How best to really digest the map of a country than taking a wonderful road trip. Feed your eyes as well as your stomachs with scenic views, mountain passes, bridges, highways, national parks, and make the mouth-watering food stops. View the entire city and visit exotic places, buildings and 5-star hotels as you travel through. This article compiles 20 great alpine roads that you should take to get the most out of your road trip experience.

California, U.S.A. – Highway 1 (Big Sur)

The Highway 1 is the Californian major ‘State Route 1’ or ‘SR 1’. It is more popularly regarded as an ‘All-American Road’ because it’s built along what is regarded as the most beautiful coastlines in the entire U.S.A. Its alpine roads run north-south of California, U.S.A., along the major and most beautiful parts of the State’s Pacific coastline. It leads and reveals the beautiful Big Sur region.

Japan – Irohazaka Winding Roads

This beautiful twin Irohazaka Winding alpine roads were built sometime between the 50’s and 60’s. These roads can be accessed somewhere near Nikko liking directly to Tokyo, Japan. Be mindful as you drive though, it’s a fun rollercoaster that’ll have you drawing about 48 of the letters – S and C – as you drive.

Switzerland – Furka Pass

You’ll recognize the great Furka Pass alpine roads from the movies, particularly the James Bond film ‘Goldfinger’. Located in the Swiss Alps, this high mountain Furka Pass sits across beautiful mountain views to behold in Switzerland and connects the major cities; Realp of Uri, and Gletsch of Valais.

France – Col de la Bonette

Located in the French Alps, close to the Italy border, is the mountain pass alpine roads known as Col de la Bonette. This beautiful pass is the highest paved road in France and has been featured in the famous ‘Tour de France’ bike race. More so, it has quickly become a very popular route plied by cyclists in France.

Norway – The Atlantic Road

To be honored in 2005, as ‘Norway’s Construction of the Century’ speaks volume on peculiarity of this Norwegian alpine roads. Since 1989, the Atlantic Road of Norway has been a National Tourist Route. The Atlantic road cuts across several causeways, viaducts and eight bridges, which connects all the several beautiful small islands and skerries lurking around. Additionally, this alpine route connects two great populated towns located in the ‘More og Romsdal’ county of Fjord, Norway.

Japan – Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge

Ever seen alpine roads that take you from one side of a mountain to another? Well, somewhere in Southern Japan sits the Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge, which was built for that experience. More exciting is that, this transportation occurs in a swift double spiral motion, traveling at a maximum speed that gets you to your destination in no time at all.

Utah – White Rim Road (Canyonlands National Park)

This fairly challenging alpine roads measured at 100 miles provides a beautiful experience. However, it comes with a lot of rules, and limitations. These rules include; no pets, no ATV’s, no non-street legal dirt bikes, and vehicles of all sorts including bikes must remain on the roads at all times. It’s also a difficult road to ply so do well to check vehicle specifications as well as other cautionary information. The good news though, is that the White Rim Road is built such that it reveals beautiful wide views of all surrounding areas.

Switzerland – Flüela Pass

Another one of Switzerland’s alpine roads is the Fluela pass located at Graubünden, Switzerland. This road gives you the experience of breathtaking scenery in the Swiss Alps. However, this road can’t be plied in certain weather conditions, but thankfully, it is wide open for a stunning road trip experience in the summer.

Hunan, China – Tianmen Mountain Road

At the Hunan province in China sits the beautiful city – Zhangjiajie where one of the most beautiful mountain forest parks reside, particularly the Tianmen Mountain National Park. Within this park is the formidable layered mind-blowing Tianmen Mountain. This road cuts through the Tianmen cave and there’s even a cable car which you can access to reach the top of the mountain. The layered alpine roads also feature 99 bends that reaches the top of the mountain.

Japan – Mount Aso

Somewhere on the island of Kyushi, southern Japan, lies Mount Aso. I don’t think I’m comfortable plying this road but if taking dangerous risks is your forte then by all means go right ahead. The Mount Aso holds alpine roads that sit at the very edge of a live and active volcano. Be careful though, it cannot be plied any time you please – only when conditions are favorable.

Florida U.S.A. – Seven Mile Bridge

Famously known as the Overseas Highway, is the beautiful alpine roads of Florida Keys, Monroe County, Florida, U.S.A., called Seven Mile Bridge. This beautiful bridge connects Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key. The seven mile bridge is regarded as one of the longest bridges in existence.

Japan – Norikura Skyline Road

The Norikura Skyline Road is one of the great alpine roads in Japan. This road present an excellent view of surrounding mountains and it’s a great place to experience snow at any time of the year. More so, being the highest public road in Japan, it leaves trails that make it a great location for a hiking activity.

Cape Town, South Africa – Chapman’s Peak Drive

On the Atlantic Coast of Cape Town, South Africa lies the Chapman’s Peak Drive. The great alpine roads connect Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Amazingly, it has about 114 curves, along a rocky coastline of Chapman’s Peak. Locals commonly refer to this beautiful drive as “Chappies” and asides from breathtaking views it offers, you can also make a few refreshing stops for food, fun and sightseeing.

Austria – Grossglockner

The alpine roads of Austria – Grossglockner is located at the eastern Austrian Alps. This road is by far Austria’s highest road. And just like Japan’s Irohazaka Winding Roads, you’ll catch yourself on the country’s largest drawing board, making out many serpentine curves of the letter S and C with your drive.

Italy – Stelvio Pass

As the second highest of alpine roads located in the eastern alps of Italy, the Stelvio Pass measures at 2757 m (9045 feet). It was even once recognized by the British automotive show Top Gear as the “greatest driving road in the world”.

Japan – Bandai Azuma Roadway

More from the beautiful alpine roads of Japan is the Bandai Azuma Roadway, located in Honshu, which is sometimes referred to as the Bandai Azuma Skyline. It is called so because it’s believed to be “the road that runs across the sky”. This route reveals a scenic experience of mountains, a volcanic crater as well as surrounding cities (i.e. the Fukishima City) and towns where you can make refreshing stops.

France – Col de Turini

Among the alpine roads in the department of Alpes-Maritimes in France is the Col de Turini, a high mountain pass near Sospel. The curvy roads connects the communes of Moulinet and La Bollène-Vésubie in the Arrondissement of Nice. In spite of its tightness and deep curvy turns, it is used as a stage for the Monte Carlo Rally which has made it a very popular alpine road.

Black Forest, Germany – Hochstrasse

Officially known as the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse or the Black Forest High Road, is a splendid combination of German alpine roads. This beautiful road skirts mountains and a thick green forest and is one of the highest roads you can find.

China – Guoliang Tunnel Road

China presents some of the most daring alpine roads. Here we see that the Guoliang Tunnel is a road carved along the side of and through a mountain. If you’re looking to experience a trip on this road, visit the Henan Province of China, particularly – the Taihang Mountains.

Japan – Hakone Hill Climb

Let’s close with more alpine roads from beautiful Japan. The Hakone Hill Climb is quite daring that it’s often closed (like once a year) to regular motorists, allowing car racers and motorsport enthusiasts to enjoy an uninterrupted ecstatic experience. Well, I guess that’s why this road is very popular among these classes of drivers.

Sources

Trip On Mag – 21 Wonderful Alpine Roads
Twistedsifter – 21 Roads You Have to Drive in Your Lifetime