If you love to drive, you’ll love the road to Smith-Dorrien Pass

If you love to drive, you’ll love the road to Smith-Dorrien Pass

Canada, north-america

Length

70.2 km

Elevation

1,909 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

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

Share this road

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

Where is Kingman Pass?moderate

Where is Kingman Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trippers, let's talk Kingman Pass! You'll find this beauty nestled in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, chilling at a seriously high elevation. The pass is named after Lieutenant Dan Christie Kingman, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers legend who tamed this tricky stretch of road. Speaking of the road, it's been paved smooth since the 40s, so your ride will be comfy. The route stretches about 53.5 miles between Gardiner, Montana and West Yellowstone – buckle up for the adventure! Expect gorgeous scenery. The road's got lots of twists and turns. Just a heads up: this pass is usually closed from December through April, buried under snow in Yellowstone National Park.

Where is Leidy Peak?moderate

Where is Leidy Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure awaits in northeastern Utah! You're heading to Leidy Peak, and let me tell you, it's a trek! We're talking a 24.63-mile (39.63 km) gravel road that climbs to a whopping 11,026 feet (3,361m). Seriously, this is one of Utah's highest roads! Getting there is half the fun. Just follow the main road, keep an eye out for the Hacking Lake sign, but instead of turning, stick to the right. This’ll lead you to the trailhead's start. Word of caution: this road is a no-go in winter. It's buried under snow and totally impassable. The sweet spot is late June/early July when it usually opens up, but don't dilly-dally; the road closes again with the first big snow, usually sometime between mid-September and mid-October. So time your visit right to experience those stunning Uintah Mountain Range views!

Where is Glacier Mountain in Colorado?moderate

Where is Glacier Mountain in Colorado?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, let's talk Glacier Mountain in the heart of Colorado, tucked away in eastern Summit County! Reaching the top isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking serious off-road territory on Forest Service Road #275, also known as Saints Johns Road. Leave your all-wheel-drive at home; you'll need a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this beast. ATVs? You're golden. This route is a short but intense climb. From Montezuma, it's a relatively short but steep adventure, gaining some serious elevation. Hold on tight because you'll be crawling over some pretty gnarly sections. Heads up: this road is typically snowed in until mid-June. Only attempt it in good weather. Why bother? Because reaching the summit, the views are insane! You'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the Clear Creek County peaks. Plus, the area is steeped in Colorado's mining history, with old mining roads and claims scattered around. It's a window into the past with a view to die for!

Where is the Road NF-9712?moderate

Where is the Road NF-9712?

🇺🇸 Usa

Liberty-Beehive Road #9712 is a very scenic winding mountain road straddling counties, in the US state of Where is the Road NF-9712? The road is located in the central part of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest . The drive is pretty How Long is the Road NF-9712? during the week. It is 47.31 km (29.4 miles) long and runs west–east from the village of Mission Ridge Road (711) Is the Road NF-9712 Open? Mission Ridge Ski Area Mission Ridge (trail) . Its highest elevation is at above sea level. It’s usually impassable in winters in this area is very high and a significant impassable to cars and 4x4 vehicles just beyond the upper Mission Ridge Trail parking lot . Even 4x4 vehicles cannot pass because of the severity of the washouts How to get to the lookout at Sardine Peak in California? A Memorable Road Trip to the Historic Gibbons Pass in Montana 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.