There are many ways for each person to seek their own freedom, and a road trip is never a bad idea for adventurous feet. A car, a map and an endless inspiration for the world are the luggage to experience the open roads. Through forests, across rivers, across deserts, ... all are on the "famous" road trip routes of the world.
The Atlantic Road (Norway)
·Length: 8.3 km
· Start: Utheim, Averoy - End: Vevangstraumen, Eide
The Atlantic Road, also known as the Atlantic Ocean Road, connects the mainland with small islands, reefs via eight curved viaducts and winding coastal roads. It is this unique terrain that creates the breathtaking beauty of the road that makes anyone's heart stop before the steep slopes like the road to the sky or the white waves crashing against the car.
The uniqueness of this road lies in the 8 viaducts with different curves with a maximum gradient of less than 8% and four steps to stop and admire the beautiful natural scenery of Northern Europe. The cool green lawns, peaceful villages, small wild islands, clear blue sea water will be in full view of visitors when experiencing this road.
Built from 1983 and completed in 1989, The Atlantic Road is still considered one of the world's iconic roads of majestic natural beauty. The Norwegian government considers this route a Cultural Heritage and is classified as a National Tourist Route. In 2005, the road was voted "Norway's Construction of the Century".
Route 66 (United States)
·Length: 3,940 km
· Start: Chicago, Illinois - End: Los Angeles, California
Route 66 was one of America's first highways, connecting the Eastern and Western United States. Route 66 was partially built in 1857 for military needs, put into widespread use in 1926, and fully paved in 1938.
As the United States developed in the early 20th century, Route 66 met the growing demand for travel and became one of the symbols of American freedom of movement. The route was also featured in the classic song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66,” first performed by Nat King Cole in 1946.
Route 66 stretches through eight states and many famous cities such as: Chicago, Tusla, Amarillo, Las Vegas, Los Angeles... The route passes through typical American desert landscapes with interesting things worth enjoying: alien-style motels, auto repair shops, ghost towns, rest stops for long-distance truckers and many natural wonders...
Today, although replaced by a modern freeway system, every year millions of people from all over the world still flock to travel on this historic road.
Icefields Parkway (Canada)
·Length: 232 km
· Start: Banff - End: Jasper
The Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93, is located in northern Canada. Built in the 1930s and completed in 1940, the parkway is named after Canada's famous icy region: the Columbia Icefields.
Located primarily in an area with almost year-round icy weather, the Icefields Parkway passes through the famous landscapes of Alberta, paralleling the fjord that divides the North American continent, and passing through the majestic mountain landscapes of two famous national parks, Jasper and Banff.
The Icefields Parkway is Canada's most popular tourist road, averaging over 100,000 vehicles passing through in July and August each year. Visitors can enjoy the stunning natural scenery with countless stops from hiking trails, lakes to giant waterfalls and permanent glaciers.
May is the time when the Icefields Parkway becomes the icyest with big snowstorms and temperatures always below zero degrees Celsius. To travel on the Icefields Parkway, visitors will need to apply for a pass from the management board with a speed limit of 90 km/h.
Garden Route (South Africa)
·Length: 366 km
· Start: Port Elizabeth - End: Mossel Bay
South Africa is known as a country with diverse natural landscapes, from plains to high mountains, from vast plateaus to sparkling blue beaches in the sun.
The Garden Route is a highway that winds through indigenous forests, along rocky bays and white sandy beaches. The coastal road is always poetic with countless wildflower fields, pretty small towns and ancient houses along the road. While traveling on this road, visitors will conquer sharp, dangerous curves and stand at observation points from spectacular cliffs to admire the South African landscape.
The South African tourism industry exploits the Garden Route extremely effectively with a dense network of destinations on both sides of the road, including wine valleys, the world ostrich center, national parks, safaris... and especially adventure sports such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, speedboat rides, skydiving, paragliding...
Leh - Manali Route (India)
·Length: 479 km
· Start: Leh, Ladakh - End: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
The Leh-Manali route in northern India averages over 4,000 m above sea level, with the highest point being the Tanglang La pass (5,328 m). The route is passable only during the four summer months – when the snow melts from June until before the snowfall – and is completely impassable due to slippery ice and avalanches in October.
Leh-Manali winds its way through the majestic mountains, cliffs and lush green forests of the Himalayas. But the vastness of the landscape disappears completely, giving way to a stark brown landscape and snow-capped peaks glowing in the sun as you enter the Chandra River valley in the Lahaul region.
Despite the scenic beauty and majestic scenery, Leh-Manali is a challenging and dangerous road due to its rugged terrain and steep cliffs. With rocky mountains on one side and deep abysses on the other, the mountain road is narrow and prone to landslides. Therefore, only experienced drivers are brave enough to tackle Leh-Manali and make it through safely.
