The Eleven Most Beautiful Panoramic Roads Worldwide

There are roads where thrill and awe due to the fantastic view alternate regularly. We've looked around the world and present you with a selection of the most beautiful panoramic roads.

The question of how far it is to go weakens as people age during vacations. Sure, kids quickly get bored on long car journeys, but eventually, there comes a time when many travelers can enjoy the views. Some roads are so fantastic that you don't want to reach the destination at all.

We present you with eleven breathtaking panoramic roads that can inspire you for your next road trip.

If you want to experience the vast nature of Romania, you should head for the Transalpina panoramic road. It has been operational since 1937 and was expanded during World War II for strategic reasons. Today it is one of the most important tourist roads in the country.

Traveling on the road in the Southern Carpathians, you have views of spectacular mountain panoramas and deep valleys. It's also called the 'King's Road' and connects Transylvania with Wallachia.

Motorcyclists and bicyclists also enjoy traveling on this road, something drivers should be aware of. Well-known places like Bengesti, Ranca, and Sebes lie directly on the Transalpina. It is a total of 93 miles long, and at its highest point, the road is at 7,037 feet. The panoramic road is only drivable between July 1 and September 30.

The Furka Pass in Switzerland connects the cantons of Uri and Valais as well as the towns of Andermatt and Gletsch. The ascent of this panoramic road begins in the Urseren Valley near the village of Realp. In summer, you can even ride the Furka Steam Railway up here. Tight curves wind up to 7,976 feet. Once at the top, you get a fantastic view of the Gotthard Massif and the Urseren Valley.

Along the way, you'll pass a very popular photo opportunity, the Hotel Belvédère, which is located right in a hairpin turn. From here, it's another two miles to the pass summit. Nearby, there is a glacier grotto with an ice chamber that is carved anew into the glacier every year. An extended break with an excursion is worthwhile on this panoramic road. The pass is around 10 miles long.

In Canada, the Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the country, spanning 145 miles. It is a segment of Alberta Highway 93 between Lake Louise and Jasper. The route takes you past fantastic views, including Herbert Lake and Mount Chephren. The Columbia Icefields and Athabasca Falls are also along the panoramic road.

Along the way, it will be hard to resist the urge to simply stop on the road, as one postcard motif follows the next. You should definitely plan a stop at Lake Louise, known for its turquoise color and spectacular mountain panorama. A stop at the Columbia Icefields is also worthwhile, where you can enjoy the view from the Glacier Skywalk.

In Norway, it's hard to choose a panoramic road because there are fantastic views nearly everywhere. However, it is particularly beautiful on the Atlantic Road, where you drive over numerous bridges, skerries, and islets. The road sections are spectacular, some might seem a bit insecure, but they are firmly anchored to the rock. The Atlantic Road is one of Norway's National Tourist Routes and connects Bud in the west with Kristiansund in the east.

There are a total of eight bridges that lead you over sometimes rough and sometimes mirror-smooth seas, which is why it is also referred to as the 'Road of the Sea.' Construction of the Atlantic Road began in 1983, and it took a full six years to complete. Besides the great views, it is also an important transport route for the coastal population.

And what about the panoramic roads at the other end of the world? Breathtaking! For example, in New Zealand on the Milford Road. The road leads through spectacular mountain panoramas, the cliffs are still densely overgrown below, and there is already snow on the peaks. The route runs from Te Anau to Milford Sound in the heart of Fiordland National Park.

The route is about 158 miles long, and at least four hours are required, depending on how many photo stops you make. The first highlight of the route is the Eglinton Valley with its flat valley and steep rising rock faces. You also pass the Mirror Lakes, which live up to their name on windless days. If you want to stretch your legs, it's worth circling Lake Gunn, which takes just about 45 minutes.

Tight curves take you up the panoramic Stelvio Pass road. At 9,048 feet, it is the highest paved mountain pass in Italy and is considered, with 48 hairpin turns on the South Tyrolean side, one of the world's curviest roads. If you can handle it, you can enjoy a fantastic view over the Alps here. Cyclists also like to struggle up the pass road to be rewarded with great mountain panoramas at the top.

The 'Queen of the Alpine Roads,' as the panoramic road is also called, is a total of 30 miles long and was built in just five years starting in 1820-a record time for that era. With it, the crossing from South Tyrol to Lombardy became passable. When driving along the Stelvio Pass, you can see the Ortler massif to the south, towering at 12,809 feet.

The Garden Route is an ideal panoramic road for a road trip along the coast of South Africa. It runs for 127 miles along National Road N2 and connects Tsitsikamma National Park with Mossel Bay. You should plan plenty of time as there are numerous national parks and cities to discover along the way.

A highlight of the panoramic road is Wilderness Beach, with an endlessly stretching sand beach and mighty rushing waves. In the lagoon city of Knysna, you can try fresh oysters, and then continue towards Bloukrans Bridge. If you are brave, you can experience the world's highest bungee jump from a height of 708 feet.

On Hawaii, it's also hard to choose a spectacular panoramic route. The landscape here is breathtakingly beautiful from almost every angle. If you want to experience Maui at its best, you should take the Hana Highway. It takes you on a 64-mile journey through Hawaii's natural beauty.

It runs along the north coast to the small town of Hana, which gave the highway its name. Along the way, you drive through dense rainforests, over bridges, always having the Pacific Ocean in view when you're not distracted by the dreamy and exotic plants.

You don't need an interminably long journey to explore the world's most beautiful panoramic roads, as seen in Europe, including in Spain, more specifically in Andalusia. The Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos begins in Acros de la Frontera and runs through the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga. It's also called the 'Road of the White Villages.' Why? Because you'll encounter numerous settlements with many white houses along the route.

The road ends in Setenil de las Bodegas. The panoramic road is a total of 81 miles long and is nestled between beautiful olive groves and green hills. Here, the less touristy side of Andalusia shows its most beautiful side.

In China, you're in for an equally spectacular and dangerous road: the Tianmen Mountain Road. It is located in the Chinese province of Hunan and has 99 sharp curves that need to be tackled. Once you make it to the top, you can enjoy the spectacular view and visit the Tianmen Cave. The stretch is nearly seven miles long.

On-site, there is also the longest cable car in the world with 98 cabins and a length of over four miles. If the road isn't thrilling enough for you, you can opt for the cable car. At the top of the mountain awaits a natural rock arch.

For the Moki Dugway, you need a vehicle that can handle dirt roads and won't easily slip. There's nothing secured here, and driving is at your own risk. The road is part of Utah State Route 261 in the southeastern U.S. state and overcomes a cliff roughly 1,100 feet high. As you drive towards the cliff, you'll initially wonder where a road could possibly be, as it looks anything but passable.

But it's possible, and the dirt road is quite wide. The name Moki is derived from the Spanish word Moqui. Spanish explorers used this term to refer to the region's native Pueblo Indians and the Anasazi. Dugway is simply an American term for a road built through mountainous terrain for heavy transport. Along the way, you can stop and enjoy the view of Utah's vastness.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.