By Dean Slavnich
Tucked away high in the Italian Alps but only some 200 metres from the Swiss border is the Stelvio Pass, a road that the Austrian Empire dreamt up in 1825. This 15-mile route literally wraps itself around the mountains like spaghetti, serving up 48 severe hairpins in contrast to the scenic and calming Italian countryside backdrop.
Khardung La, India
Fast becoming a motoring rite of passage since it was opened to vehicles in 1988, the Khardung La remains one of the rawest and most stripped back driving experiences in the world. Located just over 5300 metres high, in the dense mountains of the Ladakh region, the La, in typical India fashion, has it all: From tuk-tuks and chugging motorbikes, to large animals, breathtaking views and the ice cool Siachen Glacier.
Transfagarasan highway, Romania
Originally constructed in the early 1970s during Nicolae Ceausecu’s communist grip on Romania, the Transfagarasan highway is 60 miles of tarmac steeped in political history. Yet it’s also very much a driver’s or rider’s paradise, encompassing bridges, tunnels and viaducts. A particular highlight is the tranquil Balea Lake and the furious but beautiful Balea Waterfall.
Trollstigen Mountain Road, Norway
Some say this is the most dynamic road journey in all of Scandinavia. With a steep incline of nine-percent and 11 pulsating hairpins sweeping up the mountainside, it’s hard to disagree. And the reward for beating the Trollstigen pass, or the troll’s ladder as it’s also known? An absolutely spectacular view of the Stigfossen Waterfall as it plunges into the evergreen Isterdalen Valley.
The Guoliang Tunnel, China
A tunnel might be an odd choice for a secret hotspot, but this is no ordinary pass. Tucked away in the Henan Province of China, this 0.75m awe-inspiring route that overlooks the valley beneath was constructed by farmers in the 1970s using just explosives and basic digging equipment. The primitive tunnel twists and turns within the Taihang Mountains – there are no barriers here, so the views are breathtaking, humbling, and at times terrifying.
Karakoram Highway, China / Pakistan
Also known as the Friendship Highway, this is the highest paved road in the world, joining China to Pakistan via the Karakoram mountain range and the Khunjerab Pass. Nestled high into the clouds, the highway took two decades to build with work being completed in 1979. This route is challenging, unforgiving and even prone to landslides, but it’s visually unrivalled and boasts wonderful mountain views, glaciers, petroglyphs and the ancient Silk Road.
