Road collection
Island roads are short, varied and usually quiet once the day trippers have gone. Book the ferry early in summer.
20 roads, ranked
1. France, Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France
Impossibly narrow ledge road through blood red granite pinnacles above the Gulf of Porto.
Porto to Piana, 12 km (7.5 miles). Driving 9.3/10, scenery 9.9/10.
2. Spain, Mallorca, Spain
A driver's icon that loops through a knotted 270 degree hairpin down to the cove.
Coll dels Reis to Sa Calobra, 12 km (7.5 miles). Driving 9.5/10, scenery 9.7/10.
3. Spain, Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca's spine road strings together sea cliffs, terraces and mountain villages.
Andratx to Pollenca, 75 km (46.6 miles). Driving 9.3/10, scenery 9.6/10.
4. Spain, Tenerife, Canary Islands
Volcanic moonscape unfolds as the road spirals up past pine forest into Teide's caldera.
La Orotava to Vilaflor, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.8/10.
5. Croatia, Dalmatian Coast
The Magistrala hugs bare karst cliffs above island studded blue water for hours.
Senj to Zadar, 180 km (111.8 miles). Driving 9.1/10, scenery 9.6/10.
6. United Kingdom, Isle of Skye, Scotland
A high single track skirting the surreal landslipped pinnacles of the Trotternish ridge.
Staffin to Uig, 13 km (8.1 miles). Driving 8.7/10, scenery 9.9/10.
7. France, Haute-Corse, Corsica, France
A narrow gorge road blasted into red granite walls, the gateway to Corsica's high interior.
Corte to Calacuccia, 25 km (15.5 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.5/10.
8. France, Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France
Needle like granite spires tower over this pass linking Corsica's interior to the east coast.
Zonza to Solenzara, 38 km (23.6 miles). Driving 8.9/10, scenery 9.7/10.
9. Taiwan, Hualien
Marble walls close overhead as the road tunnels along a turquoise river.
Taroko to Tianxiang, 19 km (11.8 miles). Driving 8.8/10, scenery 9.7/10.
10. Spain, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Ridge top curves reveal the volcanic finger of Roque Nublo above pine covered barrancos.
Tejeda to San Bartolome de Tirajana, 22 km (13.7 miles). Driving 8.8/10, scenery 9.5/10.
11. Portugal, Madeira, Portugal
Laurel forest tunnels and sheer drops make this ridge road one of Madeira's most thrilling.
Ribeiro Frio to Portela, 15 km (9.3 miles). Driving 8.6/10, scenery 9.6/10.
12. Portugal, Madeira, Portugal
A short dramatic ascent above the clouds to Madeira's third highest peak.
Funchal outskirts to Pico do Arieiro, 11 km (6.8 miles). Driving 8.4/10, scenery 9.7/10.
13. Spain, La Palma, Canary Islands
A ridge road along the volcanic spine of La Palma with views to both Atlantic coasts.
El Paso to Fuencaliente, 28 km (17.4 miles). Driving 8.6/10, scenery 9.3/10.
14. Ireland, Connemara
A narrow loop climbing over headland above the drowned islands of Connemara.
Clifden to Kingstown, 16 km (9.9 miles). Driving 8.4/10, scenery 9.4/10.
15. Ireland, Dingle Peninsula
Cliff edge tarmac facing the Blasket Islands and the open Atlantic.
Dingle to Ballyferriter, 30 km (18.6 miles). Driving 8.3/10, scenery 9.5/10.
16. France, Haute-Corse, Corsica, France
A tight riverside track climbing into a glacial valley beneath jagged Corsican granite peaks.
Corte to Bergeries de Grotelle, 16 km (9.9 miles). Driving 8.2/10, scenery 9.4/10.
17. Cyprus, Troodos
Cedar and pine hairpins from the sea to the highest point on the island.
Limassol to Troodos, 47 km (29.2 miles). Driving 8.7/10, scenery 8.9/10.
18. Japan, Seto Inland Sea
Island hopping on great white suspension bridges across the Inland Sea.
Onomichi to Imabari, 60 km (37.3 miles). Driving 8/10, scenery 9.4/10.
19. United States, Florida
Forty two bridges hopping island to island with turquoise water on both sides.
Key Largo to Key West, 180 km (111.8 miles). Driving 7.7/10, scenery 9.4/10.
20. Netherlands, Zeeland, Netherlands
A long flowing dyke top route crosses the storm barrier between islands and open sea.
Vrouwenpolder to Ouddorp, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 7.2/10, scenery 8.2/10.
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