“The important thing is not the destination but the journey itself! ". What if, as Robert Louis Stevenson said, landing on a plane somewhere lost the infinite beauty of the landscapes traveled? To make you want to get behind the wheel, switch on the car radio and soak up some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet, the Petit Futé has selected the 10 most beautiful roads in the world to do at least one times before returning his license! Be careful, some are dizzying and require concentration at the highest level, but the effort is worth the effort!

Route 66 (United States)

 

Here is the one that few have never heard of. “The Mother Road” is a true myth and links Chicago to Los Angeles for nearly 4,000 km, crossing three time zones and eight states. Route 66 is an opportunity to see some of the great American sites and monuments, to stop at dinners to recharge the batteries around a burger and fries and to spend a few nights in motels. And then, at the end of the route, there is Arizona and the famous national parks, before joining California and the Santa Monica Pier to simply strand on a beach and contemplate the immensity of the Pacific Ocean.

The Atlantic Road (Norway)

 

8.3 km long, this marvel that connects the towns of Molde and Kristiansund (in the western fjords) was built on several islets and reefs and has 8 bridges and several viaducts. This scenery gives the impression of riding on water ... This resolutely picturesque road also offers the opportunity to discover coastal life, and you should not hesitate to stop to rent fishing equipment, to call on local fishermen to go for a sea trip or even spend the night in one of the accommodations for the pleasure of waking up in the middle of an exceptional natural setting. Note that it is also possible to go diving and see some of the wrecks that lie at the bottom of the sea.

The Karakorum Road (Pakistan)

 

This international road, which sits at an altitude of 4,693 m on the border between China and Pakistan, is the highest paved road in the world. We understand why it is unofficially nicknamed the “eighth wonder of the world”. Linking Kashgar in China to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, the crossing reveals immense glaciers and a large number of vertiginous peaks that one cannot tire of photographing. In any case, it is advisable to be careful once you arrive in the middle of the mountain and if you want to listen to music while driving, remember to take a CD, the radio does not work well!

Highway 1 (California)

 

The Pacific Coast Highway or California Dream Highway is the American dream from start to finish. Running along the Pacific coast from northern California, this road stretches for 882 kilometers. It offers magnificent panoramas and passes through star cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Along the way, dozens of spots offer simply incredible views of the cliffs and ocean, and how can we not mention the must-see Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach? We also come across many animals, including sea lions and a multitude of birds. The brightness which changes over the hours of the day adds a certain charm to this fascinating route.

The Sani Pass (South Africa)

 

Beautiful but dangerous, this winding road stretches 9 km in length at the western end of KwaZulu-Natal province, crossing the border with neighboring Lesotho. The route is done aboard a good 4x4, at an altitude of nearly 2,800 m but be careful not to squeeze too close to impressive precipices ... Here, the road is sometimes largely dusty and offers an experience worthy of best nature adventure movies. But the sheer cliffs of the Drakensberg and the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho are incredibly beautiful and offer the most beautiful vistas in South Africa.

The Tianmen Road (China)

 

99 bends, some of which are 180 °, all over 11 km, vertigo is guaranteed and it is recommended to have a good grip to be able to travel this road serenely! Also called the Road to Heaven, it crosses two bridges and reveals breathtaking panoramas of the 9 surrounding mountains, steep cliffs and ancient trees. To travel the Tianmen Road is to leave for forty minutes of thrills and offer yourself an unforgettable experience. In addition, a great reward at the top of the mountain, in the north of the Chinese province of Hunan with the Tianmen caves, a natural hole at an altitude of 1,200 m.


The Dades gorges (Morocco)

 

East of Marrakech in the High Atlas, these mountain loops which follow the gorges to Agoudal, at the head of Todra, are very popular with tourists ... Desert then mineral road, an unexpected encounter with the shepherds will make you goat! The Dades River has carved breathtakingly beautiful gorges and there is no better way to discover them than to venture there by car, motorbike or in a motorhome. The panoramas offered on the ravine of Tissandrine and the steep cliffs of the High Atlas are as many reasons to go there, as to stop in the villages where the dwellings merge with the orange rock and the Oued.

The “Great Ocean Road” (Australia)

 

Running along Australia’s southeast coast between the world famous surf towns of Torquay and Allansford, the road is a national heritage site. While in the country, it is a must-see for anyone who enjoys driving and enjoying breathtaking landscapes, between rugged cliffs, deserted beaches and other tropical forests. The Great Ocean Road is nature in all its diversity and the opportunity to indulge in multiple activities: hiking to admire the flora and fauna, moments around gastronomy in fishing villages and wineries, and moments of contemplation of the sea punctuated by swimming and surfing for fans.

Route 40 (Argentina)

 

One of the longest roads in the world with its 5,500 km: parallel to the Andes Cordillera, it crosses 20 national parks, 18 rivers and at least as many magnificent landscapes. We cross deserted and wild expanses, multicolored mountains in the extraordinary Quebrada de Humahuaca, a salt desert, vineyards, countries where cacti flirt from afar with mountains, lakes, forests then the glaciers and estancias of Southern Patagonia. Route 40 is a festival of landscapes and it takes about a month to travel it with confidence.

The Bay of Cap (Mauritius)

 

When traveling to Mauritius, do not hesitate to rent a car to travel its most beautiful tourist routes. In the south of the island, between Flic-en-Flac and Bel Ombre, the Baie du Cap is a comfortable and secure road that offers the opportunity to take a look to the right, to the left, at the sea and the elements that make up the coast. Not to be missed, a stop in the inverted U-shaped bend in Macondé. This is where we find an essential point of view accessible via a staircase. It offers a sublime panorama of the bluish reflections of the ocean and the mountainous reliefs, the camera is then required. Ready for a little ride?