How long is 'The Road' on the island of Saba?
Netherlands, europe
10.6 km
366 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, picture this: Saba, a ridiculously charming little Dutch Caribbean island. And smack dab in the middle of it is "The Road," the island's lifeline. Seriously, this isn't just any road – it connects the airport to the harbor and weaves through all four of Saba's adorable villages.
Josephus Lambert Hassell, a local legend, was the mastermind behind it all. Everyone thought he was nuts trying to build a road here, but he proved them wrong!
We're talking a 10.6 km (6.58 miles) concrete ribbon that stretches from the airport, through Hell's Gate (yikes!), Windwardside, St. John, and finally The Bottom.
Locals call it "The Road that Couldn't Be Built," and for good reason. Imagine building a road on this crazy island back in 1938 with zero machines. The first bit opened in 1943, and the whole thing was done by 1958. Incredible, right?
Now, let's be real – this road is NARROW. There are spots where two cars can't even pass each other. Some find it nerve-wracking to drive, especially those crazy curves in Windwardside. We are climbing over 1,200 feet in less than a mile!
But here's the payoff: the VIEWS! You're hugging cliff sides, gawking at neighboring islands, villages, and ever-changing seascapes. And the scenery? Unreal. You go from dry scrubland to lush tropical forests in minutes.
Head towards the Mt. Scenery trail, and you'll hit the highest point – over 1,800 feet! You might even drive from sunshine into the clouds in a blink. It’s a wild, exhilarating ride you won't forget.
Road Details
- Country
- Netherlands
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 366 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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