California Route 36 is The Road With 1.811 Turns

California Route 36 is The Road With 1.811 Turns

Usa, north-america

Length

400 km

Elevation

1,757 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

California Route 36: Hold on tight for this one! At a whopping 248 miles snaking across Northern California, this road is legendary. Think six counties (Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Tehama, Plumas, and Lassen) packed into one epic drive from Alton near the 101 all the way to Susanville near the 395. Its roots go way back to the Gold Rush days, and it’s been tempting drivers ever since.

Imagine flowing, seemingly endless curves, perfectly sculpted for a motorcycle adventure. You’ll climb to a peak of 5,764 feet at Morgan Summit, all while navigating what some claim are over 1,800 curves in just 140 miles!

Budget around 6 hours if you’re not stopping, and prepare to witness wildly changing landscapes.

But a word of warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. Stay sharp because this road demands your full attention. Watch out for trucks! While the road surface is mostly great, expect some rough patches out west, and a missing center line in places. Oh, and sheer drop-offs without guardrails are a thing, so keep those eyes peeled.

Fill up on gas before you go, tell someone your route, and be aware that cell service can be spotty at best. Best to tackle this one during daylight hours and definitely avoid it in bad weather. Conquer Route 36, and every other road will feel like a breeze!

Where is it?

California Route 36 is The Road With 1.811 Turns is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.6555, -93.9781

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
400 km
Max Elevation
1,757 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
39.6555, -93.9781

Related Roads in north-america

Why is it called Elk Mountain?hard

Why is it called Elk Mountain?

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! Elk Mountain in Carbon County, Wyoming, is calling your name. This beast tops out at a whopping 11,171 feet, making it one of the highest roads in the state. Fun fact: it gets its name from Sioux Chief Standing Elk. The road itself? Eight miles of pure, unadulterated off-road heaven (or maybe hell, depending on your driving skills!). You absolutely NEED a 4x4 for this one, trust me. We're talking serious gradients here, with sections hitting a leg-burning 15% incline! You'll climb a staggering 3,589 feet over that short distance, averaging an 8.41% gradient. The views from the top are epic, but be warned: this road is usually snowed in from late October until late June/early July. So plan your adventure accordingly! Oh, and the summit's home to a radio station, KBDY. So, crank up the tunes and get ready for an unforgettable ride!

Old Maverick Road is the easiest off-road road in Big Bend NPmoderate

Old Maverick Road is the easiest off-road road in Big Bend NP

🇺🇸 Usa

Get ready for a desert adventure on Old Maverick Road, a super chill off-road route in Big Bend National Park, Texas! You'll find it in the western part of the state, hugging the west side of the park. This isn't your average paved path – it's a 12.6-mile (20.27km) dirt road winding through the Terlingua Creek badlands. Keep an eye on the weather, though! Rainstorms can cause high water and flooding, making it impassable. Some washes get pretty gnarly after a downpour. If you're in a car with low clearance, proceed with caution—there are some rough spots and blind corners. RVs and low-riders should probably skip this one altogether. The road connects Maverick Junction and Santa Elena Canyon, and it's all about those views. Plan about an hour to drive it straight through, but trust me, you'll want to stop! There are a few cool historic spots and scenic overlooks, especially of the Terlingua Creek. As you approach the Rio Grande and Santa Elena, you'll catch glimpses of the canyon walls, towering over 1,000 feet high. Make sure to hit the observation point and the hiking trail for the full Santa Elena Canyon experience with cliffs that soar up to 1,500 feet.

Where is Crystal Lake?hard

Where is Crystal Lake?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you're heading to Crystal Lake in Montana? Picture this: you're cruising about 20 miles south of Lewistown, right in the heart of Montana. You'll be climbing to over 6,000 feet, so expect some steep grades. The road, Crystal Lake Road, starts out paved, sometimes nice and wide, sometimes a little narrow, but then it turns to gravel for the last 5.7 miles of its 21.5-mile length. Keep in mind, being up in the Big Snowy Mountains, that last stretch can be closed in the winter, and the lake itself freezes over. But trust me, the views make it all worthwhile! You'll find campgrounds at the end of the road, ready for you to pitch your tent.

Where is the Bunny Man Bridge?hard

Where is the Bunny Man Bridge?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you HAVE to check out the Bunny Man Bridge in Fairfax County, Virginia. It's basically a one-lane road that goes under a double railroad track. Think creepy, wooded vibes. Locals swear it's one of the spookiest spots around, especially around Halloween. The story goes that a dude in a bunny suit used to (or still does?!) hang out there, maybe with an axe...or something equally terrifying. The legend's got a few twists, but the main one talks about an old mental hospital nearby. A patient named Douglas Griffon escaped, and suddenly, dead rabbits started showing up in the woods. On Halloween, some kids got found hanging from the bridge, all gutted like those rabbits! Real? Probably not. But that doesn't stop the spooky vibes! Even though there's no proof of the hospital or the escapee, the Bunny Man Bridge is totally a local legend. Definitely worth a visit if you're into ghost stories and creepy places.