Top 10 Scenic Drives Through the World

The scenery along the Peak to Peak Highway never disappoints, no matter what time of year the drive is taken. Massive rocks, bubbling streams, deserted gold mines, ghost towns, canyons, exotic high-altitude flowers, elk and moose are sure to fill the senses and keep the camera lens busy.

The highway is bordered by both the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and the Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, if you're so inclined, there are many activities to be enjoyed. The journey along Highway 119 offers opportunities to hike, camp, backpack, rock climb, fish, and panning for gold.

The Peak to Peak Highway, a National Forest Scenic By-Way, offers unmatched beauty along sixty-three miles between Clear Creek Canyon (Central City) and Estes Park. Getting to Highway 119 is easy from Interstate 70 or Highways 34 or 36.

There are numerous overlooks and and places to stay. Some good resources can be found at http://www.centralcitycolorado.com/ and

http://www.estes-park.com/lodging/

2. The Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

Whatever you are looking for or expecting from a scenic drive, the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado, is awe inspiring and sure to please. The highway swirls through the San Juan Mountains, among the wildest mountain peaks in the Colorado Rockies.

This highway stretches along 25 miles, following US 550, between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. At many points over 10,000 feet in elevation, you'll feel as if you are on the top of the world. The drive through the gorge is challenging and dangerous, with steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and no guardrails! Red Mountain Pass has numerous "S" curves while rising to and descending from steep elevations.

Considering the lack of guardrails, sharp "S" curves, and steep grades, encounters with RV vehicles can be exciting and dangerous. Weather can change from warm to cold very quickly in these high elevations. Summers are short-lived and the snow season begins in early October and can remain into the later part of May.

The Million Dollar Highway is a narrow two-lane mountainous highway, just one of only two north-south Colorado highways running west of the Continental Divide. The other route is US 491 which travels north through the San Juan Mountains.

Overlooks along the highway provide views of magnificent scenery. Lodging is available in Durango and Silverton. Some good sources for lodging and eateries can be found at http://www.durango.com and http://www.silvertoncolorado.com.

3. The Outer Banks of North Carolina

Coastal heritages and natural landscapes make the historic two-lane highway from Nags Head, Cape Hatteras, and Cape Lookout perfect opportunities to explore and see the beauty of these barrier islands.

In addition to swimming, boating, shopping, and hiking activities, there are two national wildlife refuges and four historic lighthouses that are open to the public.

Restaurants offer delicious fresh seafood delicacies, and many are seated near the breaking waves of the ocean's edge. The Outer Banks have incomparable views of natural land and seascapes, beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Good travel and lodging information can be found at http://www.outerbanks.org.

4. Santa Fe, New Mexico

For 30 years, Santa Fe has been among the chic-est travel destinations, and regularly voted as the most popular city by elite travelers. It is one of America's oldest and most beautiful cities, founded ten years before the Pilgrims reached Plymouth Rock! Santa Fe is nestled on a high plateau at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Adobe houses and Spanish architecture is plentiful in this capital-city of New Mexico. Local restaurants offer delicious, handmade Mexican food. Numerous art galleries and apparel shops reside in Santa Fe. Local Indian tribes display and sell handcrafted jewelry, pottery, woven blankets, and artwork in the downtown square. Depending on the time of year, hiking, skiing and picnicking activities can be enjoyed.

Santa Fe is 385 miles south of Denver, along Interstate 25. US Highway 285 intersects with I-25 on the east side of Santa Fe. Albuquerque is about 60 miles from Santa Fe, and Highway 14, known as The Turquoise Trail, is a scenic alternate route to Albuquerque

Additional information about Santa Fe dining and lodging can be found at http://www.visitsantafe.com.

5. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

There are thousands of islands located off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver Island is popular because of its unbeatable ocean scenery, rain forests, culture and wildlife. The area offers ideal wilderness vacation opportunities, including hiking, skiing, and boating adventures, or relaxing at the many locally owned establishments.

The Butchart Gardens offer 50 acres of spectacular floral displays along the meandering paths and expansive lawns. The gardens landscape changes from bright summer flowers, golden autumn displays, to magical holiday decorations. Sunken gardens and exquisite rose gardens also adorn the 50-acre showplace.

Sidney-by-the Sea is another delightful and friendly town nearby. Sidney is a thriving community and the gateway to the British Columbia Gulf Islands. It is the commercial hub of the Saanich Peninsula, sporting majestic views of the Pacific Ocean and Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges.

Visitors will find friendly ports with modern marinas, unique galleries, local gift stores, antique shops, restaurants, bakeries, and coffee bars. The English 'tea time' tradition is strictly followed in Sidney. At four o'clock sharp, people stop for a spot of tea!

Information about restaurants and lodging can be found at http://www.bctravel.com.

6. Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon was one of the first areas designated as a national park, by President Theodore Roosevelt. The Colorado River created the canyon over a timeframe of 5.4 million years. The Canyon is 277 miles long, ranges from 4 to 18 miles wide, and more than 6,000 feet deep.

The Grand Canyon has been referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. No matter how many postcards, pictures, or movie scenes you have been exposed to, the first view of this mighty gorge will hit with an unbelievable force. The Canyon's scale and topography is overwhelming and unimaginable. No one forgets their first encounter with the Grand Canyon, and no matter how many times you may visit, it is never the same.

There are many opportunities to get up close and intimate with this gorge in the skin of the United States. The Grand Canyon can be experienced by hiking down the rim, rafting through the bottom on the Colorado River, touching a 2 billion year old rock, horseback packing down the narrow steep trails of the Canyon, or flying among the jagged rock walls in a helicopter.

The Grand Canyon can be accessed from Arizona and Utah. The South Rim is near Interstate 40, outside of Flagstaff. The North Rim entrance is 30 miles south of Jacob Lake, on Highway 67.

There are many restaurants and fast-food facilities, especially at the South Rim, but expect prices to be unusually high. Useful information about dining and lodging in and around the Grand Canyon can be found at http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com.

7. Taos, New Mexico

The Taos lifestyle is unique and eclectic. Mixing art, past and present history and cultures make it like no other place. Taos is a blend of the Pueblo Indian, Spanish, and Anglo cultures.

Art is an essential element of this town, and is proudly displayed everywhere. Taos is surrounded by towering mountains, vast plains, and clear blue skies. Many artists have been awestruck by the quality of light that passes through the natural spaces.

The mesa at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, brings a magical quality to Taos. Majestic mountains and rugged beauty, along with the wild Rio Grande River, and the unique blend of cultures spark many galleries, museums and local festivals. The business district bustles with local artisans, traditional crafts, and some of the finest restaurants in New Mexico.

The colorful mountains offer many opportunities to ski, but the slopes are challenging and difficult, and are suitable only to the advanced skier. There's no rush-hour or rat race in Taos, and many visitors bulk want it comes time to depart from the tranquility and natural beauty of this town.

Taos is accessible from Interstate 25, and has a variety of lodging choices. In depth visitor information is can be found at http://www.vacationtaos.com.

8. Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado

The drive up Wolf Creek Pass is a long and steep climb, having an elevation of 10,857 feet. The mountain pass is on the Continental Divide, in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, via Interstate 70, and US Highway 160. Travelers can proceed into the San Luis Valley, and continue on to New Mexico and Arizona.

Wolf Creek Ski Area is located just below the top of the mountain, and is famous record snowfall amounts. A maximum of 807 inches were reported in 1978; the average annual snowfall along Wolf Creek Pass is about 444 inches.

The area is a skier's dream, and has more than 900 acres used for snow activities. Throughout summer months visitors can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, climbing, whitewater rafting, and the sweet smells of blooming hydrangeas.

Many fine steak houses and lodging places are available, provided at http://www.wolfcreekski.com.

Before setting out for a drive up Wolf Creek Pass, take the time to pack blankets, extra non-perishable food, flashlights, gloves, coats and other winter garb in the trunk. Weather conditions at these high altitudes are unpredictable and changeable. It's not uncommon for a snowstorm to plow through this area in the middle of July!

9. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

The parkway stretches for approximately 470 miles from the southern Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive, in Virginia, to US 441 at Oconaluftee, in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain, and there is no charge for using the highway.

Spectacular mountain and valley views, crystal clear waterfalls, and brilliant displays of flowers and indigenous foliage can be seen. In the springtime, lilacs, daffodils, and Dogwood trees decorate the green meadows and mountainsides. Early spring is just one example of the beauty this area offers. Autumn is exceptional as the hills sport bright colors of orange, red, yellow and greens. There are endless opportunities for photographers anytime of the year along this winding highway.

Many delightful eateries offer locally prepared food, and several bed and breakfast establishments can be found. A good source for information about the Blue Ridge Parkway is: http://www.virtualblueridge.com.

10. Glacier National Park, Montana

Three words can describe Glacier National Park; majestic, stunning, and wild. Because this is a glacier, many of the mountain peaks are covered with snow year round, and the soil never thaws.

Glacier National Park overwhelms visitors, not only by its size, but by its unsurpassed beauty. The Grizzly bear is the unofficial mascot around these parts. Mountain goats, wolves, and eagles can be seen around most any corner along the highway. Numerous cascading falls adorn the sides of the mountains, some spilling onto the roadway.

The pristine green emerald water of Lake McDonald is the first glimpse many visitors get of the majestic mountain views and lakes carved by ancient glaciers. Lake McDonald is the largest lake in the park, and the deepest, at 500 feet. The head of the lake is bordered by the Continental Divide.

Seeing the dramatic mountain scenery while traveling on the Going-to-the-Sun-Road is enjoyable and awe inspiring. But, taking time to truly experience the glacier's lakes, streams, ponds, and waterfalls is well worth the extra effort. Visitors can fish, kayak, boat, hike, bike, or explore lakes on tour boats. It takes more effort than just a drive-thru to really experience the beauty that is offered, as there is no equal to discovering the Glacier's soul.

A good resource to learn about dining and lodging facilities in the area is: http://www.glacierparkinc.com.

North America has unlimited bounties of beautiful scenery, and it's doubtful that anyone could ever see it in its entirety. We have been blessed, but the environment cannot sustain the destruction humans cause. All land, wildlife, and vegetation needs to be preserved and protected.