Where is the Semenawi Bahri Tollway?
Eritrea, africa
65.3 km
2,570 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising the Semenawi Bahri Tollway is like diving headfirst into Eritrea's wild side! This road snakes right through Semenawi Bahri National Park, so keep your eyes peeled for leopards, bushbucks, and maybe even a warthog!
You'll climb high into the mountains – topping out at around 8,431 feet – and carve your way through lush forests. Because the area gets two rainy seasons, everything stays vibrantly green. On misty days, you might even find yourself driving *into* the clouds – talk about a unique photo op! Just remember the park motto: "Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints."
This fully paved road, completed in 2016, is now the go-to route from Asmara to Massawa. But don't let the pavement fool you; it's a wild ride with over 40 hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections (up to 11% incline!). The road can get narrow in spots, and fog is a frequent visitor, so keep your wits about you.
Clocking in at just over 40 miles, the Semenawi Bahri Tollway is a stunning alternative to the old road. Prepare for some white-knuckle driving, but the views? Totally worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Eritrea
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 65.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,570 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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