Herd Lake Road

Herd Lake Road

Usa, north-america

Length

23.01 km

Elevation

2,778 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Herd Lake Road in Custer County, Idaho is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive — we're talking a climb up to a whopping 9,114 feet!

Fair warning: this road is gravel, so leave the big RV at home. A 4x4 is definitely your best bet, as the trail can get pretty steep. Starting off of East Fork Road (Forest Road 120), you're in for a 14.3-mile trek with 14 hairpin turns to keep you on your toes.

But hey, it's not just about the challenge! The views are insane. Just imagine yourself winding through the mountains, breathing in that crisp Idaho air. Trust me, the rugged scenery and feeling of accomplishment when you reach the top makes it all worthwhile!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
23.01 km
Max Elevation
2,778 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

White Pine Passhard

White Pine Pass

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! White Pine Pass in Colorado's Roosevelt National Forest is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking about West White Pine Road (#100), a seriously rugged gravel and rocky track that climbs to a dizzying 9,593 feet. Think of it as nature's obstacle course – steep climbs and tricky sections are par for the course. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential! Oh, and if heights make you queasy, maybe sit this one out. The views are epic, no doubt, but you'll be clinging to the edge for most of the journey. Just a heads-up: winter turns this pass into an impassable, snowy wonderland.

Blue Lakesmoderate

Blue Lakes

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, listen up! I've got a gem for you: Blue Lakes in Summit County, Colorado! We're talking serious altitude here - 11,722 feet! You'll cruise along Blue Lakes Road (Forest Road #850), which is mostly gravel. A high-clearance vehicle is your best bet, but if it’s dry, even a 2WD can handle it if you take it slow and steady. Just picture long, straight stretches of road cutting through incredible scenery. Heads up though: this road's usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly! Once you arrive, there’s a big parking area near the dam. Trust me, the views are worth the bumpy ride!

Kancamagus Highway is a scenic drive in New Hampshire during the fall foliage seasonmoderate

Kancamagus Highway is a scenic drive in New Hampshire during the fall foliage season

🇺🇸 Usa

Get ready for the Kancamagus Highway, a seriously stunning drive in New Hampshire's Grafton County! Locals just call it "The Kanc,” and trust me, it lives up to the hype, especially when those fall colors start popping. Named after Chief Kancamagus from way back in the 1600s, this 35-mile stretch of Route 112 winds its way through the White Mountain National Forest between Lincoln and Conway. It's an easy shot off I-93 or Route 16, making it super accessible. The road can get a bit steep in places, with gradients hitting 7% as you navigate some hairpin turns on your way to Kancamagus Pass – the highest point on the drive. It’s tempting to gawk at the incredible scenery, but keep your eyes on the road! Also, watch out for wildlife – deer and moose love to hang out nearby. Allow about an hour to drive it straight through, but realistically, you'll want at least three to soak it all in. You’ll be climbing to 2,867 feet above sea level, and the views are insane. Pull over to check out the spot where the watersheds divide, with rivers flowing east to the Saco and west to the Pemigewasset. There are no services, just pure, unadulterated nature. Be prepared for some serious traffic during peak leaf-peeping season! While the Kanc is generally open year-round, winter brings heavy snow, so check conditions before you go. Closures are possible, but the road is well-maintained, offering tons of winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing.

When was the Cherohala Skyway built?moderate

When was the Cherohala Skyway built?

🇺🇸 Usa

Cruising between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Cherohala Skyway is one of the most stunning drives you'll find anywhere. This fully paved beauty stretches for about 52 miles (83km), linking Tellico Plains, TN, to Robbinsville, NC, as TN-165 and NC-143. It took a whopping 34 years to build, finally opening in 1996! The name? A mashup of the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests it slices through. Be prepared for some serious elevation! You'll climb to around 5,400 feet (1,600m) near the state line at Santeetlah Overlook, near Haw Knob. Even in summer, the weather can throw you curveballs – think dense fog, thick clouds, and chilly temps. Layer up! This mile-high route offers an unforgettable experience. It's a hidden gem with breathtaking overlooks around every bend. Motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts love it for the long, sweeping corners. Just be aware that it can feel isolated at night and turn treacherous in winter. The two-lane road has wide shoulders and plenty of scenic overlooks (15!), so you can pull over and soak in the views. Give yourself two to three hours to drive it without stops, but honestly, you’ll want to take longer. Nestled amidst hardwood and evergreen forests, this easy drive delivers incredible mountain vistas, vibrant foliage, and cascading waterfalls. It’s a perfect taste of the southern Appalachian Mountains at their finest. Don’t forget your camera!