Top 10 most beautiful roads in the world. The most beautiful roads in the world - the best routes for traveling by car. Dalton Highway, USA

Simply driving along any of the roads on this list is enough to have an amazing vacation! After all, along the way you can see most beautiful places our planet and feel the spirit of life on wheels. You will never be able to forget these places.

1. On the edge of the abyss. France: Verdon Gorge

Grand Canyon, but not in the USA? Rocky gorge, but not in the desert? Whatever the Verdon Gorge is called, the fact remains that today it is the largest canyon in all of Europe: its length is 25 kilometers and its depth reaches 700 meters! Although the Verdon Gorge is inferior in scale to the Arizona canyon, it clearly surpasses it in beauty: in spring and summer, trees and shrubs cover the slopes with a thick layer, grazing only in front of the steepest cliffs. It will take a whole day to go around the gorge, although there are only a hundred kilometers. But they all consist entirely of bends, descents and ascents, man-made tunnels and passages under rocks hanging overhead and hiding the sky.

2. High in the mountains. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan: Pamir Highway

Travelers are always attracted to places marked “the very best”: the most northern point Europe, the westernmost point of Russia, the most high mountain, the deepest depression. The Pamir Highway is one of these places. After all, the highest Mountain road on the territory of the former USSR.

3. From north to south. USA: Dalton Highway

This is Alaska, gentlemen! A harsh and at first glance unfriendly region, which will give only to a prepared and responsible traveler unforgettable experience and will reveal his riches.

Alaska really has something to share: the most large staff The USA is still almost unspoilt by civilization; there are 23 (!) national parks and reserves on its territory. Through some of them: "White Mountains", national reserve wild Arctic nature, nature reserves on the banks of the Yukon River, the Gates of the Arctic Nature Reserve - this is exactly what the Dalton Highway passes through, sometimes getting lost in a flat snow-covered or grass-covered plain, sometimes winding between wooded mountains encircling on all sides.

4. To the homeland of Dracula. Romania: Transfagarasan Highway

Transfagaras is one of the rare examples of how an object created for military purposes becomes famous throughout the world and attracts many tourists to the country. The 261-kilometer-long highway passes through picturesque valleys and fields of wheat, which Romanians sometimes still reap by hand, past lakes and reservoirs, through cute Romanian villages with identical dark stone houses. Not far from the beginning of the highway there is nice town Sibiu has classic Romanian architecture, where, as in the Romanian language, Latin, Romanesque and Slavic heritage is mixed.

5. The expanses of Altai. Russia: Chuysky tract

This ancient road is the first line that connected Russia and China many centuries ago. Driving along the Chuysky tract is like crossing the whole of Russia. The path begins in Biysk, with birch groves and villages, in one of which the writer Vasily Shukshin was born. And after a hundred kilometers, once you pass Gorno-Altaisk, it seems as if you are in the times of the development of Siberia: the stormy waters of the Katun, rocky gorges and green valleys. The mountain taiga begins.

Turn left and you will get to Lake Teletskoye, right - to the foot of Belukha, where Roerich looked for Shambhala on his way to the Himalayas. And if you drive straight all the time, you will see the Kurai steppe at the foot of the North Chuysky ridge. If you wish, you can drive a few kilometers and walk up to eternal snows. In the Kurai steppe there are the last islands of the taiga, and already beyond the pass the real steppe begins, where nomadic yurts stand and camel caravans roam.

6. Visit the trolls. Norway: Atlantic Road

The Atlantic Road (No. 64) goes almost along the ocean itself, jumping from island to island with the help of bridges and tunnels. This is a unique technological structure: the route is only 8.5 kilometers long - as many as six bridges! The main one is the Storseisundet Bridge, which is also called the “Bridge to Heaven”. If you approach it from the mainland, it seems as if the road surface ends at highest point and the traveler can only jump straight into the sky.

However, the Atlantic Road is only part of the route along the fjords. Moving along it further towards Oslo, you will come to one of the most famous serpentines in Europe - the “Troll Staircase” climbing the mountainside. Harmful trolls often curtain their stairs with thick fog, but this makes the serpentine even more beautiful: gray stones and bizarrely shaped rocks, densely overgrown with lush bright green grass and moss, appear through the “milk”.

7. Stand above the clouds. China: Great Gate Road

This road is one of the steepest serpentines in the world in every sense. She climbs Tianmen Mountain, which is located 8 kilometers from the city of Zhangjiajie in southeast China. This asphalt ribbon, only 11 kilometers long, rises to a height of 1300 meters, making 99 turns along the way! For the Chinese, the number 9 is sacred: it is the number of the emperor, as well as the number of palaces that, according to legend, await a person in heaven.

8. Through the pampas. Argentina: Route 40

Route 40 (Ruta 40) crosses almost the entirety of Argentina from north to south and runs along the high Andean ridges. This is one of the longest roads in the world: 5000 kilometers - no joke! Especially if they go through several climatic zones. The landscape around is constantly changing: forests, rocks, lakes, fields, meadows, deserts, almost uninhabited pampas, asphalt and gravel, dust and red sand, sun and knocking wind...

In Los Glaciares Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, you can visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, home to the third largest reserve fresh water in the world. Its area is quite comparable to the area of the entire Buenos Aires, while the glacier is in constant motion, changing its location by an average of 2 meters every day. You can admire it both from observation platforms and by going for a walk directly on the ice crumbs, accompanied by a climber.

9. Colorado Plateau. USA: Great Circle

The American Wild West is the territory west of the Rocky Mountains. When the pioneers first began to explore the Indian territories, they came across unique natural attractions that they could not appreciate. Today this area is called the "Great Circle".

The most convenient way to travel from Denver is to first go up to the national park " Rocky Mountains”, where the Colorado River begins, and continue through Aspen to the Colorado Plateau. On the way, it is worth seeing Arches Park and the famous Monument Valley in the territory of the Navajo Indians. Near the town of Page, you can't miss the inconspicuous Antelope Canyon - there will be a simple wooden sign on the side of the road with the appropriate inscription. It’s also worth going on a boat trip on Lake Powell; fortunately, you can rent a boat. Just south of Page the famous Grand Canyon begins. If you drive along its southern part, then in addition to views of the canyon you will be able to catch a preserved piece of the first trans-American Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles.

10. Along the edge of the continent. Australia: Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is 243 kilometers long and runs along the Pacific coast of Australia. The road has no practical significance - it was built by soldiers returning from the First World War as a monument to the victims of the battles. After its opening in 1932, the road became the largest war memorial in the world, and thirty years later it was recognized as one of the most picturesque on the planet. And for good reason: the route runs almost along the very coast, offering views of endless expanses of water and quiet secluded lagoons. Among the main attractions along the way is the mysterious “Shipwreck Coast”, where 638 ships have crashed. And the “Twelve Apostles” is a group of limestone rocks standing separately in the ocean up to 45 meters high. In fact, there are only eight rocks here, and until recently they were called nothing more than “Pig and Pigs.”

Independent car and motorcycle travel is becoming more and more popular view recreation. We have selected for you the ten most interesting roads on four continents, which can be a good reason to travel.

1. On the edge of the abyss. France: Verdon Gorge

The Grand Canyon, but not in the USA? Rocky gorge, but not in the desert? Whatever the Verdon Gorge is called, the fact remains that today it is the largest canyon in all of Europe: its length is 25 kilometers and its depth reaches 700 meters! Although the Verdon Gorge is inferior in scale to the Arizona canyon, it clearly surpasses it in beauty: in spring and summer, trees and shrubs cover the slopes with a thick layer, grazing only in front of the steepest cliffs. It will take a whole day to go around the gorge, although there are only a hundred kilometers. But they all consist entirely of bends, descents and ascents, man-made tunnels and passages under rocks hanging overhead and hiding the sky. The most beautiful views the gorge opens from the old Cretan road, or Cretan loop (Route des Cretes, D23), built in ancient times and passing along the northern edge of the canyon. This narrow winding path comes close to the cliff in places. Along its edges there are observation decks, each of which offers breathtaking views of the Verdon. The Cretan loop is considered one-way: you need to drive along it clockwise, starting from the town of Castellane towards the artificial lake of Sainte-Croix, which was formed after the construction of a dam in 1975. You can swim in the lake and spend a few contemplative hours in the shade of the trees with wine and a crispy French baguette. The Luberon Nature Reserve is located 100 kilometers from the Verdon Park. It’s worth visiting here to admire the leisurely village life and visit the ruins of one of the castles of the famous Marquis de Sade. 2. High in the mountains. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan: Pamir Highway
Travelers are always attracted to places marked “the very best”: the northernmost point of Europe, the westernmost point of Russia, the highest mountain, the deepest depression. The Pamir Highway is one of these places. After all, the most high mountain road on the territory of the former USSR. This almost entirely dirt road climbs the spurs of the Pamir Mountains and passes through the three main mountain passes of the Pamirs: Taldyk (3615 m), Kyzyl-Art (4280 m) and the closest point to the “Roof of the World” – Akbaital Pass (4655 m). The eastern part of the tract - from the Kyrgyz city of Osh to the Tajik Khorog - was built in 1931-1934, when the USSR was actively developing the territory of the mountain Pamirs. It passes through green foothills where horses graze and lonely yurts and dung-smeared huts stand, and past the Pamir National Park, dominated by Lenin Peak (7134 m).

AWL Images/Fotodom The Pamir Highway is open to travel only in warm weather - in winter there is a high risk of avalanches.

One of the most exciting stops along the way is Lake Karakul, the largest in Tajikistan, located at an altitude of 3914 meters above sea level. From here begins a steep climb to the spurs of the great Pamirs. Rocks, gorges, tunnels, dirt road, dust, lack of vegetation, rare villages and flocks of sheep - this almost Martian landscape stretches all the way down to the valley on the Tajik side. Your companions all this time will be trucks, donkeys and jeeps, crammed inside and hung with luggage outside. Turning off the road, you can visit several more interesting places: the villages of local residents, the “Farewell to Youth” pass, the Yamchun fortress of fire worshipers, the Bibi Fatima hot springs and much more.

3. From north to south. USA: Dalton Highway

The Dalton Highway is 666 kilometers of dirt road that crosses almost halfway across Alaska from north to south. The route was built in 1974 to deliver cargo to the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay and service the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. And it was named in honor of engineer James Dalton, a specialist in Arctic construction. On a motorcycle or some overly voracious car, one must go here with caution: on the entire highway between Fairbanks, 100 kilometers from where it begins, and Deadhorse, where it ends, there are only two gas stations: at the Yukon River crossing and in Coldfoot (400 km from Fairbanks), so required stock gasoline, as well as tires, tools, food and other essentials, it is better to take it with you right away. Medical care is also only available in Coldfoot or Deadhorse. This is Alaska, gentlemen! A harsh and, at first glance, unfriendly land that will only give a prepared and responsible traveler an unforgettable experience and reveal its riches. Alaska really has something to share: the largest US state is still almost unspoilt by civilization; on its territory there are 23 (!) national parks and reserves. Through some of them: the White Mountains, the National Arctic Wildlife Refuge, nature reserves on the banks of the Yukon River, the Gates of the Arctic Wildlife Refuge - the Dalton Highway passes through, sometimes getting lost in a flat snow-covered or grassy plain, sometimes winding between surrounding on all sides by forested mountains. Another obligatory ritual for all travelers driving along the highway is to take a photo in front of the sign indicating the Arctic Circle.

4. To the homeland of Dracula. Romania: Transfagarasan Highway

When planning the construction of a high-altitude highway through the Fagaras massif in 1970, the last thing Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu thought about was creating an attractive tourist route. Concerned about the events in Czechoslovakia, he feared a military invasion of the country and therefore decided to connect the regions of Wallachia and Transylvania with an inaccessible mountain road for the speedy transfer military equipment. Now Transfagaras is one of the rare examples of how an object created for military purposes becomes famous throughout the world and attracts many tourists to the country. The 261-kilometer-long highway passes through picturesque valleys and fields of wheat, which Romanians sometimes still reap by hand, past lakes and reservoirs, through cute Romanian villages with identical dark stone houses. Not far from the start of the highway is the pretty town of Sibiu, with classic Romanian architecture and, like the Romanian language, a mixture of Latin, Romanesque and Slavic heritage. Almost every village along the way has Orthodox Church, and a church, and a mosque. And in the town of Curtea de Arges you can admire the cathedral with stunning carvings and stucco on the walls. Count Dracula awaits travelers on the Transylvanian side of the Carpathians. It is found everywhere: in the names of streets, restaurants and hotels, in souvenir shops, in ancient castles. One of them, Poenari Castle, towering over the canyon of the Arges River, belonged to Prince Vlad II Tepes in the 15th century, who became the prototype of the famous Dracula. The other is Bran Castle a little away from the Transfagarasan Highway, where Count Dracula never visited, but where he was “settled” by the writer Bram Stoker, thanks to whom the world learned about Dracula. 5. The expanses of Altai. Russia: Chuysky tract
This ancient road is the first line that connected Russia and China many centuries ago. Driving along the Chuysky tract is like crossing the whole of Russia. The path begins in Biysk, with birch groves and villages, in one of which the writer Vasily Shukshin was born. And after a hundred kilometers, once you pass Gorno-Altaisk, it seems as if you are in the times of the development of Siberia: the stormy waters of the Katun, rocky gorges and green valleys. The mountain taiga begins. Turn left and you will get to Lake Teletskoye, right - to the foot of Belukha, where Roerich looked for Shambhala on his way to the Himalayas. And if you drive straight all the time, you will see the Kurai steppe at the foot of the North Chuysky ridge. If you wish, you can drive a few kilometers and walk up to the eternal snow. In the Kurai steppe there are the last islands of the taiga, and already beyond the pass the real steppe begins, where nomadic yurts stand and camel caravans roam. You shouldn’t plan such a trip for a week, because every turn is a reason for a separate short trip. Mentions of the current Chuisky tract, formerly called Mungalsky, can be found in Chinese sources dating back thousands of years. From then until the beginning of the 20th century, it was simply a mountain path used by merchants and pilgrims going to the sacred tree in the upper reaches of the Katun River. The wheeled road from Ongudai to Kosh-Agach (255 km) was built only in 1903. Today, the Chuysky tract is one of the few roads in the world that has been awarded its own museum. It is located in the building of the Biysk Museum of Local Lore - here you can see archival documents and photographs, a three-dimensional model of the road, paintings and dioramas. 6. Visit the trolls. Norway: Atlantic Road
The Atlantic Road (No. 64) goes almost along the ocean itself, jumping from island to island with the help of bridges and tunnels. This is a unique technological structure: the route is only 8.5 kilometers long - as many as six bridges! The main one is the Storseisundet Bridge, which is also called the “Bridge to Heaven”. If you approach it from the mainland, it seems as if the road surface breaks off at the highest point and the traveler can only jump straight into the sky. The impression is intensified if you drive along the Atlantic Road in the fall, when the storm season begins: huge waves roll onto small islands, crash against bridge supports with a roar, and sometimes cover the entire road, trying to lick the cars driving along it. However, the Atlantic Road is only part of the route along the fjords. Moving along it further towards Oslo, you will come to one of the most famous serpentines in Europe - the Trollstigen (Trollstigen) climbing the mountainside. Harmful trolls often curtain their stairs with thick fog, but this makes the serpentine even more beautiful: gray stones and bizarrely shaped rocks, densely overgrown with lush bright green grass and moss, appear through the “milk”. At the top of the mountain, visibility sometimes drops to 3–5 meters: it is all the more interesting to see sheep suddenly appearing from the fog, black lakes and numerous pyramids of stones built by tourists, and maybe even the trolls themselves... If you drive even further along Route 63 ( and there is almost nowhere to escape from it), you will come to one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway - Geiranger. Here you can admire the numerous waterfalls, fish or just wander around the surrounding area. 7. Stand above the clouds. China: Great Gate Road
The Chinese are famous not only for their hard work and perseverance (which is worth only the Great Chinese Wall!), but also a love for symbols, signs and numbers. Therefore, even a person far from Asian culture will not be able to simply drive along the “Big Gate Road”. The fact is that this road is one of the steepest serpentines in the world in every sense. She climbs Tianmen Mountain, which is located 8 kilometers from the city of Zhangjiajie in southeast China. This asphalt ribbon, only 11 kilometers long, rises to a height of 1300 meters, making 99 turns along the way! For the Chinese, the number 9 is sacred: it is the number of the emperor, as well as the number of palaces that, according to legend, await a person in heaven. That is why the road to Tianmen is also called the “Road to Heaven.”

Age/East News In China, traditional boats are still a popular means of transportation.

The main attraction of the route is the Heavenly Gate cave. It was formed in the 3rd century, when a huge block broke off from the rock. The 131.5 meter high "Gate" is often completely shrouded in fog. Local residents believe that by passing through them, you can truly go to heaven. But to earn this right, you have to work hard. There are several ways to get to the cave. The easiest way is to drive a car or tourist bus, the more extreme is to make an “express climb” in a sports car with a professional racing driver at the wheel, and the most difficult is to overcome an impressive staircase with 999 steps. If you want a truly breathtaking experience, you should climb to the top on the world’s longest funicular (7455 meters!) - from its windows you can see views of the entire winding line of the road.

8. Through the pampas. Argentina: Route 40

Route No. 40 (Ruta 40) crosses almost the entirety of Argentina from north to south and runs along the high Andean ridges. This is one of the longest roads in the world: 5000 kilometers is no joke! Especially if they pass through several climate zones. The landscape around is constantly changing: forests, rocks, lakes, fields, meadows, deserts, almost uninhabited pampas, asphalt and gravel, dust and red sand, sun and knocking wind, 27 mountain passes, 18 large rivers finally 20 national parks, in each of which you can spend several days. For example, in Los Glaciares Park, listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, you can visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, which contains the third largest reserve of fresh water in the world. Its area is quite comparable to the area of the entire Buenos Aires, while the glacier is in constant motion, changing its location by an average of 2 meters every day. You can admire it both from observation platforms and by going for a walk directly on the ice crumbs, accompanied by a climber. The same road will lead to the famous “Cave of Hands” (Cueva de las Manos), where all the walls are dotted with prints of human palms and images of hunting scenes, the oldest of which date back to the ninth millennium BC. The second largest one deserves special attention national park Argentina - “Calchaqi Walley”, in which you can get from mountain deserts to subtropical forest in one day - the climate changes so dramatically in one relatively small area land. And, of course, it’s worth driving along Ruta 40 to be impressed by the “Martian” desert landscapes and see the flamingos living on the lakes of Patagonia. 9. Colorado Plateau. USA: Great Circle
The American Wild West is the territory west of the Rocky Mountains. When the pioneers first began to explore the Indian territories, they came across unique natural attractions that they could not appreciate. Today this area is called the “Grand Circle”. The name comes from bus tour, which was called the Grand Circle Tour. The most convenient way to travel from Denver is to first go up to the Rocky Mountain National Park, where the Colorado River begins, and then continue through Aspen to the Colorado Plateau. On the way, it is worth seeing Arches Park (arches.national-park.com) and the famous Monument Valley in the territory of the Navajo Indians. Near the town of Page, you can't miss the inconspicuous Antelope Canyon - there will be a simple wooden sign on the side of the road with the appropriate inscription. It’s also worth going on a boat trip on Lake Powell; fortunately, you can rent a boat. Just south of Page begins the famous Grand Canyon (grandcanyon.com). If you drive along its southern part, then in addition to views of the canyon you will be able to catch a preserved piece of the first trans-American Route 66 (illinoisroute66.org) from Chicago to Los Angeles. Here it’s worth turning again towards the Grand Canyon and living on a real ranch (grandcanyonranch.com). And only then go to the Hoover Dam - a gigantic monument from the era of the 30s of the last century, from where the direct path to Las Vegas begins. This way you will cross the Great Circle from east to west, visiting four states - Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. You won’t be able to see all the beauty of the Grand Circle in one trip—after all, the Colorado Plateau has the largest concentration of parks in the United States—so be prepared to come back here again. 10. Along the edge of the continent. Australia: Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is 243 kilometers long and runs along the Pacific coast of Australia. The road has no practical significance - it was built by soldiers returning from the First World War as a monument to the victims of the battles. After its opening in 1932, the road became the largest war memorial in the world, and thirty years later it was recognized as one of the most picturesque on the planet. And for good reason: the route runs almost along the very coast, offering views of endless expanses of water and quiet secluded lagoons. Among the main attractions along the way is the mysterious Shipwreck Coast, where 638 ships have crashed. And the “Twelve Apostles” is a group of limestone rocks standing separately in the ocean up to 45 meters high. In fact, there are only eight rocks here, and until recently they were called nothing more than “Pig and Pigs.” The poetic name “Twelve Apostles” appeared simply to attract tourists. Another rock about 20 million years old, the Arch of London, has a similar story. For a long time it was called “London Bridge” for its amazing resemblance to the Tower Bridge, and in 1990, when the span closest to the mainland collapsed under the pressure of ocean waves, it turned into an “arch”. This is the uniqueness of the Great ocean road: the coastline changes so quickly that tomorrow you may no longer see what you saw today. It’s worth driving here not only to admire the scenery, lie on the beach or ride the waves. This is also an Australian safari route: in Warrnambool you can watch the migration of southern right whales, and in the Tower Hill Game Reserve you can walk with kangaroos and emus and look at koalas and seabirds.

Every country has highways, passes and roads that are known throughout the world, they appear in movies or movies. Some of them are very interesting to ride, while others are too dangerous. You will see a selection of photographs of the most amazing mountain roads and unique interchanges built in cities.

1. Col de Turini - France
Col de Turini is a road passing through an Alpine pass in the south of France. The height of the road is about 1.2 km above sea level. The road is part of the roads on which the annual Monte Carlo Rally is held.

2. Transfagarasan - Romania
This road is the highest paved road in Romania. It was built during the reign of dictator Ceausescu as a strategic military facility in the period 1970 - 1974. The road connects historical areas Transylvania and Wallachia, and the cities of Sibiu and Pitesti. At the top of the mountain along which this road passes there is a very beautiful glacial lake Bylya. During construction, more than 6 million explosives were used and, according to official data, 40 people died (according to unofficial figures, 400). From October to June the road is closed to traffic.

3. Lysebotn Road - Norway
Lyseboth road is considered one of the most exciting roads in Europe. The road has 27 difficult turns and has a kilometer-long tunnel at the bottom.

4. The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road - UAE
The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road - road in United United Arab Emirates 12 km long. laid along a relatively low mountain of 1200 meters. The road offers stunning views of the desert.

5. Stelvio Pass – Italy
This road, located in the Italian Alps, is one of the most difficult in the world. Average height above sea level here is 2757 meters. Stelvio Pass connects the villages of Valteplina and Mirano with the high mountain Adige valley.

6. Los Caracoles Pass - Chile - Argentina
The road passes through the Andes and connects 2 countries South America- Chile and Argentina. The road is on an extremely steep slope and has many very sharp turns, due to which it is considered one of the most difficult roads in the world.

7. San Bernardino Pass – Switzerland
This road passing through the San Bernardino Pass connects the Swiss cities of Misox and Hinterhain and is also one of the highest roads in the world. The Sant Bernardino Pass is located at an altitude of 2065 meters above sea level.

8. Trollstigen – Norway
"Troll Road" is one of the most famous attractions in Norway. The road is relatively narrow, has an incline of 9% and 11 difficult turns, but if you climb it you will have stunning views of the fjord and the 320 meter high Stigfossen waterfall.

9. Iroha-zaka – Japan
This winding Japanese road connects the pilgrimage centers of Nikko and Oku Nikko. The road actually consists of two separate roads - for going down and for going up. Each of these roads has 48 turns, each of which corresponds to a specific letter of the alphabet.

10. Oberalp Pass – Switzerland
This incredible high mountain road in the Swiss Alps is an important link between central Switzerland and Grisons. During the winter months the road is closed to traffic and is used as a luge track.

This is my first post, I hope you liked it;)

Every year the number of Vehicle Therefore, traveling along the dense network of roads that entangles our entire planet is becoming more and more popular. All of these paths look completely different, so it is difficult, if not impossible, to choose the most suitable ones. beautiful roads peace. There are also several options on different continents, a trip to which can leave an unforgettable impression.

1. Old Cretan Road, France

The Verdon Gorge is the most grand canyon in Europe, it stretches for 25 kilometers, sometimes deepening up to 700 meters. In the warm season, its slopes are densely green with the crowns of trees and shrubs, only in some places the stone of steep rocky ledges can be seen. Particularly beautiful panoramas of the gorge are visible from the old Cretan road, otherwise called the Cretan loop. It was laid back in ancient period along the northern slope of the gorge. The road itself is much longer - about 100 kilometers, but its most beautiful section is connected with the canyon.
Often this narrow, winding road passes dangerously close to a cliff. It has specially equipped observation platforms that offer particularly impressive views of the Verdon. The Cretan Loop is a closed, one-way road that travels clockwise. You can set off from the town of Castellane, heading towards the Sainte-Croix reservoir.

2. Pamir Highway, Tajikistan/Kyrgyzstan

The amazingly beautiful Pamir Highway stretches 720 kilometers, connecting the Tajik capital Dushanbe with the city of Osh in Kyrgyzstan. This old road dates back to the times of the Russian Empire, when it was in fierce competition with the British Empire for control of Central Asia. At that time this route was of strategic importance.
It was the highest road in the empire, as it was laid through a series of high-mountain Pamir passes - Kyzyl-Art, Taldyk, Akbaytal, the heights of which are in the range of 3615-4280 meters. And these days, the journey along such a difficult route is very difficult, so only an experienced driver and a reliable car should venture here, only then can one get pleasure from the route, and not a death certificate. By the way, along most of the road there is no asphalt covering.
For those who dare to make such a journey, the majestic Pamir will show its magnificent snow-capped peaks, numerous tunnels, sheer cliffs and bottomless abysses.

In this article we continue to introduce you to the amazing and abandoned places of our planet. With the first eleven abandoned “ghost places...

3. Dalton Highway, USA

This road crosses Alaska from south to north, dividing it in half. It is a very remote route - along its entire length there are only a few settlements, in which together about 100 people live. The construction of this road in 1974 was designed by engineer Dalton; it was needed to connect with the Prudhoe area, where oil production began. When preparing to travel along this road, you need to stock up on enough fuel, since there are only two gas stations along the entire route. There will be no one here to provide medical assistance or repair a car or motorcycle. But if the traveler is experienced and well prepared, then he will be able to get a generous portion of emotions from this harsh region.

4. Transfagarasan Highway, Romania

This road passes through the territory of Transylvania and the Wallachia region. This mountain road, crossing the Fagaras massif, began to be built in 1970. The all-powerful President of Romania N. Ceausescu then decided to unite Transylvania and Wallachia with the help of this project. The construction was also facilitated by the recent political conflicts of 1968 in Czechoslovakia with the threat of military invasion, without which this picturesque mountain road would hardly have appeared. Therefore, Transfagaras was built as an important military road, but now it attracts tourists.
The road is just over 260 kilometers long, winding through picturesque fields and valleys where peasants still reap golden ears of wheat by hand. Then she runs past deep reservoirs and clear lakes, ancient villages with rows of gray stone houses lined up along the road as if to welcome travelers. At the beginning of the route there is the architecturally interesting town of Sibiu, where features of the Roman, Romanesque and Slavic styles are visible.

The world is full of wonderful places. Any country, any corner of the Earth can boast of various creations of nature: somewhere these are waterfalls, somewhere they are beautiful...

5. Atlantic Road, Norway

Unusuality Atlantic Road, laid in the Møre og Romsdal region, is that it jumps from island to island, hovering over the depths of the fiords and periodically turns into tunnels, then into bridges. The length of this miracle of technical thought is quite small - 8.5 kilometers, but there was enough space for 6 bridges. Particularly impressive is the crossing, called the “bridge to heaven”: approaching it from the mainland, it seems that at the top of the rise the path ends, and the traveler will fly straight into the sky. Autumn trips, when storms are raging below, leave completely different, but no less poignant impressions.

6. Grand Gate Road, China

The Chinese are not only diligent and diligent workers, but have also had a weakness for numerology and symbolism since ancient times. Considered the steepest serpentine road in the world, the Grand Gate Road in Hunan Province is also about numbers: with a modest length of just 11 kilometers, it makes 99 turns, climbing to a height of 1,300 meters. For the Chinese, the number 9 is sacred, it was the sign of the emperor, and according to beliefs, 9 palaces awaited each person who died in the afterlife. For this reason, the road was given such a sonorous name - “the road to heaven.”
Particularly noteworthy is the “Heavenly Gate” cave, which was formed once upon a time after a huge piece broke off from the rock. The height of the cave arches exceeds 130 meters; they are simply not visible in the cloud of fog. There is a legend that a traveler who passes through the gate will find himself in heaven, but first he will have a difficult path to the top.

7. Route 40, Argentina

Highway 40 crosses almost all of Argentina from north to south, along the eastern slopes of the Andes. Its length exceeds 5,000 kilometers, so on its way it passes through several climatic zones. Driving along it, you can see different things: mountains, lakes, fields, forests, deserts, meadows, arid pampas, sand, dust and gravel. Here the strongest winds blow, knocking you down, and the scorching South American sun shines serenely from above.
The road crosses 18 major rivers, 27 mountain passes, two dozen national parks - great places for parking. For example, in Los Glaciares Park there is a large Perito Moreno glacier, which contains huge reserves of fresh water. Its area is roughly comparable to the size of Buenos Aires, and it crawls at a speed of 2 meters per day. There are even observation platforms for observing the glacier. To others interesting place is the “Cave of Hands,” in which primitive people painted the walls with scenes of hunting, and modern people left handprints everywhere.

Our home planet is filled with amazingly beautiful places. Of course, they are all scattered in different corners of it, and that is why we have collected the TOP 10...

8. Great Circle of the Colorado Plateau, USA

The American Wild West begins west of the Rocky Mountains. The pioneers who began to colonize the territories of the Indians discovered unique natural objects, but then they had no time for them. These days they have organized bus route, which was called the “Great Circle Tour.”
It is most convenient to start the journey from Denver, from which there is first an ascent to national park"Rocky Mountains", where the source of the Colorado River is located, and then, after passing resort town Aspen, the path heads towards the Colorado Plateau. During your trip, you can admire the famous Monument Valley, located on Navajo lands, and Arches Park. Near the town of Page there is an inconspicuous sign on the side of the road indicating the direction of Antelope Canyon, which is worth a look. The Grand Canyon begins south of Page. If you drive along its southern side, then along with the panorama of the canyon you will see a preserved section old highway 66, crossing the entire United States from Los Angeles to Chicago.
Not far from the Grand Canyon, you can stay overnight in a real ranch. The next day you can drive along the Hoover Dam - a technological landmark of the 30s of the last century, and from there the road to Las Vegas begins. Driving around the Great Circle clockwise, you can alternately visit the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

9. Great Ocean Road, Australia

Along the Australian coast Pacific Ocean In the state of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road stretches for 243 kilometers. It was built by soldiers returning from the battlefields of World War I, who so honored the memory of their fallen comrades. This largest and most unique memorial was opened in 1932, and 30 years later it was recognized as one of the most beautiful roads on the planet.
The road runs almost along the coast, so from it you can admire the sea surf and the bright glare of light reflected by the waters of the bays. Along the way there are many attractions, for example, the “Shipwreck Coast”, where the wrecks of 638 ships of various types rest. The single limestone rocks, rising 45 meters above the water, look interesting and were called “Pig and Pigs”, but then renamed to the more decent and boring “12 Apostles” (despite the fact that there are only 8 of them). The story is similar at the London Arch rock, which was long called the “London Bridge” because it resembled the silhouette of the Tower Bridge. However, in 1990, waves washed away the span adjacent to the mainland, and instead of a bridge, an arch turned out. In general, rapid and unexpected changes are the “trick” of the Great Ocean Road, since coastline, like a living organism, is constantly changing.

Such natural bodies of water as lakes are often unusually picturesque - the opposite shores are magnificently reflected in the calm, standing water...

10. Chuysky tract, Russia

The Chuysky tract stretches from Novosibirsk to the Mongolian border and is part of the large Asian route AN4, which ends in the Pakistani city of Karachi. The length of the tract itself is 953 kilometers, which can be divided into flat, elevated and mountainous sections.
In the first two sections, the Chuysky tract is not particularly diverse, but, climbing high into the mountains, it can cause genuine delight in the traveler. When driving from Novosibirsk, the beauty of the road gradually intensifies. After Novosibirsk region begins Altai region, here still on the plain it passes Biysk and then heads deeper into Altai. Before entering the Altai Republic, you come across the first important attraction - the village of Srostki, where the wonderful actor and writer Vasily Shukshin was born. After a hundred kilometers, the most attractive mountain section of the route begins, when the fast Katun River with magnificent rapids becomes the right neighbor of the road. From here you can see mountain peaks with dense vegetation and steep cliffs.

Hands to Feet. Subscribe to our channel at