Is Sunwapta Pass in Canada’s Alberta province paved?

Is Sunwapta Pass in Canada’s Alberta province paved?

Canada, north-america

Length

151 km

Elevation

2,069 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: Sunwapta Pass, chilling at 6,788 feet in Alberta, Canada, right in the heart of the snow-dusted Canadian Rockies. And yes, it's paved the whole way! You'll be cruising on Highway 93 north, also known as the Icefields Parkway, considered the highest road in Canada's national parks. This beauty connects Jasper and Banff with a string of hairpin turns as you climb.

The drive is 93.82 miles (151 km) of pure scenic bliss running from Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing, marking the border between Banff and Jasper National Parks. Sunwapta Pass is the second-highest point on this route.

Built in 1940, this road can get crowded, especially on weekends and during peak holiday season. July and August see a flood of up to 100,000 vehicles a month!

Trust me, the drive is worth it. The views are beyond words, seriously, you'll want to stop every five minutes for photos. The higher you climb, the better the scenery gets. Just incredible!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Canada
Continent
north-america
Length
151 km
Max Elevation
2,069 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in north-america

Canoe Mountain is a truly outstanding SUV adventure in Canadahard

Canoe Mountain is a truly outstanding SUV adventure in Canada

🇨🇦 Canada

Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! We're heading to Canoe Mountain in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, home to some seriously epic views and one heck of a climb! This isn't your Sunday drive – at 2,628m (8,622ft), it's one of Canada's highest roads! Nestled in the Monashee Range, this is off-road heaven. Canoe Mountain Road is a rugged, unpaved path leading to a CBC TV tower at the very top, which, FYI, is supposedly the highest vehicle-accessible launch spot in the country. Picture yourself at the edge of the world! Summer is your window of opportunity, and you absolutely need a 4x4 or ATV to conquer this beast. The road's seen better days, so expect slow and steady progress. We're talking narrow stretches, hairpin turns, lots of loose gravel, and some seriously steep climbs near the summit. Starting from BC-5 Highway, it's a 12.60 km (7.83 mi) trek to the top, with a whopping 1,809 meters of elevation gain! That's an average gradient of 14.35%, so hold on tight! Being the northernmost peak of the Monashees pays off big time with panoramic views in every direction. Get ready for mind-blowing vistas of Kinbasket Lake and surrounding landscapes. Plus, at the summit, you'll find a memorial to Daniel Cantin. Get your camera ready - you won't want to miss this!

Is the Hurley River Forest Service Road in BC Unpaved?hard

Is the Hurley River Forest Service Road in BC Unpaved?

🇨🇦 Canada

Get ready for an adventure on the Hurley River Forest Service Road in southern British Columbia, Canada! This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's a mountainous, gravel track that winds its way north from the Pemberton Valley. We're talking steep climbs, serious drop-offs, and enough potholes to keep you on your toes. You'll definitely want a high-clearance vehicle for this one, as well as a driver who doesn't mind a bit of a challenge. This 42.1 km (26.1 miles) stretch of road connects Bralorne to Lillooet Forest Service Road, topping out at 1,395 meters (4,576 feet). The views are absolutely stunning, but be warned: this route isn't for the faint of heart. The "Hurley," as the locals call it, is narrow in spots, with no guardrails to protect you from the sheer drops. It's typically open from June to October, but conditions can change rapidly, so be prepared for anything. Pack a survival kit, keep your eyes on the road, and get ready for an unforgettable ride!

What Highway Would You Take to Mowich Lake?moderate

What Highway Would You Take to Mowich Lake?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're in Pierce County, Washington, chasing the clearest, bluest lake you can imagine. That's Mowich Lake, chilling at a cool 5,019 feet, the biggest and deepest in Mount Rainier National Park! To get there, you'll hop on State Highway 165 – aka Mowich Lake Road or Mountain Meadows Road. Now, heads up, this isn't your average smooth cruise. We're talking mostly unpaved, and often pretty bumpy with some serious potholes. Take it slow and easy. A regular car *can* make it when things are dry, but watch out for those big holes that could mess up your ride. Keep in mind this adventure is a summer thing. Snow shuts this road down for most of the year, typically from mid-October to late May or even early June. Snow lingers here! From Buckley, it's a 17-mile (27 km) trek to the Mowich Lake parking area. Budget about 45 minutes, not counting stops (and you *will* want to stop!). The drive takes you through thick forests, across beautiful valleys, and gives you those postcard-perfect views of Mount Rainier. Seriously stunning!

Tamarisk Road is a drive worth taking on the shore of Lake Mohaveeasy

Tamarisk Road is a drive worth taking on the shore of Lake Mohave

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you're looking for an easy off-road adventure near Lake Mohave in Nevada? Check out Tamarisk Road! This little 2.4-mile jaunt in Clark County runs parallel to the Lake Mead Powerline Road within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and offers a pretty cool escape. The road itself is mostly sandy and rocky, but nothing too crazy, so it's stock-friendly. I'd still recommend having a 4x4 and tires that can handle the sand, just to be safe. The elevation is relatively flat, so no crazy climbs here! Just remember to pack plenty of water and get ready for some beautiful scenery along the shores of Lake Mohave. It's a super chill drive!