Range Road 51A
Canada, north-america
32.2 km
2,005 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Range Road 51A in British Columbia is calling your name! Seriously, this is one of Canada's highest roads, snaking through the Highwood area of Kananaskis in the majestic Canadian Rockies.
This gravel road stretches for about 32 km, and is generally well maintained. Picture this: a winding route that will take your breath away, running north to south with insane views the entire time.
Word of caution: this isn't a Sunday drive for the faint of heart. You'll want to watch out for strong winds (especially in the afternoon!), and be prepared for crazy-fast weather changes. The road can get narrow in spots, with some seriously steep inclines, and it's not suitable for big trucks. Definitely leave the trailer at home!
Linking AB-40 and AB-532 E, this mountain road tops out at a whopping 2,005 meters (6,578 feet) above sea level at a spot aptly named "The Hump." Keep in mind, this beauty is typically closed from December to May, so plan your trip accordingly! Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery.
Where is it?
Range Road 51A is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 55.7075, -103.1045
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 32.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,005 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 55.7075, -103.1045
Related Roads in north-america
hardElk Park Pass
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through southwest Montana? You HAVE to check out Elk Park Pass! Perched at a cool 6,352 feet, this beauty straddles the Silver Bow/Jefferson county line. The road itself? Smooth sailing on good ol' Interstate 15. Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, it's generally open year-round, though Mother Nature might throw a little snow-day closure your way in the winter. You'll find this pass conveniently located between Butte and Elk Park. Get ready for some epic views!
hardCave Lake
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Cave Lake in south-central Colorado’s Chaffee County is calling your name. This ain't your Sunday drive. We're talking a real deal high-altitude experience, topping out at a whopping 12,181 feet! Seriously, this is one of the highest roads in the entire state. Picture this: rocky, gravel roads winding through the majestic Rocky Mountains. You'll definitely need a 4x4 to conquer this beast. Trust me, you don't want to get stuck. And speaking of beasts, winter makes this road completely impassable, so plan accordingly. Now, for the faint of heart, be warned: this trail is steep! Expect hairpin turns that will test your driving skills (and maybe your nerves). Oh, and heights? Yeah, they're a thing here. But the views? Totally worth it. And if you're feeling extra adventurous, keep going past the lake—a gravel road will take you even higher, up to 12,765 feet. Just a heads up: the wind can be fierce up here, year-round. And even in summer, snow isn’t out of the question. Bottom line: Cave Lake is an epic adventure for experienced drivers who aren't afraid of a little challenge!
moderateTravel guide to Corkscrew Pass in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright adventure-seekers, buckle up for Corkscrew Pass! This wild ride is perched way up high in Colorado's San Juan County, clocking in at a breathtaking 12,244 feet above sea level. We're talking serious altitude! You'll find this gem tucked within the Uncompahgre National Forest in southwestern Colorado. This route began as a rough-and-tumble trail back in the 1880s, designed to connect Silverton with the bustling mining towns around Red Mountain. The 5-mile Corkscrew Gulch Trail (aka County Road 20A and 11) is a proper off-road experience. Expect steep climbs, unpaved surfaces, and hairpin switchbacks that'll test your nerve. When it's dry, it's a fun challenge, but watch out when it's wet! The clay soil turns super slippery. While most of the road is wide and well-graded, those upper switchbacks can be a bit tight. And heads up: a wrong move could send you tumbling down a 500-foot cliff! Trust me, you'll want a short-wheelbase 4x4 with high clearance for this one. Keep in mind, this beauty is usually snowed in from November to June. Running west-southeast from the Million Dollar Highway to County Road 10, this trail carves right through the heart of historic mining country. The awesome thing about Corkscrew is that you can usually see the road ahead, which is great for anticipating oncoming traffic. Watch out for logging trucks at the lower end of the trail. The views from the top are absolutely unreal! You get an incredible bird's-eye view of Como Lake. This route is known for its amazing scenery and photo ops, plus you'll see tons of flora and fauna. Definitely bring a camera and extra batteries because you will want to document EVERYTHING. Fall is particularly gorgeous, overlooking the aspen trees in the Ironton valley. It's a popular spot, so expect to share the road with other adventurers!
extremeFrom Gravel to Asphalt: A Game-Changer
🇨🇦 Canada
The Trans-Labrador Highway (TLH): still a wild ride in eastern Canada! This legendary route slices through Newfoundland and Labrador, and after years of anticipation, it's finally fully paved as of 2022. But don't think this is just another smooth road trip – this is where luxury meets raw wilderness. Clocking in at 1,149 km (714 miles) from the Québec border (near Labrador City) to the Atlantic coast at the Strait of Belle Isle, the TLH is seriously remote. You could drive for hours without spotting another soul! **Road Facts:** Trans-Labrador Highway (Route 500 & 510) * **Paved:** Yep, all done as of July 2022! * **High Stakes:** Wildlife, remoteness, and crazy weather are all part of the adventure. **From Gravel to Glory (Almost):** Remember those bone-jarring gravel days? Gone! The final paving at Cartwright Junction was a game-changer, linking Route 500 and Route 510. Still, that remoteness? Very real. Paving = faster speeds, but that also means you need to be extra alert for wildlife. **Challenges on the Loneliest Road:** Think the pavement means easy street? Think again! The dangers have just… evolved: * **Moose & Caribou:** Labrador's packed with them! A collision at highway speed in the middle of nowhere? Not good. * **Zero Bars:** Forget Insta stories. Satellite phones are still clutch. Emergency kits? Mandatory. * **Fuel is Life:** Huge gaps between towns, so NEVER skip a gas station. Top it up! * **Shoulder Danger:** Veer off the pavement and it's a quick trip to rolling your car thanks to the steep embankments. **Winter is a Whole Other Beast:** The TLH stays open year-round, but winter is INTENSE. Think reduced services, weather that changes on a dime, and potential road closures lasting over a week. Ice? On steep grades? Yeah. Pack ALL the survival gear, extra food, blankets, and a shovel. **Best Time to Go:** Mid-June to mid-September is the sweet spot. Summer solstice (June 21) means mega-long days for covering ground. Just brace yourself for the black fly and mosquito swarm in June! September means shorter days and the possibility of early snow. **The Ultimate Wilderness Vibe:** Driving the Trans-Labrador Highway is pure freedom. Think pristine forests, shimmering glacial lakes, and isolated villages barely connected to the outside world. It's a final frontier for road trippers – a paved path through seriously untouched North America. **Must-Have Gear:** Paved doesn't mean you can go soft! The shoulders are still gravel, and drifting off the pavement can ruin your day. * **Full-Size Spare & Plug Kit:** Sharp rocks + roadside stops = potential punctures. * **Gas, Gas, Gas:** Distances are still HUGE. * **Moose Bumper (or Extreme Caution):** Locals use 'em. Otherwise, skip driving at night when the moose are out. * **Satellite Messenger:** Still vital since cell service is MIA.