North La Veta Pass is a challenging paved road of Colorado
Usa, north-america
77.24 km
2,869 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through southern Colorado? You absolutely HAVE to experience North La Veta Pass! Perched way up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at a cool 9,413 feet, this paved beauty (also known as New La Veta Pass) straddles Costilla and Huerfano counties.
Think of it as U.S. Highway 160's stylish upgrade – a smooth, two-lane highway that gracefully sidesteps the old, gnarlier La Veta Pass. It's now the main way through this part of the mountains.
This road stretches for about 48 miles, connecting Fort Garland to Walsenburg. The views? Seriously stunning! But be warned: those steep drop-offs on the side can be a little intense in daylight. Some say it's best to hit it at night, when the drama is hidden. Even though the road is well-maintained and avoids crazy sharp turns, you'll feel like you're adventuring in a place roads weren't really meant to be! It's located southeast of the Sangre de Cristo Pass.
Where is it?
North La Veta Pass is a challenging paved road of Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.4294, -99.3608
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 77.24 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,869 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 39.4294, -99.3608
Related Roads in north-america
extremeTrans-Taiga Road is a very remote drive in Canada
🇨🇦 Canada
Get ready for the ultimate off-the-grid adventure on the Trans-Taiga Road! This 666km (413-mile) wilderness trek in northern Quebec, Canada, connects the James Bay Road to the vast Caniapiscau Reservoir. Picture this: you, your car, and mile after mile of pure, untamed taiga. Starting at km 544 of the James Bay Road, this unpaved beauty runs east-west. We're talking about 582 km (362 miles) to the Brisay generating station, followed by another 84 km (52 miles) hugging the shoreline of the enormous Caniapiscau Reservoir. This is as far from civilization as you can get on wheels in North America. The speed limit varies, generally 80 km/h for the first stretch, then dropping to 70 km/h where the road narrows. Remember to be courteous and yield to oncoming vehicles. Forget about pit stops for snacks or souvenirs – there are zero towns along this route. The only signs of human life are the Hydro Quebec worker settlements, and those are off-limits to the public. The nearest town, Radisson, is a staggering 745 kilometers (463 mi) away! This road is open year-round, but brace yourself for extreme temperatures: bone-chilling -40°C in winter and scorching summer heat. While most cars can handle the gravel surface, the section from Brisay (km 582) to Caniapiscau (km 666) gets pretty gnarly, so a 4x4 is recommended. And seriously, invest in some decent tires! The gravel is super coarse, with large rocks scattered about. Keep an eye out and drive defensively. This isn't a family road trip, folks. Breakdowns out here can be a serious (and expensive) problem. Imagine needing new tires flown in – yikes! Originally built for access to Hydro-Québec's hydroelectric stations, this road is all about function over frills. Don't expect rest areas or campgrounds – they're few and far between, with nothing past km 203. This is a serious journey. Budget 12-15 hours of driving time. The landscape is mostly flat, with endless stretches of spruce and jack pine forest, bogs, rocks, and low hills. Keep your eyes peeled for birds and other wildlife.
hardWhere is the Madeline Island Ice Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Ever dreamed of driving on water? Seriously? Then buckle up (or maybe don't, more on that later!) for the Madeline Island Ice Road in Wisconsin. Located on Lake Superior, this isn't your average scenic byway. We're talking about a 3 km (1.9 mi) stretch of frozen lake connecting Bayfield to La Pointe on Madeline Island. It's a winter-only phenomenon that replaces the usual ferry, and supposedly even shows up on official state maps! This icy adventure isn't without its quirks. They mark the route with old Christmas trees, and the "road" is actually part of County Highway H. Sounds festive, right? But remember, this isn't a joyride. Speed limit is a crawl at 15 mph, and you need to keep a healthy distance from other cars. Now for the important stuff. Before you even think about hitting the ice, roll down your windows all the way and ditch the seatbelt. Why? Because if you break through (and the lake is seriously deep in spots, from 50 to 250 feet!), you'll need to bail out fast. The road can be slippery and unpredictable, and the conditions change rapidly. Keep an eye on weather updates before you go! The route will be marked with evergreen trees, so stick to the trail to keep your car above water!
hardHow challenging is the road to Nevado de Colima?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, thrill-seekers, let's talk about conquering Nevado de Colima in Jalisco, Mexico! This beast of a mountain tops out at nearly 13,100 feet, and the road to get there? Forget about it! We're talking seriously steep climbs – some spots hit a 12% gradient, so you NEED a 4x4 for this mission. The road kicks off from Carretera Estatal el Grullo-Ciudad Guzman and it's about 14.5 miles of pure, unadulterated challenge, racking up over 7,200 feet of elevation gain. Expect mainly gravel and rock – this ain't no Sunday drive. Picture this: you, your trusty 4x4, surrounded by insane Nevado de Colima National Park views, inching your way up what feels like a barely-there mule track. Seriously, it gets narrow and if it's been raining? Muddy and slippery are understatements. Be warned, tourist access is often limited to a gate around 11,500 feet, so those comm towers at the very top may remain out of reach! Built originally to service those towers, this route will test your mettle!
moderateWhere is Logan Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Montana, heading deep into Glacier National Park. You're on the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the highlight? Logan Pass! This incredible spot sits way up high at 6,646 feet, marking the highest point on the road as it snakes between Red Rock Point and Rising Sun. The road itself is totally paved, making for a smooth ride. But don't let that fool you – this is still a wild adventure! You'll be right on the Continental Divide, surrounded by some seriously stunning scenery. Keep in mind, though, this pass is only open for a few months, usually from late June to mid-October, due to crazy amounts of snow in the winter. Pro tip: Get there early! The parking lot at the top fills up fast. You'll want to snag a spot to check out the Logan Pass Visitor Center, where you can learn all about the unique plants and animals that call this high-altitude ecosystem home. Trust me, Logan Pass is a must-do for any road trip through Glacier National Park. The views alone are worth the drive!