. Through the pampas. Argentina: Route 40

Route No 40 (Ruta 40) crosses almost all of Argentina from north to south and goes along the high Andean ridges. This is one of the longest roads in the world: 5,000 kilometers is no joke! Especially if they pass through several climatic zones. The landscape around is constantly changing: forests, rocks, lakes, fields, meadows, deserts, almost uninhabited pampas, asphalt and gravel, dust and red sand, sun and knocking wind, 27 mountain passes, 18 major rivers, finally 20 national parks, in each of which you can spend several days. For example, in the Los Glaciares Park, listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site, you can visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, where the third largest fresh water reserve in the world is located. Its area is quite comparable to the area of the whole of Buenos Aires, while the glacier is in constant motion, changing its location by an average of 2 meters every day. You can admire it both from viewing platforms and by going for a walk right on the crumbled ice, accompanied by a climber. The same road leads to the famous "Cave of the Hands" (Cueva de las Manos), where all the walls are covered with prints of human palms and images of hunting scenes, the oldest of which date back to the ninth millennium BC. The second largest national park in Argentina, the Calchaqi Walley, deserves special attention, where you can get from mountain deserts to a subtropical forest in one day - the climate changes dramatically on one relatively small piece of land. And, of course, it is worth driving along Ruta 40 to be impressed by the "Martian" landscapes of the deserts and look at the flamingos living on the lakes of Patagonia. 9. Colorado Plateau. USA: Great Circle
The American Wild West is the territory west of the Rocky Mountains. When the pioneers first began to develop Indian territories, they stumbled upon unique natural attractions that they could not appreciate. Today this area is called the "Great Circle" (Grand Circle). The name came from bus tour, which was called the Grand Circle Tour. The most convenient way to go from Denver is to first climb to the Rocky Mountains National Park, where the Colorado River originates, and follow further through Aspen to the Colorado Plateau. On the way, it is worth seeing the Arches Park (arches.national-park.com) and the famous Monument Valley in the territory of the Navajo Indians. Near the town of Page, you can not miss the inconspicuous Antelope Canyon - on the side of the road there will be a simple wooden billboard with the appropriate inscription. Here it is worth going for a boat trip on Lake Powell, since you can rent a boat. Just south of Page begins the famous Grand Canyon (grandcanyon.com). If you drive along its southern part, then in addition to views of the canyon, you will be able to catch a preserved piece of the first trans-American Route 66 (illinoisroute66.org) from Chicago to Los Angeles. Here it is worth turning again towards the Grand Canyon, living on a real ranch (grandcanyonranch.com). And only then go to the Hoover Dam - giant monument era of the 30s of the last century, from where the direct path to Las Vegas begins. So you will cross the Great Circle from east to west, visiting four states - Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. You can’t see all the beauty of Grand Circle in one trip - after all, the Colorado Plateau has the largest concentration of parks in the United States - so be prepared to return here again. 10. Along the edge of the continent. Australia: Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road, 243 kilometers long, runs along the Pacific coast of Australia. The road has no practical significance - it was built by soldiers who returned from the First World War as a monument to the victims of the battles. After opening in 1932, the road became the largest military memorial in the world, and thirty years later it was recognized as one of the most picturesque on the planet. And for good reason: the track runs almost along the coast itself, from where you can see the endless expanses of water and quiet secluded lagoons. Among the main attractions along the way is the mysterious Shipwreck Coast, which has wrecked 638 ships. And the "Twelve Apostles" - a group of limestone rocks standing separately in the ocean up to 45 meters high. In fact, there are only eight rocks here, and until recently they were called only “Pig and Pigs”. The poetic name "The Twelve Apostles" appeared simply to attract tourists. A similar story has another rock about 20 million years old - "London Arch". For a long time it was called "London Bridge" for its amazing resemblance to the Tower Bridge, and in 1990, when the span closest to the mainland collapsed under the pressure of ocean waves, it turned into an "arch". This is the uniqueness of the Great Ocean Road: the coastline is changing so quickly that tomorrow you can no longer see what was today. It is worth driving here not only to admire the scenery, lie on the beach or conquer the wave. It is also an Australian "safari" route: in Warrnambool you can watch the migration of southern whales, and in the Tower Hill Game Reserve, walk with kangaroos and emus and look at koalas and seabirds.

Not better way get to know the country than personally ride on its roads. Freedom of movement and independence depends only on us, because we have built the route ourselves! Traveling opens up a country with all its pluses and minuses, and this is also a very valuable experience.

We are used to traveling by car in Russia because we have our own car. When are you going abroad? There is nothing difficult. You just need to rent a car from one of the major car rental companies, choosing the option that suits you. We have done this in the USA, in Thailand and in many other countries. And we have rented a motorbike more than once - in Cambodia. Myanmar, Laos and even.

Related articles:

To rent a car, you should know in advance how many days you are going on a trip. So, you need to make a travel itinerary. It is about such routes along the most beautiful roads in the world that I will tell.

I'll start with the most beautiful roads personally tested, which we have already driven ourselves. And then I’ll tell you about those that we hope to conquer in the next trips. And, of course, I will just list the most interesting roads of the world, which are considered very beautiful according to many travelers.

1. Grand Circle in the southwestern United States

One of the most memorable trips in the United States is a trip to the Wild West and the national parks of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and California. Here you can see the most unimaginable geological wonders: stone bridges and huge monuments standing in the middle of the desert, wide, fabulous, unforgettable hikes among hoodoos and the lowest and driest place in the States - the Badwater salt flat in Death Valley.

Utah National Parks + Grand Canyon

Route 1: from Los Angeles (or from Las Vegas) through the national parks and natural attractions of the USA (3500 km / 2 weeks):
- Monument Valley

Route 2: from Las Vegas through the national parks of Utah - The Mighty 5 (1700 km / 5 days)
- Zion
- Bryce Canyon
- Canyolands

Helpful advice: if you include some such as and in your travel itinerary, then your tour of the USA will be even more grandiose.

Read more:

Zion Park - part of the Grand Circle

2. From Los Angeles to San Francisco on Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean (Pacific Coast Highway)

The most beautiful road in California along the Pacific coast, Route 1, Pacific Highway, Pacific Coast Highway - all this is about the dream of any romantic. Ride with the breeze along the ocean, passing by the legendary beaches and small Californian towns. Would you dare? We are yes!

Route: — — — — — — —
Mileage: 1055 km
When to go: in spring (to catch wild flowers blooming), in summer or early autumn.
Trip duration: 3 days
Attractions: , Bixby Bridge and another beautiful road - on the Pacific coast in Monterey.

More about the route:

On the beaches of Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway

3. Driving around Oahu, Hawaii (O'ahu Scenic Drive)

Oahu is the capital island of the state of Hawaii, where most of the tourists arrive. And yet, the island is desperately beautiful and there is something to see. The main thing is not to rest too long on the main beach of Waikiki, but to quickly take a car and go to explore the island. Fly.

Route: from Honolulu to anywhere.
When to go: a good time during the high season (December to March), but it is better to go in the off-season: from mid-April to mid-June and from September to mid-December. I went just at the beginning of June and I confirm: there are not very many people, and the weather is great!
Trip duration: 4-6 days
Beautiful roads: Pali Highway (Hwy 61), Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 83), Kalaniana'ole Highway (Hwy 72)
Attractions:(Diamond Head), Kailua Beach beach park), Kualoa Regional Park, Waimea Bay, old road to Nu’uanu pali cliff.

Old road to Nu'uanu pali cliff on Oahu, Hawaii

4. Mae Hong Son Loop in Thailand (Mae Hong Son Loop)

Thailand has long been a mecca beach holiday. But can you see the real Thailand on the beaches? No. For cultural pleasure, one must go to the north, where authentic life has remained. We lived on it for a long time and therefore I talk about it with special love.

Driving a rented car in Northern Thailand

Route: - Pai - Mae Hong Son - Mae Sariang - Chiang Mai.
Mileage: 600 km
When to go: December - February, during the cool season.
Trip duration: 3 to 5 days
beautiful roads: mountain road 1095 from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son (turn 762), highways 107 and 108.
Attractions: numerous , hot springs of the city , Tam Lod cave in Soppong, tea village , temples in , museum of the Second World War in , Tung Bua Tong sunflower field, the highest waterfall in Thailand , national park

Read more:

Authentic Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai city

Viewpoint along Road 1095 on Mae Hong Son Loop

5. Rocky mountains and lakes in Canada (Canadian Rockies & Lakes)

We have already visited the US Rocky Mountains - we went to the national park and were amazed at the pure beauty of nature in, so now I want to see what is there on the other side of the border. I see Canadian pictures of lakes and mountains all the time. And what beautiful roads there!

So this part of Canada is a must visit, and I'm already prepared. I offer you as many as two options for routes that will pass not only through the mountains, but also along the prairies and picturesque valleys with clear lakes.

Moraine lake in Canada

Route 1 in the Rocky Mountains of Canada in the states of British Columbia and Alberta:

Travel: Calgary - Banff - Lake Louise - Jasper - Edmonton - Elk Island national park– Calgary
Mileage: 1200 km
When to go: summer or early autumn. In autumn, multi-colored colors are added, and the number of tourists in the parks, on the contrary, is declining.
Trip duration: 1 Week
Attractions: Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake.

Route 2 across the badlands, prairies and lakes of Canada from Calgary to Toronto:

Travel: Calgary - Drumheller - Dinosaur Provincial Park - Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump - Moose Jaw - Regina - Saskatoon - Winnipeg - Thunder Bay - Algonquin Park - Sault Ste. Marie-Wawa-Toronto
Mileage: 4500 km
When to go: also in summer or early autumn
Trip duration: 2 - 3 weeks

If you connect both of these routes, you can generally travel around Canada for 3.5 weeks or even a whole month. By the way, the entrance to the national parks of Canada is paid and it is more convenient to buy a subscription in advance (like) on the Parks Canada website.

6. Australian wilderness (Australian Outback)

Seeing the deserts of Australia is my old dream! As soon as I leafed through a magazine and read an article about the wonders of nature, I saw Mount Uluru, I realized that I want to visit Australia primarily for this amazing geological formation, which is located in the heart of southern continent.

The scheme of beautiful roads in Australia: Alice Springs - Kings Canyon - Uluru

Route: Alice Springs - King's Canyon - Uluru - Alice Springs
Mileage: 1200 km
When to go: from March to May (ideally in April) to avoid heat, rain and crowds of tourists.
Trip duration: 5-7 days
Attractions: Uluru, The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) mountains, beautiful sunsets, kangaroos and dingoes

Great Ocean Road in Australia

7. Great Ocean Road

Another reason to come to Australia is the Great Ocean Road across the state of Victoria from the city of Torquay ( Torquay) to Allansford ( allansford) along the edge of the southern continent. This scenic road, built in 1932, is considered national treasure Australia.

Mileage: 243 km.
When to go: Australian summer or autumn (November to March)
Trip duration: 2-3 days
Attractions: Port Campbell National Park and its highlights - the rocks of the Twelve Apostles, Shipwreck Coast, Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto.

8. Dalton Highway in Alaska

Journey beyond the Arctic Circle through wild Alaska, from south to north. We have already traveled to the very north of Russia, to Murmansk region and saw the Arctic Ocean. Now I want to do the same way through Alaska, the largest and most uninhabited US state. In addition, I already managed to visit, and it was very interesting, so I want to resume my adventures in Alaska!

The Dorona Dalton Highway is the road from Fairbanks to Deadhorse, but it's more convenient to fly into Anchorage and drive from there.

Road from Anchorage to Northern Alaska

Route: Anchorage-Fairbanks-Deadhorse
Mileage: 1400 one way
When to go: in summer, and better in August, during the polar nights. By the way, Northern Lights also available from August.
Trip duration: 5 days for the road + time for National parks(from 3 to 6 days).
Attractions: Denali National Park with the most high mountain in the USA, Gateway to the Arctic National Park, sign "Arctic Circle".

Chuisky Tract. Altai, Russia

Here are some more beautiful roads where you can go on your own by car:

Chui tract- the most beautiful road in Russia in Altai. My friend rode it on a bicycle and says that she has never seen a more beautiful expensive one;
Atlantic Road in Norway- the road through the islands through the sea;
Road through the Pampas in Argentina- on road 40 from the very north to the south.

And these are the roads that you can’t drive on your cars yet, but you need to book a tour:

Pamir Highway— from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan
Altiplano of Bolivia- from the largest salt marsh in the world along volcanoes and picturesque lagoons with flamingos.