Top 10 scenic routes for every explorer
Prince Edward Island – North Cape Coastal Drive
Several points of interest exist in the area, among them the Canadian Potato Museum showcasing the largest potato sculpture in the world; the house/tavern/chapel made out of 25,000 recycled bottles in Cap-Egmont; and the West Point Lighthouse housing a museum and a four-star 13-room inn that makes a perfect place to break halfway.
Nova Scotia – Cabot Trail
While doable in a day we recommend taking at least two or three to fit in spots like the Uisge Bàn, where a cascading waterfall await hikers; the Parks Canada Lantern Walk guided by a representative who tells tales (and ghost stories) of early settlers; and the grave of the Unknown Sailor at White Point paying tribute to fishermen lost at sea.
Alberta – Icefields Parkway
Note: a valid day or annual national parks pass is required to drive the parkway and can be purchased from the government online or at select in-person locations listed on the website: www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission. Free for youth under 17 and new Canadian citizens.
British Columbia – Nanaimo to Tofino
Coombs Old Country Market is worth the five-minute detour where goats are often found munching happily on grass atop the roof, seemingly oblivious to the goings-on below. And for those interested in seeing what an 800-year-old, 75-metre-tall Douglas Fir tree looks like, be sure to drop by the Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park.
Tennessee/North Carolina – Tail of the Dragon
Another locale popular with the two and four-wheel crowd is the much-vaunted Tail of the Dragon. Less than 18 kilometres in total length, a whopping 318 curves are crammed into the section of US 129 between Chilhowee Lake in Tennessee and Deals Gap Mountain pass just across the North Carolina state line.
Visit Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort for a night’s stay, camping, to fill up gas or load up on snacks and memorabilia in the shop. Afterwards, check out the Cherohala Skyway approximately 58 kilometres away offering an amazing, elevated perspective of the entire region and plenty of places to park and admire the landscape.
Oregon – Historic River Highway
Not only is the HCRH the first paved road in the Pacific Northwest, but the first designated scenic highway in the U.S. Bordering the Columbia River Gorge, the canyon boasts sheer walls of basalt accented by ferns, rare endemic plants and is home to no less than five waterfalls: Latourell, Shepperd’s Dell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena and the 189-metre Multnomah.
Japan – Mount Haruna
The most famous is the Jomo-Sanzan Panorama Highway, containing all of the off-camber, gradient shifting hairpin turns and switchbacks depicted in the show. Pro tip: first timers should go during the day when visibility is greatest as there are many blind corners and certain points where the lane narrows down to a single car width.
Ireland – The Wild Atlantic Way
And here’s a fun fact for Star Wars lovers. Episode VII “The Force Awakens,” Episode VIII “The Last Jedi” and Episode IX “The Rise of Skywalker” were all partly filmed along Wild Atlantic Way at Loop Head, the Dingle Peninsula Skellig Michael Island off the coast of Kerry.
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