Humanity has realized the importance of roads even before our era. Since then, engineering has made significant headway. Now the highway is being laid where, relatively recently, it was possible to move only on foot – and even then with great difficulty. Some very ambitious projects have taken lives, but the tracks built as a result have become real attractions that are worth seeing, at least in photographs.
Transfagaraskoe highway (Transfăgărășan)
Romania
The highway passes through the Fagarash mountain range in the Carpathians and reaches an altitude of 2034 meters. Construction began in 1970 and was fully completed four years later. The road was paved in case an emergency transfer of troops was needed. After the USSR’s invasion of Yugoslavia, the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was afraid that the Union might take power from him by force – in fact, the military and carried out dangerous work using a huge amount of explosives. About 40 people died from accidents. Now the Transfagarasi highway is used for peaceful purposes and pleases passers-by with its beauty. However, due to the late melting of snow in the mountains, movement on it is allowed only from late June to early November – exclusively during daylight hours and at a speed not exceeding 40 kilometers per hour.
Milford Road (Milford Road)
New Zealand
The road passes through the Southern Alps – this is the name of the mountain range in New Zealand. It began to be built back in the 29th year of the last century, and finished only in the 53rd. The trail is located at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level and leads to Milford National Park with its picturesque fjords. But there is something to see along the way – not without reason that many scenes of the films of the “Lord of the Rings” series were filmed in the area of this highway. On both sides, cliffs rise above it, and in some places there are relatively flat areas with mountain pastures, where you can see domestic deer and alpacas. While enjoying the views, passers-by do not have to worry about their safety, as the threat of avalanches is a thing of the past. Now they are warned in advance by the monitoring and warning system, which was used for the first time in the world in this area.
Рута 40 (National Route 40)
Argentina
One of the longest roads in the world – its length is about 5,000 kilometers (more than 300 of them are covered not with asphalt, but with gravel). It passes through almost all of Argentina, a country that stretches along a large part of the Atlantic coast of South America. If you drive from the south, the start of the track will be at sea level and the highest point is at 5,000 meters. The route is advertised as tourist and adventure – if the car is in good working order, there are practically no dangers. The main thing is the change of landscapes: from steppes and deserts to mountain passes. By the way, even after the descent, the Andes will be visible on a fairly long section of the path. In addition, the route crosses 20 national parks and many rivers, passes 13 lakes and has 236 bridges.
Col de Turini
France
The route passes through the French Alps and at its highest point reaches 1600 meters above sea level. This is not the highest mountain road in the world, but it is quite dangerous. In some places, two cars can hardly pass on it. There are practically no roadsides – instead of them there are low curbs separating the roadway from the abyss. And there are also an abundance of sharp turns at 180 °, so the recommended speed is no more than 30-40 kilometers per hour. But the views are fabulous – motorists actually find themselves in the middle of the wild. This is reminiscent not only of the play of light on the mountain slopes and forests, but also of the animals occasionally jumping out onto the road. However, given the forced unhurried driving, this is a great bonus to impressions.
Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien)
Norway
This building has been awarded the title “Building of the century in Norway”. The road was ironed from 70 to 83. At first it was paid – so in ten years it was possible to return the money spent, and then travel became free. The highway passes through small uninhabited islands and leads from the Rumsdal peninsula to the inhabited island of Averyoi. The track is only 8.3 kilometers long and has seven bridges. The most beautiful of them is Storsezandetsky. It bends to form a slight twist – with the center above the edges. If you look from a certain angle, it seems that the roadway simply breaks off, therefore it is also called the “Bridge to Nowhere”. The surrounding landscapes are also mesmerizing – you can admire them from several viewing platforms equipped with parking lots.
Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio)
Italy
One of the oldest alpine roads. It was laid by the Austro-Hungarian Empire – construction took five years and ended in 1825. Many workers died during the work. This alpine track takes lives even now – not everyone can cope with 75 sharp turns, but this highway does not become less beautiful, so there are enough people who want to drive along it. Stelvio also attracts racers and motorcyclists, and cyclists compete on the pass every year in August. The length of the route is 44 kilometers, the highest point is at an altitude of 2757 meters. In winter, landslides often occur, damaging the asphalt, so the passage is open from June to November. However, traffic may be suspended at any time due to weather.
Overseas Highway
Florida
The highway passes through the archipelago of the tropical islands of the Florida Keys and connects the mainland of the United States with the island of Key West, on which the city of the same name is located. Initially, this route was 182 kilometers long and was built in 1912. 23 years later, a severe storm caused significant damage to it – the railroad workers did not have the funds to rebuild, so the remaining sections were sold to the state of Florida. Subsequently, a motorway was laid along them, which included several existing roads. Bridges have been built between the islands, the longest of which stretches for 11 kilometers. Travelers on the highway have wonderful views of the ocean and there are many attractions and activities along the way.
Great Ocean Road
Australia
Many travel organizations consider it the most scenic road in the world. The 243 kilometers long highway stretches along the southeastern coast of Australia. Most of it runs along the edge of steep cliffs that rise above the water, but there are sections that pass through the forest and vineyards. The track was conceived as a memorial to the soldiers who died in the First World War, and it was built by the military who returned from the battlefields. The work was carried out without equipment (by hand) and lasted from 19 to 32 years. Some stretches were opened to traffic earlier. At first, the fare was paid, but when the costs paid off, the fees were canceled. Those passing along the road can admire the beauty of the ocean, including bizarre stones sticking out among the waves. For example, the famous natural complex “12 Apostles” is visible from the roadway.
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