Kendall Mountain

Kendall Mountain

Usa, north-america

Length

11.3 km

Elevation

3,981 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near Silverton, Colorado, and you've got a serious itch for a high-altitude thrill, County Road 33 (aka Kendall Mountain Road) is calling your name.

This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking seven miles of rugged, rocky unpaved road climbing up to a whopping 13,061 feet! Think serious drop-offs and a boulder-strewn path that will test your driving skills (and maybe your nerves). Beginner off-roaders, you might want to sit this one out.

You'll need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle for this adventure. And make sure your radiator is in tip-top shape, because it's a long, slow grind to the top. Expect a gravelly, bumpy surface and tight spots where passing is…unadvisable. Oh, and keep an eye on the weather – this high up, snow can shut things down from October to June, and even summer days can bring thick fog.

But if you're up for the challenge? The views are INSANE. Think panoramic vistas of Silverton, the legendary Route 550, and a sea of majestic peaks. At around 12,800 feet, most vehicles will need to park it, but a trail continues to the tippy-top. This road is a true test of your vehicle, your nerve, and your sense of adventure!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
11.3 km
Max Elevation
3,981 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Ski Santa Fe?easy

Where is Ski Santa Fe?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Let's talk about the legendary road to Ski Santa Fe in New Mexico! We're talking about one of the highest roads in the state, climbing up to a whopping 10,390 feet above sea level. You'll find this gem nestled in the Santa Fe National Forest, just north of Santa Fe. The whole drive is paved on New Mexico State Highway 475, also known as the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway. Trust me, this drive is gorgeous! Picture yourself winding through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with incredible views around every bend. You'll find plenty of spots to pull over for a picnic or just soak in the scenery. But the real magic happens in autumn, when the aspen trees explode with color! Starting in Santa Fe, the road stretches for about 16 miles. In that short distance, you'll climb over 3,400 feet in elevation. The road ascends quickly, making for an average gradient of around 4%. It’s a steady climb from the heart of Santa Fe up into the mountains and all the way to the slopes!

Driving the long White Rim Road in Canyonlands NPextreme

Driving the long White Rim Road in Canyonlands NP

🇺🇸 Usa

Get ready for an epic adventure on the White Rim Road, a legendary dirt track snaking through Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks! We're talking 100 miles of raw, untamed beauty carved into the White Rim benchlands, far below the iconic Island in the Sky mesa. Built back in the day during the hunt for uranium, this loop is a serious test for both you and your rig. A high-clearance 4x4 is a MUST. Think hairpin turns, steep climbs, and heart-stopping drop-offs – sometimes without any guardrails to save you! You'll tackle tricky sections like Murphy's Hogback and Hardscrabble Hill, so be ready for some white-knuckle moments. Weather can change things fast, and flash floods can make parts of the road impassable. This isn't a race! While you *could* technically blast through in 10-12 hours, you'd be missing out. Plan on at least 2-3 days to soak it all in. Trust me, you'll want to camp under those desert stars! The scenery? Absolutely mind-blowing. You'll be surrounded by panoramic views of the Colorado and Green Rivers, plus incredible rock formations like Musselman Arch and Washer Woman Arch. Spring and fall are the sweet spots for tackling this adventure. Just picture yourself cruising (slowly and carefully!) past iconic landmarks, breathing in that fresh desert air. * **Distance:** Around 100 miles * **Time:** 2-3 days is ideal * **Difficulty:** Moderate, for experienced drivers with the right vehicle * **Access:** You can jump on from Mineral Bottom Road or near the Island in the Sky Visitor Center. The White Rim Road is more than just a drive; it's an unforgettable experience that will leave you breathless. Just remember to pack plenty of water (at least a gallon per person per day!), be prepared for anything, and get ready for the ride of your life.

Where is Hawkins Peak?moderate

Where is Hawkins Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're north of Markleeville, California, smack-dab in the eastern part of the state, winding your way through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. You're on the hunt for Hawkins Peak, reaching a lofty 9,688 feet above sea level—one of the highest roads in California! This peak? It's named after some dude named Hawkins, the first white settler around these parts back in the 1850s. He was a squatter on a cattle ranch to the east. Pretty cool, huh? Heads up: the road to the summit is unpaved and rocky, so you’ll definitely want a 4x4 with some decent clearance for that final push. It's not super long, but it's a climb. We're talking a serious elevation gain, with an average gradient that hits a max of 17.8% in spots—hold on tight! But the real payoff? The views from the top are epic. You can soak in the snowy Sierra Nevada range and the vast high desert of Nevada. Just keep in mind, this road is totally impassable in the winter.

Magnetic Hill in Moncton: Canada’s Classic Gravity Illusioneasy

Magnetic Hill in Moncton: Canada’s Classic Gravity Illusion

🇨🇦 Canada

Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because Magnetic Hill in Moncton, New Brunswick, is a total mind-bender! People come from all over the globe to witness this gravity-defying phenomenon, and trust me, it’s worth the hype. You'll find this iconic spot just outside Moncton on Magnetic Hill Road. The landscape? Think gentle slopes, rolling hills, and just enough trees to mess with your perception of reality. Here's the deal: it’s an optical illusion. The road actually slopes *downhill*, but the surrounding terrain plays tricks on your eyes, making it look like you’re going *up*. Put your car in neutral, and prepare to be amazed as you seemingly roll uphill! The paved section, aka Magic Mountain Road, is only about a kilometer long. It's super smooth and well-kept, perfect for experiencing this weird and wonderful effect. Absolutely! Magnetic Hill is a full-blown tourist attraction. Think viewing spots, signs explaining the science (or lack thereof!), and even a zoo and amusement park nearby. It’s perfect for families, road trip enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a good head-scratcher. This place is legendary and has been featured in tons of travel shows and commercials. It’s the OG gravity hill, the one that sets the standard for all others.