10 Scenic Road Trips

A road trip classic: the VW Campervan. Photo credit: TravelingGreener.com.

Isabelle Guarella wrote this guest post about 10 of the world’s most scenic road trips. She is a blogger at PassSmart.com.

There are beautiful routes all over the world for every road tripper to enjoy.

While for some it’s the thrill of hurtling down a mountainside which attracts them to these incredible driving destinations, for others it’s simply the awesome views.

This list of global destinations will help you find your dream drive, and get you planning your next road trip:

Lines of a road trip. Photo credit: TravelingGreener.com.

Icefields Parkway – Canada

Situated among the snow-sprinkled Canadian Rockies, this is one drive that you simply cannot miss. Lined with lush green vegetation and home to a variety of wildlife, this Alberta road attracts thousands of visitors every year. You’ll travel through the Banff and Jasper National Parks, enjoying the crystal, sparkling waters along the way.

The Great Ocean Road – Australia

Stretching along the Australian coast, The Great Ocean Road in Victoria connects Geelong and Portland. Lined with golden sandy beaches and awesome rock formations, such as the Twelve Apostles, this route is home to the surfers’ paradise, Bells Beach.

The Flower Route – Netherlands

Famed for its beautiful blooms, Holland’s colorful Flower Route is at its best during April and May. You’ll start in the Dutch city of Haarlem and cruise 40 km south to Leiden, getting the very best view of the crocuses, daffodils, narcissi, hyacinths, irises, tulips and much more.

Blue Ridge Parkway – USA

Winding through Virginia and North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is regarded as one of America’s most scenic drives. Surrounded by the rocky climes of the Appalachian Mountains, the road was originally built to connect two National Parks, and, in the process, has become a national treasure itself.

Munnar Road – India

Cutting through the dense, deep green tea plantations, this route is a challenging but rewarding drive. Surrounded by the sumptuous scents of tea and spices, you may even see the tea leaves being handpicked by the locals.

The Cabot Trail – Canada

This scenic drive of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia is the ideal location for a relaxing coastal drive. With the Cape Breton Highlands National Park on the way, there is no shortage of stunning sights.

Col de Turini – France

Beautiful from afar and brutal up close, the Col de Turini may sit serenely, nestled in the Alps, but driving through this mountain pass takes a lot of nerve. Narrow stretches and sharp bends make up the route, giving the driver one of the toughest driving lessons of their life.

Seward Highway – Alaska

Almost completely untouched by civilization, the Seward Highway is a spot of natural beauty in all seasons. Home to waterfalls, glaciers and snow covered mountains, this truly is a magical place.

The Atlantic Highway – England

Situated in the south west, The Atlantic Highway runs from Devon to Cornwall and showcases the very best of rural England. Although I can’t promise sunshine, you will certainly discover rolling hills and isolated farmhouses.

Alsace Wine Route – France

This route has just about everything you could ever wish for in a road trip. With hills stretching as far as the eye can see, and an endless supply of delicious wine, this is the perfect place to go to unwind.