Discover the World’s Most Scenic Roads: Top Routes to Ride in 2025

Embarking on a journey along some of the world's most scenic roads offers an unparalleled blend of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural immersion. In 2025, road enthusiasts are more eager than ever to explore iconic highways and hidden byways that showcase diverse landscapes—from towering mountain ranges and serene coastal vistas to sprawling deserts and lush forests. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first epic drive, this guide highlights the top roads and routes you need to experience in 2025, ensuring your journey is nothing short of unforgettable. Scenic road trips provide a unique way to connect with the environment and discover new places at your own pace. Unlike other forms of travel, driving allows for spontaneous detours, extended stops at breathtaking viewpoints, and the flexibility to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. With advancements in vehicle technology and improved road infrastructures, exploring these routes has become more accessible and enjoyable than ever. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also known as Highway 1, is synonymous with stunning ocean views, rugged cliffs, and charming coastal towns. Stretching approximately 655 miles from Southern California to the northern reaches near San Francisco, the PCH offers diverse landscapes and numerous attractions. - **Big Sur**: Renowned for its dramatic cliffs and panoramic ocean views, Big Sur is a must-stop for any PCH traveler. Iconic spots like Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls provide perfect photo opportunities. - **Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea**: These picturesque towns offer delightful beaches, world-class restaurants, and vibrant arts scenes. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a standout attraction for families and nature enthusiasts. - **Santa Barbara**: Known as the "American Riviera," Santa Barbara boasts Mediterranean-style architecture, pristine beaches, and excellent wineries, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and indulgence. Spring and fall are the optimal seasons to drive the PCH, offering mild weather and fewer crowds compared to the summer peak season. The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most famous and picturesque routes, stretching over 240 kilometers along the southern coast of Victoria. Built by returning World War I soldiers, this road trip is steeped in history and natural beauty. - **Twelve Apostles**: These iconic limestone stacks rising majestically from the Southern Ocean are a photographer’s dream. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to capture their beauty. - **Otway National Park**: Explore lush rainforests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. Activities include hiking, bird watching, and even zip-lining for the adventurous. - **Bells Beach**: Famous for its surf competitions, Bells Beach is a must-visit for surf enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy the vibrant beach culture. The Great Ocean Road is enjoyable year-round, but spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer the best weather and fewer tourists. Located in the Italian Alps, the Stelvio Pass is renowned for its 48 hairpin bends and breathtaking alpine scenery. At an elevation of 2,757 meters (9,045 feet), it’s one of the highest paved roads in the Eastern Alps and a favorite among motorsport enthusiasts and cyclists. - **Twist and Turns**: The pass features 48 switchbacks on the northern side, providing a thrilling driving experience with stunning panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows. - **Breda Cime**: A nearby hiking trail offers a different perspective of the majestic Stelvio Pass and the surrounding landscape. - **Local Cuisine**: Enjoy hearty alpine dishes in nearby mountain villages, where you can savor traditional Italian and Tyrolean specialties. June to September are the best months to traverse the Stelvio Pass, as the road is typically clear of snow and offers the most stable weather conditions. The North Coast 500 (NC500) is a 500-mile scenic route around the northern Highlands of Scotland, offering a mix of coastal cliffs, remote beaches, historic castles, and vibrant wildlife. - **Cairngorms National Park**: Explore the rugged landscapes, pristine lochs, and diverse wildlife of Scotland’s largest national park. - **Dunrobin Castle**: Visit this fairy-tale castle with its stunning gardens and rich history, offering guided tours and falconry displays. - **Beaches of Sutherland**: Known for their unspoiled beauty, these beaches are perfect for surfing, kayaking, and relaxing by the sea. Late spring to early autumn (May to September) is ideal for driving the NC500, with longer daylight hours and milder weather enhancing the scenic beauty. The Icefields Parkway is a 232-kilometer highway connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, offering stunning views of glaciers, mountain lakes, and towering peaks. - **Lake Louise**: Famous for its turquoise waters and surrounding snow-capped mountains, Lake Louise is a must-visit for photography and outdoor activities. - **Columbia Icefield**: One of the largest ice fields in the Rockies, the Columbia Icefield offers guided tours, glacier walks, and the opportunity to ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier. - **Sunwapta Falls**: These powerful waterfalls are easily accessible and provide a spectacular display of nature’s force. Summer (June to August) offers the best conditions for driving the Icefields Parkway, with clear skies and fully open roadways. However, late spring and early fall can also be beautiful, with fewer crowds and vibrant autumn colors. The Ring Road, or Route 1, encircles the entire island of Iceland, offering access to some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders, including volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. - **Golden Circle**: A popular detour featuring Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. - **Vatnajökull National Park**: Home to Europe’s largest glacier, this park offers hiking, ice climbing, and breathtaking glacier lagoons like Jökulsárlón. - **Reykjavík to Akureyri**: The northern part of the Ring Road showcases charming fishing villages, lush valleys, and dramatic fjords. Summer (June to August) is the prime season for driving the Ring Road, with milder weather, extended daylight hours, and fully accessible roads. Winter drives are possible but require careful planning due to icy conditions and limited daylight. The Garden Route is a picturesque stretch along South Africa’s southeastern coast, renowned for its diverse landscapes, charming towns, and abundant wildlife. Spanning approximately 300 kilometers from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the Garden Route offers a mix of beaches, forests, lagoons, and mountains. - **Tsitsikamma National Park**: Known for its lush forests, suspension bridges, and adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping and zip-lining. - **Knysna**: A beautiful town situated around a tranquil lagoon, famous for its oysters, vibrant arts scene, and the Knysna Heads cliffs. - **Plettenberg Bay**: Offers pristine beaches, whale watching, and scenic hiking trails. It’s also a gateway to Robberg Nature Reserve. The Garden Route is enjoyable year-round, but spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) provide the best weather and fewer tourists, allowing for a more relaxed exploration. The Amalfi Coast is famous for its dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and sparkling Mediterranean waters. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers some of Italy’s most stunning landscapes, along with rich cultural experiences and delectable cuisine. - **Positano**: Known for its steep, narrow streets lined with vibrant houses and upscale boutiques. The beaches here are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. - **Ravello**: Famous for its beautiful gardens and panoramic views, Ravello hosts the annual Ravello Festival, celebrating music and the arts. - **Amalfi**: The town gives the coast its name and is known for its historic cathedral, charming piazzas, and lemon groves. - **Path of the Gods (Il Sentiero degli Dei)**: A stunning hiking trail that offers unparalleled views of the coastline and is a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts. Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) are ideal for visiting the Amalfi Coast, with pleasant weather and fewer crowds compared to the summer peak season. 2025 is the year to embrace the beauty and diversity of the world’s most scenic roads. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged cliffs of the Pacific Coast Highway, the historic charm of Route 66, or the natural wonders of the Icefields Parkway, each route offers a unique tapestry of experiences and memories waiting to be made. Proper planning, the right vehicle, and a spirit of adventure will ensure that your journey along these top roads is safe, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable. So, pack your bags, fuel up, and set forth on the road of your dreams—2025 is calling, and the open road awaits!