Top Scenic Routes in the World That Will Blow Your Mind (and Your Hair)
Picture this: you're driving along a winding road, your windows are down, your favorite playlist is on, and the scenery around you is so breathtaking it makes you question if you've accidentally entered a postcard. Suddenly, a wild goat appears out of nowhere, gives you a judging look, and casually trots across the road like it owns the place. Yep, welcome to the world of scenic drives—where nature’s drama meets man’s obsession with asphalt. If that little adventure already has you smiling, buckle up. We're going on a journey through some of the most stunning, hairpin-turn-filled routes on the planet. Bring snacks.
1. Pacific Coast Highway, California, USA
Ah, California—land of palm trees, celebrity sightings, and the Pacific Coast Highway. Officially known as Highway 1, this iconic stretch of road hugs the rugged California coastline like it’s holding on for dear life. And we love it for that.
- Length: About 655 miles of ocean-kissing beauty
- Highlights: Big Sur cliffs, Bixby Creek Bridge, Monterey, and those moody Pacific sunsets
- Vibe: Convertible required. Bonus points for vintage shades and a golden retriever riding shotgun.
This route is basically a movie—scenes shift from lush forests to coastal bluffs to sleepy surf towns. Warning: excessive stopping for Instagram photos may occur.
2. Amalfi Coast Road, Italy
Let’s talk about driving with drama. The Amalfi Coast Road, or SS163 if you want to impress your GPS, is not for the faint of heart. It’s narrow, cliffside, and often shared with confident Italian drivers who believe in honking more than braking. But oh, the views.
- Length: Around 37 miles of Mediterranean magnificence
- Highlights: Positano, Ravello, lemon groves, villas dangling over cliffs
- Vibe: Windows down, scarf flying, Sophia Loren fantasy mode activated
If your heart can take it, this drive is pure romance with a side of adrenaline. Don’t forget to stop for limoncello. Or, you know, for breathing.
3. The Great Ocean Road, Australia
Imagine a road so stunning it literally made the list of National Heritage Sites. That’s The Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. Koalas in trees, surfers riding waves, and rock formations that look like ancient gods carved them during their lunch break—yeah, it’s that kind of place.
- Length: About 151 miles of coastal perfection
- Highlights: The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, rainforest walks, shipwrecks (not yours, don’t worry)
- Vibe: Chill Aussie energy meets geologic grandeur
It’s the kind of drive where every twist feels like a gift from Mother Nature—like she’s trying to make up for spiders the size of dinner plates.
4. Trollstigen, Norway
If the name "Trollstigen" doesn't already sound like a fantasy novel side quest, the road itself sure feels like one. Nestled in Norway’s majestic mountains, this serpentine masterpiece looks like someone challenged the gods to draw a road with a noodle.
- Length: About 34 miles of fjord-filled magic
- Highlights: Hairpin turns, cascading waterfalls, misty mountain views
- Vibe: Nordic epic with a touch of “Is that a cloud or am I ascending?”
Only open during warmer months (because snow + vertical roads = no), Trollstigen offers a surreal, almost spiritual driving experience. Bring your camera, and maybe a Viking horn for effect.
5. Garden Route, South Africa
What do you get when you combine beaches, mountains, forests, and wine estates? No, not heaven—though close. It’s South Africa’s Garden Route, and yes, it smells as good as it sounds.
- Length: About 190 miles of everything-you-ever-wanted-in-life
- Highlights: Knysna Lagoon, Tsitsikamma National Park, ostriches (so many ostriches)
- Vibe: Earthy elegance with a dash of safari spirit
This route is basically a highlight reel of South Africa’s natural beauty, and it's perfect for road-trippers who like a side of zip-lining or bungee-jumping with their scenic drives.
6. Route 40, Argentina
Brace yourself. Route 40 is one of the longest roads in the world, stretching across the entire length of Argentina and offering everything from high-altitude deserts to glacial lakes. It’s the kind of road trip where you bring a notebook and leave with a novel.
- Length: Over 3,000 miles of South American splendor
- Highlights: Patagonia, the Andes, wine regions, llamas (majestic and judgmental)
- Vibe: Adventure writer meets wild wanderer
Remote? Yes. Rugged? Totally. Worth it? Absolutely. Just be sure to fuel up—both your tank and your snack stash.
7. Ring Road, Iceland
How often do you drive a full circle around an island and see waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, and maybe an elf or two? Iceland’s Ring Road is the ultimate loop of wonder.
- Length: About 828 miles of icy enchantment
- Highlights: Skógafoss, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, black sand beaches, geothermal hot pots
- Vibe: Post-apocalyptic beauty meets Icelandic magic
Yes, the weather can be dramatic, but isn’t that what makes it thrilling? This is one road where you’ll never be bored—or dry for long.
Final Thoughts: The Road Less Traveled Is Overrated—Take the Scenic One Instead
So, whether you’re a mountain masochist, a coastline cruiser, or someone who simply likes the idea of a road trip playlist longer than the drive itself, the world is full of scenic routes that are as wild and wonderful as the stories they’ll inspire. Just remember: it's not about the destination, it’s about how many jaw-drops and gasps you can rack up along the way. Also, maybe pack a portable charger and a good snack stash. The goat might come back.
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