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
Related Roads in north-america
moderateCan you drive around the rim of Crater Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Ready for a breathtaking road trip? Cruise along Rim Drive in Oregon's Crater Lake National Park, a 33-mile loop that hugs the caldera of the stunning Crater Lake. This isn't just any drive; it's one of the highest roads in Oregon, climbing from 6,500 feet to a dizzying 7,877 feet at Cloudcap! Built between 1926 and 1941, this road is a testament to engineering ingenuity. Heads up: Rim Drive is usually only open from July to October because winter brings serious snowfall – we're talking over 20 feet in most places, with drifts up to 60 feet! Keep an eye on conditions; things can change fast. This drive isn't for the faint of heart. It can be a bit narrow and winding, with no shoulders in places, and you might find some rocks on the road. Those afraid of heights might find it challenging as the road sometimes lacks railing and the hillsides are steep. However, the views are SO worth it! Plan for about 1.5 hours without stops, but trust me, you'll want to stop. With around 50 turnouts, you’ll have ample chances to soak in the lake views, panoramic vistas, and gorgeous forests and meadows. Each viewpoint offers something unique. Rim Drive is also a highlight along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, a 500-mile route connecting Crater Lake with Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. Get ready for a drive you won't forget!
hardJordan Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for an adventure? Check out Jordan Peak in California's Sequoia National Forest! This peak clocks in at 8,592 feet, and getting there is half the fun. The road, Forest Rte 20S71, is a gravel and rocky rollercoaster that's definitely not for the faint of heart (or those without 4x4). Think seriously steep climbs and major exposure. Winter? Forget about it, this route is snowed in. But trust me, the views are worth it. At the top, you'll find a lookout tower that was built way back in 1934. It's one of the highest in California, offering a jaw-dropping 360-degree panorama of the surrounding landscape. Seriously epic. Just make sure your brakes are good and your camera's charged!
hardWhere is Trail Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Idaho's Lemhi County, waiting to test your mettle, is Trail Peak. This bad boy climbs way up there, making it one of the highest drives in Idaho. Forget manicured highways—this is a rugged, unpaved mining road from a bygone era, about 7.8 miles of pure, unadulterated challenge. Think rocky terrain, and almost no smooth patches at all. We're talking steep drops, no maintenance, and zero cell service. A tow truck bill would probably bankrupt you. Seriously, a lapse in concentration could have serious consequences. But oh, the views! As you grind your way up 3,560 vertical feet (with an average gradient of 8.64%), you'll be following in the footsteps of prospectors. The summit area was a hive of mining activity from the 1880s to the 1920s, yielding gold, silver, copper and lead. You'll spot remnants of Idaho's mining history all around you. To conquer Trail Peak, you absolutely NEED a 4x4, beefy all-terrain tires, and skid plates are highly recommended. And one more thing: this road is totally snowed under in the winter, so plan your trip for the warmer months!
hardHaleakala Highway in Hawaii: blind turns and very steep drop offs
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for an epic climb on Maui's Haleakala Highway, also known as Crater Road or Route 378! This road's a record-breaker, gaining more elevation in a shorter distance than anywhere else on Earth – 35 miles straight up! Winding through Haleakalā National Park, this fully paved road takes you from Kahului all the way to Pu'u'ula'ula (Red Hill), the tippy-top of Haleakalā at a staggering 10,023 feet. Built back in the '30s, this two-lane road throws some serious challenges your way. Expect gradients up to 15% on some ramps, so hang on tight! You'll gain 9,911 feet in elevation, averaging a 5.39% grade. Prepare for blind turns, super steep drop-offs (without guardrails!), and a whopping 32 switchbacks! Keep an eye out for cows, nene geese, and fog that can roll in quickly. Make sure you stock up on gas and snacks in Pukalani or Makawao because there are no more services past that point. The drive to the summit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours without stopping, but you'll want to pause and soak in the insane "moonlike" scenery. And remember, the temperature drops as you climb, about 3 degrees F for every 1,000 feet of altitude. So, if it's a balmy 75 degrees at sea level, it'll be around 45 degrees at the summit. Plus, driving this road is like traveling from Mexico to Canada in terms of ecological zones – pretty wild, right?