Is Tuna Canyon Road in California paved?

Is Tuna Canyon Road in California paved?

Usa, north-america

Length

11.2 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up for Tuna Canyon Road in Malibu, California! This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking about a seven-mile stretch of pure adrenaline in the western Santa Monica Mountains.

This paved ribbon of road winds its way from the Pacific Coast Highway up to CA-27 in Topanga and is known as one of Malibu's best driving roads, but hold on, it's a one-way downhill adventure now thanks to a past mudslide. So, you get to experience it from top to bottom, and trust me, you'll want to.

Picture this: super steep sections hitting an 18% grade, hairpin turns with zero guardrails, and a rock wall on one side with a jaw-dropping drop-off on the other. Keep an eye out for random rocks and sand on the road. It's a workout for your brakes, so make sure they're ready for some serious action!

This road has a bit of a reputation, to be honest. It's been known for high speeds and risky drivers, so keep your wits about you and drive smart.

But hey, it's not all white-knuckle driving! The views are absolutely insane. Think Pacific Ocean vistas and a gorgeous wooded landscape that will make your camera beg for mercy. Give yourself about 25-30 minutes to soak it all in. It's a photographer's dream and an experience you won't forget! Just remember to keep your eyes on the road – and maybe say a little prayer.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
11.2 km
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is North Walton Peak?moderate

Where is North Walton Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright adventure junkies, let's talk North Walton Peak in the rugged northern reaches of Colorado! You'll find it standing tall, a ways north of another peak charmingly named South Walton Peak. So, what's at the top? Well, besides some seriously killer views, you'll spot a radio communication tower. Getting there is a bit of an adventure. The dirt track, which I think it's called Buffalo Park Road?, winds for about 3 miles up to the top. Don't let the short distance fool you – you'll be gaining around 740 feet in elevation, making for a moderately steep climb. A 4x4 is absolutely essential. Just a heads up: winter transforms this road into an icy obstacle course. Basically, it's a no-go during the snowy season, so plan your trip accordingly. But when the sun's out, get ready for a wild ride with some unforgettable Colorado scenery!

Road trip guide: Conquering Castle Butte in IDhard

Road trip guide: Conquering Castle Butte in ID

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you HAVE to check out Castle Butte in Idaho County, Idaho! This peak sits way up high at 6,666 feet in the Clearwater National Forest, and getting there is an adventure in itself. The road is totally unpaved, and seriously, you'll probably need a 4x4 with high clearance to make it. Forget bringing your RV or anything with low ground clearance. The Lolo Motorway, an old single-lane road, is how you get up there, but keep in mind it's usually snowed in from October to June. Expect some steep sections along the way, and be aware that thunderstorms can roll in fast, making the road super tricky or even impassable. But the payoff is SO worth it! At the top, there's this awesome lookout tower built way back in 1950, and the views? Unreal! You get 360-degree panoramas of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the Seven Devils Mountains, and the deep canyons of the North Fork Clearwater River. Just remember, cell service is pretty much non-existent, so be prepared!

Where is Brown Mountain?hard

Where is Brown Mountain?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up for a wild ride on Brown Mountain Road, tucked away east of the summit in southwestern Colorado! This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking serious altitude here, reaching some of the highest points in the state. Think of it as the Million Dollar Highway's adventurous cousin. Now, heads up: the road to the top is unpaved, so 4x4 is a must. The views from the summit? Totally worth it! Plus, you'll be cruising past cool old mining relics along the way. This epic route clocks in at roughly 7 miles, kicking off from U.S. 550. Keep in mind, this road's usually closed until later in the season. The weather up there can flip on a dime, and snow conditions can be super unpredictable, so always stay alert!

Jones Pass in Colorado may be intimidating to novice driversmoderate

Jones Pass in Colorado may be intimidating to novice drivers

🇺🇸 Usa

Jones Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.804m (12,480ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit has a relatively good road surface given its high altitude. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado. The pass is located on the boundary between Clear Creek and Grand counties, in the central part of Colorado, to the west of Denver. Tucked away in the beautiful Arapaho National Forest, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Jones Pass Road (Forest Road 202). It’s essentially a dirt road with some steep grades along the way. The road is narrow and steep and may be intimidating to novice drivers. The road travels above the tree line for several miles until it dead-ends after crossing the Continental Divide. It can be traversed by most vehicles in good conditions, but medium to high clearance is necessary in passing some of the route’s tougher sections. Although the route is not overly difficult, the winding turns and steep grades may be intimidating for inexperienced drivers. The switchbacks on the way up are easy and wide in most places. They are near the edge in many places, though, so it may challenge those with a fear of heights. The road is kept well maintained, though. Set high in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this road is usually impassable from late October through late June or early July. Vehicle access to the summit is typically limited to the late summer season. Starting just west of Berthoud Falls off Hwy 40, the road to the summit is 8.69km (5.4 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 795 meters. The average gradient is 9.14%. It climbs gradually to the top of the pass and descends steeply down the west side to a closed road. Plan about one hour to reach the summit from Highway 40, without any stops. However, the drive is pretty scenic and encompasses miles of stunning views. Along the road, drivers will catch many glimpses of Colorado’s mining history among the wildflowers and alpine views. There is room for parking at the summit of the pass. Pic: Nate Jensen Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.