A road trip doesn’t have to be an epic adventure, it could mean a simple one day excursion to the beach or a cross country trip to see a friend. We’ve decided to choose what we think are the most exhilarating road trips anywhere in the world. It’s all about the freedoms of the open road, the evolving landscapes as the tarmac winds around mountains, over rivers, through deserts, along coastlines and the times spent with friends or loved ones.
It’s all about sharing times together, finding inspiration in each other and the wilderness or cityscapes that you cast your eye over will live with you forever. Lets begin our adventure in South Africa, on the winding and lethargic route 62.
Route 62 - South Africa
Route 62 covers a total of 748 kilometers, it makes its way along the most southern coastline of Africa and along the way there are plenty of stops to take in the outstanding and incredible natural environment which surrounds this astonishingly incredible part of the the world’s most diverse continent. The landscapes will engulf the car leave all who are travelling in awe from start to finish, you’ll be seriously spoilt for choice when on this road trip.
It’s best to adopt a shift driving routine along the route which stretches between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. There’s ample opportunity to stop at beautiful clifftops, rivers, valleys, plains and natural spas. The hot mineral spring and private Roman baths at Warmwaterberg Spa is the perfect place to relax after hours in the driving seat.
There’s also a number of exquisite wineries along the way, 65 to be exact. You could try and take them all in, but you’d have to devise a clever driving rota. If drinking isn’t your thing, The Klaasvoogds Game Reserve is littered with black wildebeest, leopard tortoise and plenty of Zebra.
The Ring Road - Iceland
The Icelandic Route 1 is also known as ‘The Ring Road’, or the ‘Magic Circle’, runs around the entire country and it passes by some of the island's most awe-inspiring and unvisited destinations. The 832 mile road takes you into the Sub-Arctic wilderness, below looming volcanoes, past thundering waterfalls, black and icy cliff faces and into complete and utter beautiful isolation.
You won’t see many other vehicles when on this journey, you can travel at your own pace and explore the majestic nature of the national parks, taking in glaciers and transversing over geothermal areas. The drive will take you through Reykjavik, up to hot springs, past the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, it’s quite the exhilarating journey you’d expect in this otherworldly landscape which at times looks like you’re the first to have ever set foot there.
The Alcan Highway - Canada
The Alcan Highway takes you through the sub-zero North American wilderness, it’s a 2,167 kilometers stretch of road which will have you dodging snowstorms, towering mountains, sparkling lakes, wild wolves and the odd grizzly bear if you’re luck. Well, it depends which way you look at it.
Hiking expeditions really are a must, you can take a trip to Muncho Lake and Liard River and the Liard River Hot Springs, or journey into the Watson Lake Sign Post Forest. Wherever you go though, you’ll be treated warmly (in contrast to the outside) by the locals, and you must try out the local delicacies as well, which differ from village to village.
The Ocean Road - Australia
They might be plenty of cars on this 253 kilometers drive, but that’s because it's a thrilling drive which throws up plenty of thrills and spills along the way. The mountains meet the ocean all the way, while there are rainforests alongside lighthouses and national parks that are home to a variety of exotic and unique wildlife.
If you park up and take a little detour, you’ll see anteaters, kangaroos, penguins, koalas and multi-coloured parrots. At the end of the drive, you’ll want to turn around and do it all again!
The incredible coastline, little towns, world beating surf and beautiful beaches are a match for anywhere on earth. The climax of the journey is the breathtaking Twelve Apostles, a collection of limestone stacks which tower 65 meters above sea level and offer superb views of the surrounding area.
You can turn any of these road trips into whatever sort of adventure you like, you might want to speed along (speed camera permitting) or you could take it leisurely, absorbing absolutely everything that these wonderfully diverse and unique landscapes throw at you.
From the Icy climes of Canada and Iceland to the warmer coastal routes in South Africa and Australia, this small but well formed collection of roads proves that there is certainly lots of variety across the world. Not that it was ever in doubt!
