
Driving the unpaved Navy Road in Santa Cruz Island
Usa, north-america
11.5 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Ever dreamed of exploring a wild, remote island paradise? Navy Road, tucked away in California's Channel Islands, is calling your name!
This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking about 7.14 miles of pure, unadulterated off-road bliss. You'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this beast. The terrain is rugged, the weather can be unpredictable, and the road is entirely unpaved. This baby gets seriously steep, hitting a 22% gradient in spots!
While you can see some vehicles from the island, no public motor vehicles are allowed. You can only hike or kayak around.
But the views? Absolutely breathtaking. Navy Road winds through canyons and over ridges, offering stunning vistas that have graced the silver screen in movies like Peter Pan and The Rescue.
Keep your eyes peeled for ticks, poison oak, cholla cactus, and scorpions, there are no poisonous snakes on the island. Remember that access to the island is restricted, so plan accordingly. If you're craving a truly unforgettable wilderness experience, Navy Road is where it's at!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 11.5 km
- Difficulty
- hard
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