Broken Arrow Trail
Usa, north-america
6.4 km
91 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Broken Arrow Trail in Arizona, straddling Coconino and Yavapai counties, is calling your name! Nestled within the Coconino National Forest, this 4-mile off-road rollercoaster to Chicken Point is a must-do for experienced drivers.
Expect gravel, rocks, and plenty of bumps along the way. You'll gain about 300 feet in elevation. SUVs with higher ground clearance are your best bet for conquering this trail.
The views are absolutely phenomenal – get ready for 360-degree vistas of the stunning Southwest wilderness. Every twist and turn is a photo op. Remember those classic Westerns? Some were even filmed here, including Jimmy Stewart’s "Broken Arrow"!
But don't be fooled by the scenery; this isn't a Sunday drive. This road is rough, and standard cars need not apply. A 4WD vehicle and some serious driving skills are required. Watch out for rock ledges, especially "The Measures," a steep obstacle that can be intimidating. Conditions are always changing. What might be smooth sailing one day could become a slippery, muddy mess after a little rain. Be prepared for anything!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 6.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 91 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
easyWhere is Bald Mountain Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Bald Mountain Pass in Utah is calling your name! This epic stretch of pavement, also known as State Route 150, is rumored to be the highest paved road in the entire state. Where do you find this gem? Straddling Summit and Duchesne counties in northeastern Utah, it's your gateway to the western Uinta Mountains. Clocking in at 77.2 miles (124.24km) from Kamas, Utah, all the way to Evanston, Wyoming, this road is a serious climb, topping out at a whopping 10,734 feet (3.272m) above sea level! Heads up: Mother Nature dictates the open season here. Typically, you can hit this road from Memorial Day weekend until early November, but keep an eye on the weather. Snow can linger *late*! But let me tell you, the views are SO worth it. Prepare for your jaw to drop as you ascend. The summit offers insane panoramic vistas. You'll get a crystal-clear shot of Mirror Lake and a bunch of other sparkling lakes dotted around the Uintas. And the mountain peaks? Majestic doesn't even begin to cover it. Bald Mountain Pass is THE overlook for the High Uintas – trust me, you want to see this!
easyOlympic Peninsula Loop Drive, an unbelievable adventure in Washington
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for the ultimate Pacific Northwest adventure: the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive! This scenic journey winds through western Washington, showcasing the state's incredible forests, wildlife, and natural beauty. The loop starts and ends in Seattle, taking you south around the Olympic Peninsula via US Highways 101 and 12, and Washington Highway 8. Clocking in at 329 miles (531 km), this paved route immerses you in the diverse ecosystems of the region. While you *could* technically drive the whole thing in 8 hours non-stop, you'll want at least three days (or more!) to truly soak it all in. Picture this: picturesque shoreline, cascading waterfalls, pristine lakes, stunning mountain vistas, and even a lush rainforest. Side adventures abound! Timing-wise, May and early June are prime for waterfall viewing, but be aware that higher elevations may still have snow, and beaches can be foggy. July to September brings drier weather and sunshine, but also more crowds. Fall is gorgeous with colorful foliage, and winter offers dramatic, wild beaches—just be prepared for rain. Trust me, this drive is worth it! The Olympic Peninsula Loop is pure road trip bliss.
hardMauna Loa in Hawaii: A Road Through Lava
🇺🇸 Usa
# The Epic Drive Up Mauna Loa Want to experience something truly otherworldly? Head to Hawai'i and tackle the Mauna Loa Scenic Drive—a wild 17-mile journey up one of the country's highest paved roads. Starting from Saddle Road at 2,001m, you'll climb 1,401 meters of elevation through a genuinely alien landscape of solidified lava to reach Mauna Loa Observatory at 3,402m (11,161ft). Built back in the 1950s, this narrow asphalt ribbon cuts through volcanic terrain that looks like the moon. "Mauna Loa" means "Long Mountain" in Hawaiian, and you'll understand why as you wind upward with an average 4.98% gradient. The road's rough, patchy surface features a white fog line down the middle—straddle it to avoid your tires on the jagged lava rocks lining the narrow shoulders. Fair warning: don't attempt this if you have heart or respiratory issues. The road gets serious about hazards with warning signs everywhere, and for good reason. It's basically a single lane with blind hills, tight turns, and zero forgiveness if visibility drops. Fill your gas tank before you go—there's nothing at the observatory. The rewards, though? On crystal-clear days, the views are absolutely stunning. You'll spot Mauna Kea, Kohala, Haleakala on Maui, and sometimes even other islands in the distance. The drive winds through Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with plenty of pullouts to stretch your legs and soak it in. Here's the catch: weather can turn on a dime. Fog, clouds, snow, rain, and whiteouts are all possibilities year-round. If conditions start deteriorating, bail out immediately—this road is genuinely dangerous in poor visibility. Winter can bring blizzards and high winds, temperatures drop below freezing at night always, and remember, this is an active volcano (last erupted in 1984). Most of the road is drivable in any 2WD vehicle, but plan your visit for the clearest day possible and respect this mountain's power.
moderateCarlsbad Caverns switchbacks in New Mexico: a 20 degree grade
🇺🇸 Usa
Nestled in the New Mexico's Eddy County, right where the Chihuahuan Desert kisses the Guadalupe Mountains, you'll find the entrance to something truly magical: the Carlsbad Caverns. And the way in? A series of switchbacks that are pedestrian-only, so lace up those hiking boots! You're heading into the heart of southeastern New Mexico, into the rocky slopes and canyonlands of the Guadalupe range. This isn't just any cave; we're talking about a labyrinth carved by sulfuric acid over millions of years, creating a network of caves, passageways, and chambers that will blow your mind. Prepare to descend into a world of geological wonder. The Big Room is the star of the show, a natural limestone chamber stretching almost 4,000 feet long, 625 feet wide, and soaring 255 feet high. It's the third-largest chamber in North America, filled with pools, lakes, and otherworldly gypsum formations. The path? A curvy, paved trail within Carlsbad Caverns National Park that winds its way into the cave's mouth. These switchbacks are no joke, they're steep! As you descend, the light fades, adding to the sense of adventure. It's about a mile and a quarter of these winding paths, taking you 750 feet below the surface at a pretty steady 20-degree grade. It's narrow, it's steep, but the views along the way (or lack thereof!) are unforgettable. Plus, park rangers are always around, making sure everyone enjoys the journey safely.