14 Mountain Roads That Deliver the Most Beautiful Drives on Earth

Mountain roads sharpen the senses. The air thins, horizons stretch, and every bend brings a new drama of rock, ice, forest, and sky. These drives reward patience and preparation with big‑screen scenery and small moments—marmots on a roadside boulder, a glacier glowing at dusk, fog lifting from a spruce valley. What follows: fourteen of the most beautiful mountain roads on Earth, plus practical advice to help you time the seasons, handle the gradients, and make the most of each stop.

How to Plan a Mountain Drive That You’ll Actually Enjoy

• Mind the season. High passes close for snow or avalanche control. Shoulder months can be sublime, but check live updates the night before and the morning of your drive.

• Pick the right vehicle. Short wheelbases and good brakes help on hairpins. For gravel or steep grades, a true 4×4 (low range) beats “AWD-lite.” Downshift for descents; don’t ride brakes.

• Start early. You’ll snag parking at viewpoints, dodge afternoon storms, and get the best light. It also reduces wildlife encounters at dusk and long waits at choke points like tunnels.

• Download offline maps. Mountain valleys kill cell signal. Add paper backups for complex multi-pass routes.

• Respect weather and altitude. Conditions swing fast. Pack layers, water, sun protection, and snacks. If you feel dizzy or nauseous at high elevation, descend.

• Drive with trail etiquette in mind. Uphill traffic has priority on narrow lanes. Pull into turnouts to let faster drivers pass and to soak in views without pressure.

The Roads

Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road, Montana, USA

• Essentials: 50 miles; Logan Pass 6,646 ft; season late June–Sept (variable); reservations required in peak summer.

This narrow ribbon chisels across Glacier National Park’s Garden Wall, blending alpine meadows, sawtooth peaks, and waterfalls that mist the pavement. Vehicle size limits apply, and daytime vehicle reservations are typically required—book early. Logan Pass fills by mid-morning; go at sunrise for wildflowers and mountain goats on the Hidden Lake Overlook trail.

Expect construction delays and sudden weather swings: sleet in July isn’t rare. Carry layers and a telephoto lens for critters. Avalanche chutes melt out late, so early season can include water crossing the road; drive slowly to avoid hydroplaning and stop only in signed pullouts.

Beartooth Highway, Montana & Wyoming, USA

• Essentials: 68 miles; Beartooth Pass 10,947 ft; season late May–Oct; volatile weather year-round.

Many roadies call US‑212 America’s finest alpine drive. It scales the Beartooth Plateau to a tundra world of snow patches, mirror lakes, and jagged skylines. The approach from Red Lodge is a symphony of switchbacks; from the Wyoming side the views spill toward Yellowstone.

Afternoon storms can bring whiteouts even in July. Start early, fuel up beforehand, and watch for motorcyclists and loaded touring bikes. Stop at the Gardner Lake and Top of the World pullouts. If you’re heading to Yellowstone, build a time buffer—this road deserves lingering.

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina & Virginia, USA

• Essentials: 469 miles; highest point 6,053 ft; open year-round with winter closures; 45 mph speed limit.

This is a gentler mountain drive—rolling ridgelines, rhododendron tunnels, and milepost-to-milepost perfection linking Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains. Autumn steals the show; timing varies by elevation, so chase color up or down the ridge.

The pace is deliberately slow, with no commercial traffic and frequent overlooks like Craggy Gardens and Waterrock Knob. Download closure maps before you go; ice and maintenance can create detours. Pack a picnic—wayfinding to towns is simple, but services aren’t right on the road.

Stelvio Pass, South Tyrol & Lombardy, Italy

• Essentials: 31 miles (pass area); 2,757 m (9,045 ft); season late May–Oct; 48 stacked hairpins on the east ramp.

Stelvio is drama carved into the Ortler Alps—signature hairpins, stone guardwalls, and cyclists grinding skyward. The east side’s ribboned switchbacks are Instagram’s favorite, but the Bormio approach adds tunnels and waterfalls.

Weekends jam with bikes, cars, and tour buses. Aim for a shoulder-season weekday. Keep it in second gear on the descent, and pull into lay-bys to cool brakes. Try local speck and apple strudel at the summit huts, and if you’re road-tripping the region, link Stelvio with the Gavia or Umbrail passes for a grand loop.

Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria

• Essentials: 48 km; 2,504 m; mid-May–early Nov; toll road with well-kept facilities.

Austria’s showpiece drive sweeps into the Hohe Tauern with engineered curves and groomed viewpoints. The detour to Kaiser‑Franz‑Josefs‑Höhe delivers a jaw-dropping look at the Pasterze Glacier and, often, alpine ibex on the rocks.

Expect photo stops every few minutes—designated pullouts make it easy. The road is wide and confidence-boosting compared to gnarlier passes. Grab the day ticket early, and pair the drive with a short walk to the glacier viewpoints. If clouds sock in, wait it out in a visitor center café; weather can flip in an hour.

Furka Pass, Switzerland

• Essentials: 2429 m (7,969 ft); season Jun–Oct; links Valais and Uri; historic Hotel Belvédère.

Furka threads through classic Swiss scenery—granite slabs, bright meadows, and the Rhône Glacier’s retreating tongue. The Belvédère curve starred in Goldfinger, but the glacier grotto changes yearly as the ice shrinks.

Sightlines can be tight, especially when coaches swing wide on hairpins. Keep to your line and use turnouts. Combine Furka with Grimsel and Susten passes for an epic triangle. Early mornings deliver clear mountains; afternoon convection can bring fog and showers.

Col de l’Iseran, France

• Essentials: 2,764 m (9,068 ft); highest paved pass in the Alps; season Jun–Oct; D902 between Val d’Isère and Bonneval‑sur‑Arc.

Iseran feels vast and austere: wide valleys, Romanesque stone chapels, and alpine tarns that mirror clouds. The climb from Bonneval is a gem, staying wild right to the pass.

Watch for cyclists and sheep on the roadway. Fuel up in Bourg‑Saint‑Maurice or Val d’Isère; services thin out at altitude. If traffic swells, detour into the Vanoise trails from the roadheads. A lightweight jacket is a must—even sunny days whip up a chill at the summit.

Transfăgărășan, Romania

• Essentials: DN7C; 90 km; 2,042 m at Bâlea Lake; season late Jun–Oct; hairpins, tunnels, viaducts.

Built across the Făgăraș Mountains, this route spirals to a glacial lake ringed by hushed ridgelines. It’s as photogenic as its reputation suggests, especially from the northern approach where the stacked switchbacks form a perfect S‑curve.

Weekends can gridlock. Go early on a weekday and aim for sunrise at Bâlea Lake. Watch for stray dogs and slow-moving carts in the lower villages. After the summit, continue to Poenari Citadel for a historic detour and valley views, or hike short ridge paths above the lake.

Trollstigen, Norway

• Essentials: RV63; 11 hairpins; 10% gradient; season May–Oct; viewpoint and visitor center at the top.

Trollstigen is sculpted into a sheer wall, waterfalls draping the cliff and tiny vehicles snaking below. The drive is short, so slow down and soak in the geometry from the cantilevered viewpoints.

Traffic often includes large buses; yield patiently and use the passing pockets. The road can be wet and slick from constant spray, so brake gently and avoid sudden moves. Pair with the Geirangerfjord section of RV63 for a day of fjord-meets-mountain grandeur, and bring a rain shell—weather moves fast here.

Sani Pass, South Africa to Lesotho

• Essentials: 9 km climb on gravel; 2,876 m; 4×4 required; border hours typically 6 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sani is a rite of passage: a rugged ascent from KwaZulu-Natal into Lesotho along a cliff-lined track peppered with tight, rocky switchbacks. Views stretch over the Drakensberg’s basalt ramparts, and at the top you’ll find Sani Mountain Lodge and its famous “highest pub in Africa.”

Check both border posts’ current hours and bring passports, vehicle papers, and cash for Lesotho fees. Conditions swing from mud to ice to dust; low-range gearing matters. In winter, snow can close the pass. If you’re new to off-road mountain driving, consider a guided transfer; you’ll still get the full view without white-knuckle stress.

Karakoram Highway, Pakistan to China

• Essentials: ~1,300 km; Khunjerab Pass 4,693 m; selective seasonal closure; visas and permits required.

The KKH is not just a road; it’s a geological epic, running through the collision zone of tectonic plates. Between Gilgit and the Hunza Valley, glaciers spill toward turquoise Attabad Lake, apricot orchards hug stone villages, and 7,000‑meter peaks crowd the skyline.

Rockfall, construction, and altitude demand respect. Drive defensive, avoid night travel, and check local advisories. The Khunjerab border often closes in winter; confirm schedules well ahead. Base yourself in Karimabad for day trips to Passu Cones and Hussaini suspension bridge, and leave flex days for weather holds.

Leh–Manali Highway, India

• Essentials: ~427 km; passes over 5,000 m; season June–Sept; limited services.

This high‑desert traverse strings together otherworldly moorlands, looping canyons, and hairpin walls like Gata Loops. Key passes—Baralacha La, Nakee La, Lachulung La, Tanglang La—each deliver a distinct palette of rock and sky.

Hydration, sun protection, and a sane pace are everything. Sleep in Manali or Keylong before tackling big passes; AMS can hit strong. Fuel up whenever you can and carry cash. Monsoon damage and landslides are common—listen to local advice, and consider the Atal Tunnel routing if Rohtang is snarled.

Milford Road (SH94), New Zealand

• Essentials: 144 km from Te Anau to Milford Sound; Homer Tunnel; open year-round with avalanche controls.

Few drives match the theatrical set design of Fiordland—mirror lakes, beech forest, sheer granite, and moody skies. The single‑lane Homer Tunnel is controlled by signals; queues form in high season, and kea parrots may inspect your car with mischievous curiosity.

No fuel at Milford; fill in Te Anau and pack snacks. Winter brings snow and chain requirements, and the avalanche program can trigger closures. Build in hikes like Key Summit or Lake Marian to turn a drive into a day of immersion. Sandflies love still air—bring repellent.

Tianmen Mountain Road, China

• Essentials: 11 km; 99 bends; near Zhangjiajie; private cars often restricted—take park buses or the cable car.

Known as the “Avenue Toward Heaven,” this sinuous road winds to a natural rock arch at Tianmen Cave. While you’ll likely experience it from a shuttle bus or a cable car soaring above karst peaks, the view back down the 99 bends is unforgettable.

Secure tickets in advance during holidays, and go early to avoid long queues. The glass skywalks cling to the cliffs—worth a stroll if your nerves allow. Weather flips quickly; on misty days, the road becomes a ribbon suspended in cloud, and the cable car can pause in high winds.

Milford Alternative: Arthur’s Pass, New Zealand

• Essentials: SH73; 231 km Christchurch–Greymouth; Otira Viaduct; open year-round with winter cautions.

Arthur’s Pass climbs from Canterbury plains through beech forest to a rugged Alpine divide, then drops into West Coast rainforest. The Otira Viaduct is an engineering marvel spanning a landslide-prone gorge.

Keas are regulars at pullouts—protect weatherstripping and bags. Heavy rain can trigger slips and closures; check Waka Kotahi updates. Short walks to Devil’s Punchbowl Falls or Temple Basin add leg-stretch breaks that fit nicely into a day’s drive.

Bonus Alpine Classic: Transalpina (DN67C), Romania

• Essentials: ~140 km; 2,145 m at Urdele Pass; season June–Oct; less crowded than Transfăgărășan.

Romania’s “King’s Road” is broader and more flowing than its famous neighbor, threading high meadows and long ridgelines. Views run wide, and the traffic is lighter, making it a smooth companion route if you’re touring the Carpathians.

Weather flips between sun and fog in minutes. Fuel up in Novaci or Sebeș, and watch for sheep flocks near the crest. If you’re camping, evenings deliver astonishing star fields with minimal light pollution.

Practical Tips for Driving High and Happy

• Permits and reservations: Some roads require timed entry (Going‑to‑the‑Sun) or charge tolls (Grossglockner). Border routes need valid documents and vehicle papers (Sani, Karakoram). Check official sites a week out and again the day before.

• Brakes and gears: Mountain driving is about control, not speed. Use engine braking on descents; if you smell brakes, pull over to cool them. Automatic transmissions often have manual modes—use them.

• Wildlife and livestock: Elk, ibex, sheep, even monkeys near some South Asian routes—expect animals on the road, especially at dawn and dusk. Slow, steady, and predictable beats abrupt maneuvers.

• Weather and roadwork: Summer rockfall, afternoon thunderstorms, and shoulder-season snow are par for the course. Bring a microfleece, rain shell, gloves, hat, and a compact first-aid kit even in July.

• Leave no trace: Park in marked pullouts, keep drones grounded where prohibited, and pack out everything. Fragile alpine meadows recover slowly from trampling.

Building a Mountain Road Trip Itinerary

• Pair passes strategically. In the Alps, link Furka–Grimsel–Susten or Stelvio–Gavia–Umbrail. In Romania, tackle Transfăgărășan one day and Transalpina the next.

• Pace the mileage. 120–200 km in the mountains can feel like 400 km on a highway. Plan fewer daily kilometers and more time for short walks.

• Sleep high, acclimatize smart. For very high routes (KKH segments, Leh–Manali), spend a night or two at mid-elevation first. Your trip will be safer and more enjoyable.

• Choose sunrise or sunset. Photographers love the soft light that sculpts ridges and picks out textures. Mornings also sidestep crowds on famous hairpin sections.

Final Word: Drive for the View, Stay for the Moments

The beauty of these roads isn’t only the postcard angles. It’s the hush when the wind drops on a summit pullout, the smell of wet rock after a passing squall, the grin that sneaks in after your first perfectly clipped hairpin. Pick a season, prep well, and go slow enough to let the mountains introduce themselves. The best souvenir is the memory you make between the bends.