10 of the most scenic roads in the world
Roads are the impeccable foundation of civilisation but aside from their utility in connecting places, some roads are meant to be explored just for the sake of it.
Prepped by fullsuitcase.com, here is the list of 10 most scenic routes across the world -
1. Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa
Chapman's Peak Drive is a short but extremely picturesque route along the coast between Cape Town city and the South Cape Peninsula. This is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. The best time to drive this toll road is at sunset and it's best to go in the direction towards Cape Town city.
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2. Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone, USA
The best way to explore Yellowstone National Park is by driving the Grand Loop Road that connects all the main areas of the park. The Yellowstone Loop is well-deserving of its place on any list of the best roads in the USA. The scenic drive through the park touches Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley, and the road leading from the Lamar Valley to the east entrance of the park. The scenery here is breathtaking and herds of wild bison and other wildlife next and on the road, make this drive an unforgettable experience.
3. The Icefields Parkway, Canada
The Icefields Parkway is probably the most scenic road in Canada. Stretching from Jasper National Park to Lake Louise in Banff NP, the road is surrounded by more than a hundred glaciers, waterfalls, and the most beautiful landscapes, as far as an eye can see.
4. Arches National Park Scenic Drive, USA
The scenic loop of Arches National Park in Utah is all about twisting and turning among the huge rocks rising in the otherwise rather flat landscape, most phenomenal views are found here behind every single turn.
5. Trollstigen, Norway
The serpentine scenic road Trollstigen (Troll Ladder) in Norway is the one that will take your breath away being one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway. The scenic lookout point should not be missed from which the whole road can be seen. Seeing the hairpin bends from above is probably even more impressive than driving them.
6. The Great Ocean Road, Australia
The Great Ocean Road is a 243 km (150 miles) scenic road along the south-eastern coast of Australia. Best known for the famous rock formations called 'Twelve Apostles', the road has a number of other incredibly scenic viewpoints that are worth a stop just as much. If you are really short on time, you can visit the Great Ocean Road as a day trip from Melbourne as well.
7. Flores Island in the Azores, Portugal
With just a few roads, one more beautiful than the other, Flores Island in the Azores, Portugal, is simply stunning. It is pristine and remote – a true hidden gem of the Atlantic. The island is so small that all of its roads can be explored in just a day. However, despite its size, the landscapes are jaw-dropping.
8. Calanques de Piana in Corsica, France
Calanques de Piana in Corsica (France) can easily be discovered by boat. However, the scenic drive along the road D81 from Piana to Porto does more justice to this incredibly picturesque coastline of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gulf of Porto. The roads are really narrow and driving here is not for the faint-hearted.
9. The Garden Route, South Africa
The Garden Route is a 300 km coastal road stretching from Storms River in the Eastern Cape to the Mossel Bay in the Western Cape in South Africa. Some of the most amazing stops along the Garden Route are Storms River and Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness, Oudtshoorn, and Knysna.
10. Highway 80 to Mount Cook, New Zealand
Mount Cook road, surrounded by the sea of blooming lupine flowers, azure blue water of Lake Pukaki, and spectacular mountain landscapes is one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
