Most Beautiful Highways in the World: Top 10

The most beautiful highways in the world, as of October 2026, include Australia's Great Ocean Road, Norway's Atlantic Ocean Road and the Big Sur coast.

A great scenic road is more than a way from one town to the next. It frames cliffs, glaciers, fjords and surf breaks like a moving gallery, and the best of them were engineered so carefully that the road itself has become a landmark. This Finepedia guide ranks ten celebrated routes spread across four continents and both hemispheres, from a war memorial carved along the Southern Ocean to a Cold War era pass over the Carpathians.

The list focuses on beauty, not danger. Finepedia already covers the most dangerous roads in the world separately, so famous risk routes such as Bolivia's Death Road appear only in that article. Every length, elevation, opening year and seasonal rule below was checked against road authorities, national park services, tourism boards or official heritage listings, and statuses are given as of October 2026. Where sources disagree, the figure is given as a range or rounded, and claims that could not be confirmed were left out.

How We Ranked the Most Beautiful Highways

No official body measures beauty on asphalt, so Finepedia scored each candidate from 1 to 10 on three transparent criteria and ordered the list by the total.

• Scenery and variety: how dramatic and how varied the views are, from coastline and cliffs to glaciers, forests and lakes, over the length of the drive.
• Engineering and iconic status: bridges, tunnels, hairpins or historic construction stories that make the road itself a destination, plus international recognition.
• Accessibility for travellers: length of the season, road quality, availability of services and how easy the drive is for an ordinary visitor with a rental car.

Ties were broken on the scenery score first. Roads mainly famous for being dangerous, and long expedition routes that need days on gravel, were kept out of the main ten and are listed in the honourable mentions.

Scoring Snapshot

Beautiful Highways at a Glance

Readers who love the photography side of road trips may also enjoy Finepedia's guide to the most Instagrammable places to visit.

1. Great Ocean Road (Australia)

History

The Great Ocean Road was built by more than 3,000 returned First World War servicemen between 1919 and 1932, much of it with picks, shovels and explosives on steep, unstable coastal slopes. It was conceived as a working memorial to the soldiers who served and died in that war, and on completion it was described as the largest war memorial on Earth. A memorial arch at Eastern View greets drivers with that dedication.

In April 2011 the road and its scenic surroundings were added to the Australian National Heritage List, recognising both its wartime story and its landscape. It remains a two-lane coastal road rather than a freeway, which is a large part of its charm.

What Makes It Beautiful

• The Twelve Apostles and neighbouring sea stacks near Port Campbell, sculpted from soft limestone by Southern Ocean swells.
• Long stretches where the road hugs the shoreline between Lorne and Apollo Bay, with surf on one side and forested hills on the other.
• An inland detour through the Great Otway National Park, with tall temperate rainforest and waterfalls.
• Surf towns such as Torquay and Anglesea, and the rugged Shipwreck Coast further west.

Driving Tips

Allow at least two days if you want to stop properly; a single-day return trip from Melbourne leaves little time beyond car parks. Many visitors drive east to west so that the coastal lookouts are on the left-hand, ocean side for Australian left-hand traffic. Arrive at the Twelve Apostles early in the morning or near sunset to avoid tour-bus peaks, and watch for wildlife and cyclists on blind curves.

Interesting Facts

• The builders were returned soldiers, and the road doubles as a memorial to their fallen comrades.
• Erosion by the Southern Ocean continues to reshape the limestone stacks, and individual pillars have collapsed in living memory.
• The road earned National Heritage listing in 2011.
• Its national heritage listing covers the road together with its scenic environs, not just the pavement.

2. Atlantic Ocean Road (Norway)

History

The idea of a fixed link across this skerry-strewn stretch of coast first appeared in early 20th century railway plans, which were shelved. Local campaigners revived it as a road project, and construction began on 1 August 1983. Builders battled repeated severe storms before the road opened on 7 July 1989.

Part of the cost was recovered through tolls, which have long since been removed. In 2005 the road was voted Norwegian Construction of the Century, and it is now part of Norway's National Tourist Routes programme.

What Makes It Beautiful

• The road hops between small islands and skerries on causeways and low bridges, so the sea feels close on both sides.
• Storseisundet Bridge appears from some angles to end in mid-air, a famous optical effect for photographers.
• Rest areas and viewpoints, some with fishing platforms and walkways, let drivers step out above the waves.
• Weather turns the same short drive into very different experiences, from glassy calm to crashing spray.

Driving Tips

The route is short enough to drive in a quarter of an hour, so plan to stop at the viewpoints rather than simply crossing. Combine it with the coast road towards Bud, which is included in the tourist route, or with the towns of Kristiansund and Molde. In strong onshore winds, waves can spill onto the roadway, so drive slowly and follow local warnings.

Interesting Facts

• The road runs between the villages of Kårvåg and Vevang, crossing the mouth of a fjord that opens to the Norwegian Sea.
• It is a regular location for car commercials because of its curving bridges.
• Since 2009 an undersea tunnel has also linked Averøy with Kristiansund.
• It is one of 18 routes in Norway's National Tourist Routes programme.

3. Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur (United States)

History

Before the highway, the Big Sur coast was among the most isolated parts of California. Work on the Carmel to San Simeon route took about 18 years, with San Quentin prison camps supplying part of the labour, and the highway was dedicated on 27 June 1937. Its most photographed structure, the concrete arch of Bixby Creek Bridge, was finished in 1932.

The same steep geology that makes Big Sur spectacular also makes it fragile. Paul's Slide closed the road from January 2023 to June 2024, and Regent's Slide, which struck on 9 February 2024, kept a section shut until Caltrans reopened it on 14 January 2026, months ahead of schedule. A storm-related closure followed early in 2026, and through traffic between Carmel and Cambria was restored again on 20 February 2026.

What Makes It Beautiful

• Sheer coastal mountains drop almost straight into the Pacific, with the road carved halfway up the slopes.
• Bixby Creek Bridge and Rocky Creek Bridge frame the coastline in classic 1930s arches.
• Redwood canyons, coastal fog banks and turquoise coves change the scene every few miles.
• The southern stretch near San Simeon opens onto gentler grassy bluffs.

Driving Tips

Check the Caltrans QuickMap before departure, especially after rain, because short closures for debris clearing still happen. Fill your tank in Carmel, Monterey or Cambria, since fuel along the coast is limited and expensive. Use the signed turnouts to let faster traffic pass, and never stop on the roadway for photos, which causes many incidents on this route.

Interesting Facts

• Bixby Creek Bridge opened to traffic in November 1932.
• The full Big Sur coast was reconnected in January 2026 for the first time in almost three years.
• Caltrans removed around 6,000 cubic yards of mud before the January 2026 reopening.
• Big Sur has no large towns, only small communities and lodges spread along the road.

4. Icefields Parkway (Canada)

History

The original road was a Depression-era relief project started in 1931, when crews built a narrow gravel route between Lake Louise and Jasper; it was finished in 1940. As car travel grew after the Second World War, the route was realigned, rebuilt and paved, and the modern parkway opened in 1961.

Parks Canada maintains the road as a special-use scenic corridor. Commercial trucks are not allowed except by permit, and every vehicle needs a valid national park pass, which helps fund plowing, sanding and avalanche control.

What Makes It Beautiful

• Hanging glaciers and icefields appear along much of the route, including the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield.
• Peyto Lake and Bow Lake glow turquoise from glacial rock flour in summer.
• Waterfalls such as Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls are only short walks from the road.
• Wildlife sightings, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk and bears, are common.

Driving Tips

There is no year-round cell coverage and only one seasonal gas station, at Saskatchewan River Crossing, so fill up in Lake Louise or Jasper. From 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres or chains are mandatory. Do not stop in the 38 marked avalanche paths, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife, which is protected by law.

Interesting Facts

• Parks Canada lists Bow Summit at about 2,070 m; older brochures gave slightly higher figures.
• Sunwapta Pass, at 2,035 m, marks the border between Banff and Jasper national parks.
• Recreational drones are banned in all Canadian national parks.
• Parts of the seasonal 93A route still show the effects of the 2024 Jasper wildfire.

5. Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Austria)

History

Plans for a road over the Hochtor were mocked in the 1920s, when private cars were still rare in Austria. The 1929 economic crash changed the argument: the project became a job-creation scheme, and the first blasting took place in August 1930. Engineer Franz Wallack designed the route, and the road opened on 3 August 1935 after about 26 months of construction spread over snow-free seasons.

It was designed from the start as a scenic toll road, a model for later alpine panoramic routes. Today it is on Austria's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status and draws roughly 800,000 to 1 million visitors a year.

What Makes It Beautiful

• The view from Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe takes in the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain at 3,798 m, and the Pasterze Glacier.
• The road climbs through four vegetation zones, from valley forest to bare high-alpine rock and ice.
• Numbered hairpins make the ascent a slow, sweeping reveal of the Hohe Tauern peaks.
• Marmots are often seen in alpine meadows near the upper car parks.

Driving Tips

A toll applies; in 2026 a day ticket for a car costs 46.50 euros, with cheaper rates for electric vehicles and reduced autumn prices from mid-October. Arrive soon after the gates open in summer to beat the crowds at the glacier viewpoint. Use low gears on the long descents to protect your brakes, and expect many cyclists and motorcyclists.

Interesting Facts

• Construction involved moving about 870,000 cubic metres of earth and rock and building 67 bridges.
• The Edelweissspitze offers views of more than 30 peaks over 3,000 m.
• A day ticket includes access to exhibitions and themed trails along the road.
• Its operator ranks it among the three most visited excursion destinations in Austria.

6. Amalfi Coast Road (Italy)

History

For centuries the Amalfi Coast had no wheeled road at all, and villages relied on boats and mule tracks. Engineers of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies built the coastal route between 1832 and 1850, and it was inaugurated on 12 January 1853, on the birthday of King Ferdinand II, after whom it was first named. It became state road 163 in 1953.

The coastline it serves was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, recognising its terraced lemon groves, cliffside towns and long history as a maritime republic.

What Makes It Beautiful

• Pastel towns such as Positano, Praiano and Atrani cling to slopes directly above the Tyrrhenian Sea.
• The road threads tunnels, stone walls and tight bends with the sea hundreds of metres below.
• The narrow fjord at Furore is crossed by a small bridge high above a tiny beach.
• Terraced vineyards and lemon groves line the hillsides between towns.

Driving Tips

On busy dates the authorities apply an alternate-plate rule between 10:00 and 18:00: on odd-numbered dates cars with plates ending in an odd digit may not use the road, and on even dates those ending in an even digit are barred, with exemptions for residents, taxis, hotel guests with bookings and others. In 2026 it covered Easter week, the late April holidays and much of the summer. Many visitors find public buses or ferries less stressful than driving, and parking in Positano and Amalfi is scarce and costly.

Interesting Facts

• The road was first called the Strada Ferdinandea in honour of King Ferdinand II.
• Two-wheelers are exempt from the alternate-plate rule.
• Much of the road has only one narrow lane in each direction, with numerous bends and hairpins.
• The fourteen municipalities of the coast, including Agerola, are exempt for residents.

For travellers planning a calmer escape after the drive, Finepedia's list of the most relaxing destinations to visit offers ideas.

7. Milford Road (New Zealand)

History

The route was first surveyed in 1890, but construction stalled for decades. During the Great Depression, relief workers began cutting the Homer Tunnel by hand in 1935, living in tents in a valley that saw little winter sunshine. The breakthrough came in 1940, but wartime labour shortages delayed completion until 1953.

Long sections of the road, including the tunnel, remained gravel until the 1980s. Today it is the only road to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand's most visited places and part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.

What Makes It Beautiful

• The Eglinton Valley opens into broad golden grasslands framed by beech forest and mountains.
• The Mirror Lakes reflect the Earl Mountains on calm mornings.
• Near the Homer Tunnel, granite walls rise vertically, streaked with waterfalls after rain.
• The road ends at Milford Sound, where Mitre Peak rises straight from the fiord.

Driving Tips

Allow around two and a half hours one way without stops, and much longer with photo breaks. There is no fuel after Te Anau, so fill up before leaving. From roughly June to November, chains may be required, and the road can close for avalanche control; check the NZ Transport Agency journey planner, and never stop in the signed avalanche zone between the tunnel and the Chasm.

Interesting Facts

• The Homer Saddle was discovered by William Homer and George Barber in 1889.
• The tunnel walls are still bare, unlined granite.
• The Homer Tunnel has a noticeable downhill slope towards the Milford side.
• Many visitors combine the drive with a boat cruise on Milford Sound.

8. Transfăgărășan (Romania)

History

The Transfăgărășan was ordered by Nicolae Ceaușescu after the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, as a strategic route for moving troops across the Carpathians. Army engineering units, with thousands of soldiers, did much of the work between 1970 and 1974, using large amounts of explosives in hard terrain; the official opening came on 20 September 1974, although paving continued until 1980.

International fame arrived in November 2009, when the British show Top Gear filmed there and presenter Jeremy Clarkson called it the best road in the world, a title the team had earlier given to Italy's Stelvio Pass.

What Makes It Beautiful

• Stacked hairpins on the northern side look like a ribbon thrown over the mountain.
• Bâlea Lake, a glacial lake near the summit, sits among bare alpine ridges.
• The southern side descends past the Vidraru Dam and lake through forested valleys.
• Bâlea Waterfall and the ruins of Poenari Castle can be visited on the way.

Driving Tips

Only the high section between Bâlea Cascadă and Piscu Negru, about 27 km, closes in winter. In 2026 it reopened on 12 June, with traffic allowed only between 07:00 and 21:00, and snow returned to the upper road on 15 October 2026, so check the national road authority CNAIR before travelling late in the season. A cable car links Bâlea Cascadă and Bâlea Lake when the road is shut. Expect slow traffic, livestock and sudden fog.

Interesting Facts

• The Bâlea Tunnel near the summit, roughly 880 to 900 m long depending on the source, is Romania's longest road tunnel.
• The road is sometimes nicknamed Ceaușescu's Folly.
• Romanian army engineers built the road in about four and a half years.
• The climb to Bâlea Lake has been used by professional cycling races.

9. Going-to-the-Sun Road (United States)

History

Going-to-the-Sun Road was one of the first National Park Service projects designed specifically for motor tourists. Construction began in 1921, and landscape architects pushed for an alignment along the Garden Wall that used fewer switchbacks and blended into the mountainside. The road was completed in 1932 and dedicated in July 1933.

It was the first road to be listed as a National Historic Place, a National Historic Landmark and a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Its alpine section must be cleared of deep snow every spring, so the full route often opens only in late June; in 2026 it opened end to end on 22 June.

What Makes It Beautiful

• Lake McDonald, the park's largest lake, lines the western approach with clear water and coloured stones.
• The road clings to the Garden Wall, a knife-edge ridge with waterfalls spilling across the pavement.
• Logan Pass offers alpine meadows, wildflowers and frequent mountain goat sightings.
• St. Mary Lake on the eastern side sits beneath sharp peaks and Wild Goose Island.

Driving Tips

Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, so large RVs must use the park shuttle or another route. No vehicle reservation was needed in 2026, but Logan Pass parking had a three-hour limit from July to early September. Start early in the day, as parking at the pass fills quickly in summer.

Interesting Facts

• The road is named after Going-to-the-Sun Mountain, visible beyond Logan Pass.
• The National Historic Landmark nomination measures it at 48.7 miles.
• Before the road, crossing the park's central area took several days.
• In 2026 the park piloted a ticketed express shuttle to Logan Pass.

10. Chapman's Peak Drive (South Africa)

History

Construction of the drive started in 1915, using convict labour, and work began from both the Hout Bay and Noordhoek ends. The first section to the lookout opened in 1919, and the full road opened to traffic on 6 May 1922 after seven years of work. It was regarded as a major engineering achievement because it was cut into a near-vertical mountain face.

Rockfalls forced long closures in later decades. After major rehabilitation with new rockfall protection, the drive reopened in 2003 as a toll road run under a 30-year public-private concession, and it celebrated its centenary in May 2022.

What Makes It Beautiful

• The road traces a ledge between granite sea cliffs and the sandstone layers of the mountain above.
• Views sweep across Hout Bay to The Sentinel peak in one direction and along Noordhoek's long beach in the other.
• Picnic areas and many pull-offs allow safe stops for photographs.
• Sunsets over the Atlantic turn the cliffs orange and gold.

Driving Tips

Pay the toll at the plaza near Hout Bay; frequent users can register for discounts. The road may close at short notice in high winds, heavy rain or fire risk, so check the operator's updates before you set out. Combine the drive with a visit to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope further south for a full peninsula day.

Interesting Facts

• Chapman's Peak is named after John Chapman, a ship's pilot sent ashore in Hout Bay in 1607.
• The original road cost about 20,000 pounds to build.
• The meeting of granite and sandstone along the road is a famous geological contact studied by earth scientists.
• The drive features on the routes of major Cape Town cycling and running events.

Honourable Mentions

Several other roads came close and are well worth a detour.

• Trollstigen, Norway: eleven hairpin bends climb a steep valley wall on the Geiranger to Trollstigen tourist route; it closes in winter.
• Ring Road (Route 1), Iceland: a full loop of the island past volcanoes, black-sand beaches and waterfalls, better suited to a week than a day.
• Overseas Highway, Florida: a chain of bridges hopping across the Florida Keys to Key West, including the Seven Mile Bridge.
• Sea-to-Sky Highway, Canada: Highway 99 from Vancouver to Whistler along Howe Sound.
• Ruta 40, Argentina: an epic north-south route along the Andes, partly unpaved and best treated as an expedition.
• Cabot Trail, Canada: a loop around Cape Breton Island that is especially colourful in autumn.

Comparison: Length, Season and Best For

Planning a Scenic Road Trip

Beautiful roads reward travellers who plan around light, seasons and crowds rather than simply ticking off distance. A few principles apply to almost every route on this list.

• Check opening dates first. Alpine routes such as the Grossglockner, Transfăgărășan and Going-to-the-Sun Road are closed for months each year, and even opening dates shift with snowfall.
• Book accommodation early on short-season routes, especially within national parks, where lodges and campgrounds fill quickly.
• Budget for permits and tolls: a Parks Canada pass is required on the Icefields Parkway, the Grossglockner and Chapman's Peak charge tolls, and U.S. national parks charge entry fees.
• Drive in the direction that keeps the view on your side of the car whenever possible, and leave time for unplanned stops.
• Consider renting a smaller car on narrow roads such as the Amalfi Coast, where large vehicles struggle on tight bends.
• Download offline maps; several roads, including the Icefields Parkway and Milford Road, have little or no mobile coverage.

Travelling cheaply makes it easier to stretch a road trip by a few extra days. Finepedia's guide to ways smart travelers save money abroad covers fuel, rental and accommodation savings, and independent drivers may like the best destinations for a solo traveler.

Road Safety on Scenic Routes

The features that make these roads spectacular, including cliffs, hairpins, changeable weather and wildlife, also demand attention. Distraction is the biggest risk: drivers looking at the view rather than the road.

• Never stop on the carriageway or on a bend for a photograph; use signed viewpoints and pull-offs.
• Let faster local traffic pass, especially on Big Sur, the Amalfi Coast and Milford Road.
• Use a low gear on long descents such as the Grossglockner and Transfăgărășan to avoid overheating brakes.
• Watch for cyclists, motorcyclists and wildlife on blind corners.
• Carry warm clothing, water and snacks on alpine and remote routes, where conditions can change within an hour.
• Respect closures, avalanche zones and time restrictions; they exist because rockfalls, snow and slides are real hazards.
• Take breaks on long drives; fatigue builds quickly on winding roads that need constant steering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most beautiful highway in the world?

There is no official winner, but in Finepedia's 2026 scoring Australia's Great Ocean Road ranks first for its combination of coastal scenery, historic story and year-round access. Norway's Atlantic Ocean Road scored the same total and placed second only because the tie was broken on scenery.

Which beautiful highways can be driven all year?

The Great Ocean Road, Atlantic Ocean Road, Amalfi Coast Road and Chapman's Peak Drive are generally open year-round, though storms can cause temporary closures. Big Sur and Milford Road are also open in winter, but rain, slides, snow or avalanche control may close them at short notice.

Is Highway 1 through Big Sur open in 2026?

Yes. Caltrans reopened the section at Regent's Slide on 14 January 2026, restoring through travel between Carmel and Cambria for the first time in almost three years. A brief storm closure followed, and the road reopened on 20 February 2026; short closures for debris clearing remain possible after heavy rain.

Do I need to pay to drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road?

Yes. The Grossglockner is a toll road. In 2026 a day ticket for a car costs 46.50 euros, electric and hydrogen cars pay less, and reduced prices apply in the late season. The road is open from early May to early November and closes in winter because of heavy snow.

When is the Transfăgărășan open?

The high section between Bâlea Cascadă and Piscu Negru usually opens in June or early July and closes for winter between late October and November, depending on snow. In 2026 it reopened on 12 June, with traffic permitted only from 07:00 to 21:00.

Do I need a pass for the Icefields Parkway?

Yes. A valid Parks Canada national park pass is required to drive the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper. Fees help fund snow clearing, sanding and avalanche control, and passes can be bought at park gates or online before you travel.

Can large RVs drive Going-to-the-Sun Road?

Not the whole route. Vehicles or combinations over 21 feet long or 8 feet wide are banned between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, which includes Logan Pass. Owners of larger vehicles can park and use the park shuttle or drive the lower sections only.

Conclusion

As of October 2026, the most beautiful highways in the world share a few traits: an unforgettable landscape, engineering that respects it, and a story that explains why the road was built. The Great Ocean Road and the Atlantic Ocean Road lead this ranking, with Big Sur's restored coastline, the glacier-lined Icefields Parkway and the hairpins of the Grossglockner close behind. The Amalfi Coast, Milford Road, Transfăgărășan, Going-to-the-Sun Road and Chapman's Peak Drive complete a list that covers ocean, alpine and fjord scenery. Seasons, tolls and closure rules change, so check the official road authority before setting out, drive slowly, and give each route the time it deserves.