How long is Berthoud Pass?
Usa, north-america
75.15 km
3,446 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising through Colorado? You HAVE to experience Berthoud Pass! This paved beauty, also known as U.S. Highway 40, stretches for 46.7 miles (75.15 km) between the charming town of Empire and Granby.
Perched on the Continental Divide in the Front Range, it's named after Edward Berthoud, a railroad surveyor back in the day. The views? Unreal! Think classic Rocky Mountain scenery around every bend.
Heads up – at 11,307 feet (3,446m), this pass is no joke! While it's generally open year-round, winter can throw a wrench in things. Expect potential closures or restrictions due to heavy snow and avalanches. It's definitely a route that demands respect.
The road itself has some steep sections (around 6.3% grade) and plenty of switchbacks, so take it slow. While it can be challenging in spots, guardrails help keep you on track. Budget around 50-70 minutes to drive it without stopping, but trust me, you'll want to pull over at the overlooks and soak in the epic views. Oh, and for the adventurous, a gravel road branches off to the east, leading to the summit of a 12,506-foot (3,812m) peak.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 75.15 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,446 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardTravelling the busy Road Mexico 45
🇲🇽 Mexico
Alright, buckle up, because Mexico 45, connecting Queretaro and León, is a wild ride! This highway is the main artery pumping traffic from the northwest and north of Mexico and the US through the heartland, so yeah, it's busy. The area has exploded with industry and development in the last couple of decades. Think inland valley ("El Bajío") views – we're talking Irapuato, León, Salamanca, Silao, Celaya, Queretaro – all sitting pretty at an average elevation of 1,750m above sea level. Now, heads up: with all that growth, infrastructure hasn't quite kept pace. This road can be a bit of a beast, averaging a couple accidents daily. Watch out for speeding, heavy traffic, and less-than-perfect pavement. It's a driver's challenge, no doubt, but keep your wits about you!
hardWhy is the Seven Mile Bridge famous?
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising down the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys? You absolutely HAVE to experience the Seven Mile Bridge! This iconic stretch connects Knight's Key to Little Duck Key, and it's a straight shot across the open ocean. Seriously, it's about 7 miles long, with a 65-foot high arch that gives you some seriously stunning views. This bridge isn't just a way to get from point A to point B – it's a landmark! It's been featured in a ton of movies (think action-packed thrillers!) and it's easy to see why. Picture this: you're driving along, surrounded by turquoise water as far as the eye can see. It's a two-lane road, so you can really soak it all in. Okay, so it *looks* amazing, but is it scary? Well, it's in the Florida Keys, which means hurricane territory. The current bridge is actually the *second* one built here, designed to be much sturdier than the original after a nasty hurricane wiped it out. While it's super strong, I definitely wouldn't want to be caught on it during a storm!
extremeWhere is Tassajara Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! We're heading to California's Pacific coast for a wild ride on Tassajara Road. Picture this: you're deep in Los Padres National Forest, cruising (carefully!) on this 17.1-mile stretch of unpaved glory. Starting from East Carmel Valley Road, you'll be winding north towards the legendary Tassajara Hot Springs, tucked away in the Carmel Valley. But hold on tight, this ain't your average Sunday drive! This road is a real challenge, climbing through some serious mountain terrain. We're talking one-lane corners, deep ruts that pop up throughout the year, and a peak elevation that'll make you feel like you're on top of the world. The last few miles down into Tassajara are known to be particularly gnarly. A high-clearance vehicle is practically a must-have here. And be warned: conditions change on a dime depending on the weather. Plus, there are no guardrails to save you, so take it slow, especially around those blind corners. Cell service? Forget about it! Avoid this road at night. Bonus for stargazers: just east of Tassajara Road, there's another long climb up to the Oliver Observing Station (MIRA), perched way up high. Apparently, the views are out of this world—literally!
moderateHow to get by car to Oak Island, the paradise for treasure hunters?
🇨🇦 Canada
Ever heard of Oak Island, Nova Scotia? It's this super mysterious place on the south shore that's been called the site of "the world's longest, most expensive treasure hunt." You can't just wander over; it's privately owned, but get this: it's connected to the mainland by a causeway, a little land bridge that takes you right from Crandall's Point to the island! The causeway is your only ticket to the island these days, and it's how you can join one of the guided tours. The whole island is famous for legends about buried treasure and historical artifacts. This isn't just a little path; the causeway stretches for 200 meters (660 feet), and they had to pack in over 1,500 cubic yards of fill to build it! It finished up on October 16th, 1965, by Robert Dunfield and Mel Chappell, and was mainly built so they could get heavy equipment onto the island for all that digging. Now, thanks to the TV show "The Curse of Oak Island," everyone's even more curious about what they might find. A gate blocks the way with warnings — "Private/No Hunting or Trespassing/Danger" — so tours are the way to go.