Elk Lake Road
Usa, north-america
8.3 km
645 m
moderate
Year-round
Elk Lake Road is a very scenic drive located in the Adirondack Mountains, in the northeast of Upstate New York in the United States. There are many excellent photo opportunities. The road is lost in space and time.
The road is asphalted but pretty narrow. The drive is definitely worth it. A drive not to be missed! It’s 5.2 miles (8.3km) long, located just a few hours north of New York City.
This is an exquisite winding mountain drive leading the traveler to the Elk Lake, at 645m (2,116ft) above the sea level. Starting from Blue Ridge Road, at 369m (1,210ft) above the sea level, the road is 5.2 miles (8.3km) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 276 meters. The average gradient is 3.32%.
Taking Your Chances on US Route 1
Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our
to discover the most spectacular roads of the world
Drive Us to Your Road!
With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click
to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 8.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 645 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere is Obstruction Point Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're in Clallam County, Washington, and you're feeling brave? Obstruction Point Road might just be your ticket to a little adrenaline rush! Locals whisper it's Washington's "scariest road," so buckle up, buttercup! This 7.6-mile dirt track claws its way west-to-east from a starting point to the Obstruction Point Trailhead, nestled deep within the Olympic Mountains. Now, let's be real – "road" might be a generous term. It's a well-maintained, unpaved path, totally doable in your average car, but it's skinny! We're talking a backcountry 1.5-lane situation with some seriously steep drop-offs that'll make your palms sweat. Keep your eyes peeled for wider spots to squeeze by oncoming traffic. Leave the RVs, trailers, and motorhomes at home. Trust me. This isn't a joyride for Sunday drivers. It's narrow with blind corners galore. Rain helps keep the dust down, but too much turns it into a slick, treacherous beast. Reaching a lofty 6,135 feet, Obstruction Point Road is Olympic National Park's highest drivable point. Typically, it's open from mid-July to October, but Mother Nature calls the shots. Snow can shut it down anytime. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Just allocate about an hour without stops. The scenery is mind-blowing. After cruising through trees, the road bursts open, hugging a ridge with panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains that'll leave you breathless. Fair warning: weekends, especially sunny ones, are packed! Get there early or hit it on a weekday. The parking lot at the end fills up fast. But that view? Totally worth the white-knuckle drive. You'll be gazing out over the rugged interior of Olympic National Park. Pure magic!
easyAn all-weather paved road to Sandia Crest in New Mexico
🇺🇸 Usa
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Albuquerque in northern New Mexico, you'll find Sandia Crest, a must-do drive inside the Cibola National Forest! This peak punches way up there, hitting 10,678 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in the whole state! The route to the top, NM-536 (aka the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway), is 13.3 miles of pure, paved joy starting from San Antonito. Seriously, any car can handle it! And guess what? The summit's got it all: parking, a restaurant, a gift shop, plus accessible views and restrooms. Built way back in 1927 and fully paved by 1960, this baby's been loved for decades. The road itself? It's in great shape, all nice and smooth after a recent resurfacing. Expect around 20 switchbacks on this two-lane beauty, but nothing too crazy. Keep an eye out for a little dirt on those tight corners, though! Motorcyclists, take note: this is your winding paradise. Just remember, summer storms can bring some serious temperature drops, so be prepared! It's a pretty steep climb, hitting a max gradient of 9% in spots. Over those 13.3 miles from San Antonito, you'll gain 3,763 feet, averaging about a 5.35% grade. The whole drive takes about 25 minutes non-stop, but you'll want to pull over. Trust me, the scenery is epic, transitioning from high desert to thick Sandia Mountain forests. You'll be treated to knockout views of Albuquerque, the Rio Grande, Mount Taylor, and the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The panoramic views of Albuquerque and the surrounding landscape from the summit are seriously next-level. Don't miss it!
extremeWhere is Big Southern Butte?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Big Southern Butte, a massive volcanic dome smack-dab in southern Idaho, near the Craters of the Moon. This thing is HUGE – almost 2.5 miles wide and towering over 2,300 meters. So, how do you get to the top? There's this totally unpaved road that winds its way up, about 7.5 kilometers of pure adventure. Originally built for a fire lookout, which is now gone, the road is still maintained and it climbs almost 800 meters. While full-sized vehicles *can* make it, an ATV or UTV is definitely the way to go. It’s generally in decent shape, but some sections are seriously steep. Ground clearance and 4WD are a major plus, especially considering the sheer drop-offs – not for the faint of heart! Cell service is spotty too, so be prepared. But trust me, it's worth it. The panoramic views from the top are insane. Seriously, a full 360-degree vista stretching from the Tetons all the way to the south hills of Twin Falls. You can even spot the Pioneer Range, the Lost River Range, and more! Just a heads up: the road's closed in winter. And because it's super remote, pack plenty of food and water – zero services out there. Mid-May to October is usually the sweet spot, weather-wise, but always check conditions before you go. It gets HOT in the summer with zero shade, so cooler times are ideal. And remember, help might be a while coming, so be extra cautious.
hardWhere is California Route 36?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because Route 36 in California is a ride you won't soon forget! This epic stretch winds its way for 248 miles across Northern California, snaking through six different counties. Tracing its roots back to the Gold Rush era, this road is basically a history lesson with a serious side of hairpin turns. We're talking around 1,811 curves in just 140 miles! Seriously, this road is a twisty-turny paradise, a rollercoaster carved into the landscape that seems custom-made for motorcycles. Give yourself about six hours to soak it all in, because you'll be traversing a crazy diverse range of landscapes and climates. The road peaks at 5,764 feet above sea level, so expect some elevation changes. This isn't a Sunday drive; it demands your full attention. Watch out for logging trucks. While the pavement is generally smooth, it can get a bit rougher in the western sections, and the centerline occasionally vanishes. And heads up: there are plenty of spots with serious drop-offs and no guardrails, so keep your eyes peeled. Make sure you're gassed up and that someone knows your route, because cell service is spotty at best. And maybe skip this one at night or in iffy weather. But if you're looking for a scenic and challenging ride, Route 36 is a total legend. Get ready for some serious white-knuckle fun!