Road collection
Volcanic roads feel like another planet. Black rock, strange colours and often a summit far higher than you expect.
21 roads, ranked
1. 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.
2. Japan, Northern Alps
Japan's highest paved road climbs above 2700 metres on the Norikura volcano.
Hirayu to Tatamidaira, 14 km (8.7 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.7/10.
3. Reunion, Reunion
Four hundred and twenty corners and single lane tunnels into a volcanic crater town.
Saint Louis to Cilaos, 34 km (21.1 miles). Driving 9.4/10, scenery 9.4/10.
4. United States, Hawaii
Sea level to 3055 metres in 38 km, 29 switchbacks and a crater at the end.
Kula to Haleakala summit, 38 km (23.6 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.6/10.
5. Vietnam, Central Vietnam
Ocean cloud pass with stacked hairpins climbing above the South China Sea.
Da Nang to Lang Co, 21 km (13 miles). Driving 9.1/10, scenery 9.5/10.
6. 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.
7. Japan, Fukushima
A volcanic moonscape crossing with sulphur vents beside the tarmac.
Fukushima to Tsuchiyu, 29 km (18 miles). Driving 8.9/10, scenery 9.4/10.
8. Morocco, Jebel Saghro
A remote volcanic massif crossing of black rock spires and nomad camps.
Nkob to Boumalne Dades, 80 km (49.7 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.4/10.
9. Reunion, Reunion
Across the Plaine des Sables, a red lava desert that looks like Mars.
Bourg Murat to Pas de Bellecombe, 26 km (16.2 miles). Driving 8.7/10, scenery 9.7/10.
10. Japan, Kumamoto
Along the rim of the world's biggest caldera, grassland and long fast sweepers.
Ozu to Aso, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 9/10, scenery 9.3/10.
11. Japan, Nagano
A high grassland ridge road with volcano views and long open curves.
Chino to Utsukushigahara, 76 km (47.2 miles). Driving 8.8/10, scenery 9.3/10.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. France, Var, France
Red volcanic rock plunges into azure sea along this coastal corniche below the Esterel massif.
Saint-Raphael to Mandelieu-la-Napoule, 25 km (15.5 miles). Driving 8.4/10, scenery 9.3/10.
15. Iceland, Vesturland
Iceland in miniature, lava fields, black beaches and a glacier capped volcano.
Borgarnes to Grundarfjordur, 140 km (87 miles). Driving 8.2/10, scenery 9.6/10.
16. Ecuador, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo
A high valley road with snow cones standing over both shoulders the whole way.
Quito to Riobamba, 190 km (118.1 miles). Driving 8.1/10, scenery 9.5/10.
17. France, Cantal, France
A steep col cresting a green volcanic ridge with huge views over the Cantal massif.
Salers to Murat, 27 km (16.8 miles). Driving 8.3/10, scenery 9.1/10.
18. Turkey, Kayseri
A volcano flank road with long open bends above the Cappadocian plateau.
Kayseri to Develi, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 8.3/10, scenery 8.8/10.
19. Mexico, Morelos
Volcanic spires above a pine forest road that twists all the way to the valley floor.
Cuernavaca to Tepoztlan, 25 km (15.5 miles). Driving 8.3/10, scenery 8.8/10.
20. France, Puy-de-Dome, France
Volcanic puys unroll beneath this switchbacked crossing of the Auvergne's Chaine des Puys.
Chambon-sur-Lac to Orcines, 22 km (13.7 miles). Driving 8/10, scenery 8.9/10.
21. Hungary, Veszprem
Volcanic hills, vineyards and lake views along the good side of Balaton.
Balatonfured to Badacsony, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 7.8/10, scenery 8.6/10.
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