Road collection
Lake roads tend to flow. They follow the shoreline, so the corners are honest and the views open up with every bend.
30 roads, ranked
1. United States, Montana and Wyoming
Swaths of switchbacks climb to 3337 metres past alpine lakes and snowfields.
Red Lodge to Cooke City, 109 km (67.7 miles). Driving 9.4/10, scenery 9.9/10.
2. Italy, Lombardy, Italy
A narrow, unguarded ribbon past Lago Nero that feels wilder than its famous neighbour.
Bormio to Ponte di Legno, 31 km (19.3 miles). Driving 9.5/10, scenery 9.6/10.
3. Italy, Gran Paradiso
The road from the Italian Job, hairpins to a lake plateau at 2600 metres.
Ceresole Reale to Nivolet, 20 km (12.4 miles). Driving 9.3/10, scenery 9.8/10.
4. United Kingdom, Lake District, England
England's steepest road gradient, a brutal one in three climb over Roman ruins.
Boot to Eskdale Green, 5 km (3.1 miles). Driving 9.7/10, scenery 9.2/10.
5. United Kingdom, Wester Ross, Scotland
A lochside single track with views straight across to Skye and the Cuillins.
Applecross to Shieldaig, 25 km (15.5 miles). Driving 9.1/10, scenery 9.7/10.
6. Spain, Asturias, Spain
Hairpins climb from the Covadonga basilica into limestone peaks above two glacial lakes.
Cangas de Onis to Lago Enol, 24 km (14.9 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.8/10.
7. Germany, Bavarian Alps, Germany
Sweeping alpine curves link lake resorts on the way to the Austrian border.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Berchtesgaden, 150 km (93.2 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.7/10.
8. Canada, British Columbia
An empty mountain road of long climbs and glacial lakes beyond Whistler.
Pemberton to Lillooet, 99 km (61.5 miles). Driving 9.2/10, scenery 9.5/10.
9. Italy, Dolomites
War tunnels, a small lake and the Lagazuoi towers, quieter than its famous neighbours.
La Villa to Cortina d'Ampezzo, 33 km (20.5 miles). Driving 9.1/10, scenery 9.6/10.
10. United Kingdom, Sutherland, Scotland
A remote NC500 highlight of sea lochs, switchbacks and empty moorland roads.
Kylesku to Durness, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 8.9/10, scenery 9.7/10.
11. United Kingdom, Lake District, England
A steep slate quarry pass squeezed between towering fells above Buttermere.
Borrowdale to Buttermere, 6.5 km (4 miles). Driving 9.1/10, scenery 9.4/10.
12. Switzerland, Graubunden, Switzerland
Glaciers hang over the road as it threads past turquoise Lago Bianco to the Poschiavo valley.
Pontresina to Poschiavo, 33 km (20.5 miles). Driving 8.9/10, scenery 9.7/10.
13. Austria, Vorarlberg and Tyrol, Austria
Thirty four hairpins climb past the turquoise Silvretta reservoir to a glacier ringed summit.
Partenen to Galtur, 22 km (13.7 miles). Driving 9.1/10, scenery 9.5/10.
14. Ireland, Dingle Peninsula
Ireland's highest pass, a shelf road with lakes hanging above the Atlantic.
Dingle to Cloghane, 12 km (7.5 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.6/10.
15. Japan, Nikko
Forty eight lettered hairpins climb to Lake Chuzenji, one way in each direction.
Nikko to Chuzenji, 16 km (9.9 miles). Driving 9.2/10, scenery 9.4/10.
16. New Zealand, West Coast
Rainforest and waterfall canyon roads link the lakes to the wild West Coast.
Wanaka to Haast, 145 km (90.1 miles). Driving 8.9/10, scenery 9.6/10.
17. United States, Washington
Glacier peaks, turquoise reservoirs and long clean sweepers with almost no traffic.
Marblemount to Winthrop, 114 km (70.8 miles). Driving 8.8/10, scenery 9.7/10.
18. United States, California
Yosemite high country, granite domes and meadows, then a drop to Mono Lake.
Crane Flat to Lee Vining, 100 km (62.1 miles). Driving 8.7/10, scenery 9.8/10.
19. Switzerland, Bern and Valais, Switzerland
Granite reservoirs and stark rock walls line this dramatic climb from the Bernese Oberland.
Innertkirchen to Gletsch, 26 km (16.2 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.4/10.
20. Italy, Lombardy, Italy
A tunnel like gorge road carved into rock above Lake Garda, once called the world's best road.
Pieve di Tremosine to Lake Garda shore, 7 km (4.3 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.4/10.
21. France, Savoie and Isere, France
Turquoise lakes and jagged aiguilles frame this classic crossing of the Grandes Alpes.
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Allemond, 30 km (18.6 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.4/10.
22. United Kingdom, Lake District, England
Narrow single track linking Langdale to Duddon Valley over the ancient Three Shire Stone.
Little Langdale to Cockley Beck, 6.5 km (4 miles). Driving 9.2/10, scenery 9.1/10.
23. United Kingdom, North Pennines, England
A biker's classic with wide open views across the Eden Valley to the Lakeland fells.
Alston to Melmerby, 13 km (8.1 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.1/10.
24. Spain, Aragon Pyrenees, Spain
A long alpine valley run past reservoirs and ski towns to the French border ridge.
Sabinanigo to Portalet Pass, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 8.6/10, scenery 9.3/10.
25. Chile, Los Lagos
Volcano views over deep blue lakes with a smoking Osorno cone alongside.
Puerto Varas to Ensenada, 70 km (43.5 miles). Driving 8.5/10, scenery 9.4/10.
26. United Kingdom, Wester Ross, Scotland
A narrow, twisting sea loch road with constant views over to the Applecross hills.
Lochcarron to Shieldaig, 25 km (15.5 miles). Driving 8.5/10, scenery 9.3/10.
27. Norway, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
A scenic tourist route climbing past waterfalls and glacial lakes between two fjord towns.
Sogndal to Forde, 63 km (39.1 miles). Driving 8.4/10, scenery 9.4/10.
28. Turkey, Trabzon
A green gorge climb through tea terraces to an alpine lake in the Pontic mountains.
Of to Uzungol, 42 km (26.1 miles). Driving 8.6/10, scenery 9.2/10.
29. Croatia, Lika
Deserted forest curves through the Lika highlands towards the famous lakes.
Ogulin to Plitvice Lakes, 70 km (43.5 miles). Driving 8.6/10, scenery 9/10.
30. United Kingdom, Wester Ross, Scotland
A flowing highland road that skirts a spectacular hidden gorge and waterfall.
Ullapool to Braemore Junction, 19 km (11.8 miles). Driving 8.3/10, scenery 9/10.
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