If you love to drive, you’ll love the road to Smith-Dorrien Pass
Canada, north-america
70.2 km
1,909 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, so you're headed to Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada? Buckle up for the Smith-Dorrien Pass! This beauty sits at a cool 6,263 feet above sea level and is basically the highlight of the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail (aka Highway 742).
This gravel road stretches for about 43 miles from south of Canmore to the Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40). Don't expect smooth sailing; it's a bit dusty and washboardy, but nothing a regular car can't handle.
Keep in mind, this is the Rockies, so winter can be brutal. Even in summer, the dust can be intense, especially in the 80 km/h zones. Leave some space between you and the car in front of you so you don't end up with a cracked windshield. Watch out for wildlife too! There are some rough patches and a narrow, steep, winding section near Canmore. Oh, and pro tip: don't count on having cell service out there. But hey, the scenery is totally worth it!
Where is it?
If you love to drive, you’ll love the road to Smith-Dorrien Pass is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 54.4113, -111.3267
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 70.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,909 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 54.4113, -111.3267
Related Roads in north-america
moderateA beautiful drive to Presa Zimapan
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, listen up! I've got a hidden gem for you, snaking its way through the stunning landscapes where Hidalgo and Querétaro meet in Mexico. This unnamed state route leads you on an unforgettable ride to the Zimapán reservoir. Picture this: breathtaking mountain vistas, the expansive reservoir shimmering in the sunlight, and dramatic canyon walls towering beside you. But wait, there's more! You'll actually *cross* the main dam itself, right on the state line where the Moctezuma River carves its way through the canyon. And the tunnels? Prepare for three! Two shorter ones near the dam, but then BAM – you're plunged into Querétaro's longest tunnel, stretching for a solid 2.5 kilometers! The entire road is paved, so no need to worry about off-roading. Plus, there are plenty of viewpoints and rest stops along the way to soak it all in. Thinking of making it a longer trip? Ferry access and campsites abound around the reservoir – perfect for an extended escape!
hardWhere is Sawnee Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Sawnee Mountain is a mountain peak at an elevation of 593m (1,946ft) above sea level, located in Forsyth County, in the U.S. state of Where is Sawnee Mountain? The peak is located north of Cumming, in the north-central part of Georgia. The summit hosts a fire tower and communication facilities. Is the road to Sawnee Mountain paved? The road to the summit is narrow and pretty steep . It’s called Tower Road. Speed is limited to 15mph. How long is the road to Sawnee Mountain? Starting from the paved GA-20 Road, the road to the summit is 1.93km (1.2 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 185m (607 ft), and the average gradient is . The last meters of the road are blocked with a gate and closed to private vehicles. Ultimate off-road destination: Masonic Mountain in California The Incredibly Rough Road to Scotch Creek Pass in Colorado 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.
hardBow Pass is the highest road in Canada’s national parks
🇨🇦 Canada
Alright, road trip lovers, let's talk about Bow Pass! Nestled high in Alberta, Canada, within the stunning Banff National Park, this beauty tops out at a cool 2,088m (6,850ft). We're talking serious Canadian high-road status! Built back in 1940, this completely paved stretch of Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 north to those in the know) is the highest road you'll find in Canada's national parks. Keep an eye out for the side road just west of the pass that takes you up to Bow Summit and the breathtaking Peyto Lake. Clocking in at 75.8 km (47.09 miles), it winds its way from Lake Louise to Saskatchewan River Crossing in a south-north direction. Perched in the Waputik Range of the Canadian Rockies, Bow Pass is the highest point on this incredible drive. While usually open year-round, don't be surprised by snow any time of year. Winter brings extreme weather, so be prepared! Trust me; the scenery is unreal. Words and pictures don't do it justice. This drive is a masterpiece of road engineering, with the views just getting better and better as you climb. Weekends and holidays get busy, and July and August are peak times with up to 100,000 vehicles hitting the parkway each month.
moderateWhen is Wapusk Trail built?
🇨🇦 Canada
Located in the geographical heart of Canada, near the tree line on the edge of Hudson Bay, the Wapusk Trail is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest seasonal winter road in the world. Careful preparation for your trip will ensure that if, and when, things do go wrong, you are prepared for the situation. When is Wapusk Trail built? Every January, the road is painstakingly constructed on snow and ice to provide temporary access for a few weeks to remote settlements surrounding Hudson Bay. These settlements, which are typically only reachable by air, rely on this road until the arrival of warmer March weather necessitates its closure. Designed in cold conditions, the road is strategically laid out, following the path of least resistance and traversing natural terrain features like muskeg, lakes, rivers, and creeks. These winter roads play a crucial role in facilitating transportation during the winter, connecting isolated areas where permanent or all-weather roads are absent. Unfortunately, the increasing brevity of the seasons poses significant challenges. It is becoming progressively more arduous to construct reliable ice roads as they are highly dependent on the unpredictable thickness of the ice. As an alternative, air transportation is available, albeit at a considerable cost. How long is Wapusk Trail? The road is 772 km (479 miles) long and stretches west from the communities of Shamattawa and Gillam in Manitoba and east to Peawanuck. In 2011 the road was made a bit longer, arriving to Winisk. The road runs 252 km from Peawanuck to Fort Severn, 234 km from Fort Severn to the Manitoba border, 90 km from the border to Shamattawa, and 196 km from Shamattawa to Gillam. The first 90 km of the road west from Fort Severn is the worst part of the road when the wind is blowing. The number of trucks averages between 30 to 40, with 44 trucks being the record number of trucks in one year, transporting consumer goods, fuel and construction materials. This type of ‘temporary highways’ have a crucial role in enabling goods to be delivered to communities without permanent road access. When was the Wapusk Trail constructed for first time? The winter road system dates back to the 1950’s built by private construction companies to provide a means of transporting freight to isolated northern communities that would be less costly than air transport. The trail has been featured in Ice Road Truckers TV show. How long does it take to drive the Wapusk Trail? It takes about 12 to 17 hours to complete the drive, depending on the conditions. How to prepare to drive the Wapusk Trail? Due to the remoteness of the area, take special care to ensure that your vehicle is ready for the trip. You need to be prepared. In case of a breakdown, there is very little in the way of passing traffic or inhabitants around, and no cell phone service in parts. Winter survival and communication equipment are recommended. Take emergency supplies and extra parts; make sure you know your route. Know where you are and know where you are going. Pic&more info: https://www.tvo.org/article/since-ice-roads-wont-stay-frozen-we-need-to-get-serious-about-building-permanent-roads-in-the-far Saskatchewan Highway 955 is worth the white-knuckle drive Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive: A Comprehensive Travel Guide 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.