A steep paved road to Allison Pass in BC
Canada, north-america
126 km
1,350 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip fans, buckle up for Allison Pass in beautiful British Columbia, Canada! You'll find this beauty smack-dab in the middle of Manning Park, nestled in the Cascade Mountains.
Fun fact: it's named after a local rancher, John Fall Allison! The road itself is the fully paved BC-3, also known as the Hope-Princeton Highway, and this pass marks its highest point.
Get ready for a 126 km (78-mile) journey stretching from Hope (where the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers meet) to Princeton.
Now, the road usually stays open year-round, but winter can throw some curveballs with those short-term closures. Cyclists and drivers alike, be warned: this stretch can be a beast with some steep climbs and altitudes. Coming from Hope, you'll hit those 7% grades up to the Hope Slide before even starting the climb to Allison Pass – you might even see some trucks pulled over to cool their engines! But trust me, the views are worth it!
Where is it?
A steep paved road to Allison Pass in BC is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 54.0753, -106.9055
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 126 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,350 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 54.0753, -106.9055
Related Roads in north-america
difficultMillion Dollar Highway
🇺🇸 United States
# The Million Dollar Highway: Colorado's Most Legendary Mountain Drive Ready for one of the most epic road trips in the American West? The Million Dollar Highway is a stunning 40-kilometer stretch of U.S. Route 550 that connects the charming mountain towns of Silverton and Ouray in southwestern Colorado. This route is part of the larger San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, and honestly, it's the crown jewel. The drive takes you over three seriously impressive mountain passes – Coal Bank Pass (3,145 m), Molas Pass (3,300 m), and Red Mountain Pass (3,358 m) – all while cutting through the breathtaking San Juan Mountains. The name? Well, nobody's entirely sure. Some say it comes from the gold-flecked gravel used in the original construction. Others swear it's because the views alone are worth a million bucks. Then there's the cynical take: "I wouldn't drive that road again for a million dollars." (Spoiler alert: it's actually way more fun than that last explanation suggests.) Built back in the 1880s during Colorado's silver mining heyday, this route has been continuously improved over the decades. The real heart-pounding section? Between Ouray and Red Mountain Pass, where the asphalt literally hugs the mountainside with hundreds-of-meter cliff drops – and yeah, guardrails are basically non-existent in spots. But here's the thing: the views are absolutely insane. You're surrounded by mountains striped in vivid reds, oranges, and yellows from mineral deposits, with weathered old mining buildings and thick alpine forests completing the picture. Come autumn, the aspen trees explode into golden brilliance, making this one of North America's best fall color road trips. Don't let the dramatic reputation scare you off – the road is well-paved and properly maintained. Winter is another story though; ice and snow on those steep grades and hairpin turns demand respect (chains or winter tires are often required). Ouray, the charming town at the northern end, calls itself the "Switzerland of America" and sits in a spectacular natural mountain amphitheater. Silverton, perched at 2,836 meters at the southern end, is a genuine ghost-town-turned-tourist-destination with authentic Victorian architecture everywhere. The highway stays open year-round, making this an unforgettable drive in any season.
easyIs Nicola Highway paved?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, buckle up for the Nicola Highway – Highway 8 in disguise – a total hidden gem in British Columbia's Southern Interior! Picture this: you're cruising alongside the Nicola River for about 65 km (or 40-ish miles), starting near Merritt (where you hop off Highway 97C) and ending up in Spences Bridge, where you can pick up Highway 1. This valley stunner, built way back in '53, has been spruced up recently, but still keeps that off-the-beaten-path vibe. The road is fully paved and stays open year-round. Since you're up in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, winter tires are your friend when the snow flies. And the best part? You'll practically have the whole road to yourself. Maybe you'll spot a few fellow road-trippers or some motorcyclists chasing thrills, but traffic is seriously light. Get ready for some incredible scenery.
extremeHow Challenging is the Paso de la Muerte Road?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the Death Pass (Paso de la Muerte) in Mexico! This insane mountain road connects Conrado Castillo to the rest of Tamaulipas, clinging to the edge near the Nuevo León border. Forget your wide-body SUVs; this is a single-lane rollercoaster! Expect seriously steep grades and hairpin turns where one wrong move means a long fall. Picture this: constant fog, bad weather rolling in, and absolutely zero guardrails separating you from hundreds of meters of empty space. This isn't just a road; it's an adrenaline shot straight to the heart. Even photos can't quite capture the raw, untamed nature of this beast. Views? Sure, if you dare to take your eyes off the road for a millisecond. Consider yourself warned: this pass is legendary for a reason!
extremeHow is the drive to Kerr Notch?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, and you hit Kerr Notch. It's this insane mountain pass perched on the southeastern edge of the lake, and trust me, the views are unreal. So, Kerr Notch is basically a valley carved by glaciers way before Mount Mazama blew its top like 7,700 years ago. When the volcano collapsed, it sliced these valleys in half, leaving these crazy "notches" behind. Plus, legend says this is where some early settlers first laid eyes on the lake back in 1853 and called it "Deep Blue Lake." Pretty cool, right? Now, about the road itself: it's part of the Rim Drive, all paved and smooth, but don't get cocky. It's a twisty, narrow mountain road with zero shoulder and seriously steep drop-offs. If you're scared of heights, this might test your nerves! Kerr Notch is the spot to jump onto the road to the Pinnacles Overlook, so definitely make the detour. Got a big RV or a trailer? Heads up – the descent into the notch is pretty steep, so use your engine to help brake on those long downhills to avoid overheating. But the real reason to come here is the view of Phantom Ship, this jagged island that looks like a ghost ship sailing on the water. Kerr Notch is the lowest point on the rim's southeast side, so you're closer to the water here than at other viewpoints like the Watchman. The parking area can get packed in the summer, and the road is narrow, so stick to the designated spots. Photographers love this place because the light changes throughout the day, making the blue of the lake even more intense. Just a heads up: Kerr Notch is usually closed until late June or early July because of the massive snowdrifts. Aim to visit between mid-July and September. By October, those first winter storms can bring ice to the hairpins, making the East Rim Drive super sketchy.