Pike Ridge
Usa, north-america
7.4 km
2,723 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you find yourself in Colorado's Garfield County and crave a little off-the-beaten-path excitement, you HAVE to check out Pike Ridge!
Nestled high in the Bookcliff Mountains, this unpaved road climbs to a whopping 8,933 feet above sea level. Word to the wise: a 4WD vehicle is your best bet, especially with those three tight hairpin turns right at the start. And heads up — winter up here can be brutal.
But trust me, the views are SO worth it! Starting from Highway 139 (aka Douglas Pass Road), the climb is about 4.6 miles long, and in that short distance, you gain 646 feet. The road has an average incline of 2.66%. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 7.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,723 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateArizona 62 is a beautiful road through Madera Canyon
🇺🇸 Usa
Highway 62 in Arizona: Get ready for some serious scenery! This gem winds through the Santa Rita Mountains, right in the heart of Coronado National Forest. It's about 13.6 miles long, starting from the smooth AZ-83 and heading towards E White House Canyon Road. The first 8 miles are paved, easy peasy. After that, it turns into a dirt road — rocky and a bit narrow in spots — but totally doable in a regular car if the weather's dry and you take it slow. Expect some twists, turns, and narrow sections. The road, also known as Box Canyon Road, climbs to a peak of 5,206 feet. Usually, it's open year-round, but keep an eye on the forecast. It can get hot in the summer and might even see a little snow in the winter. Don't worry about oncoming traffic though, there are plenty of pull-outs along the way.
moderateExperience the Majesty of Pikes Peak: America's Scenic High Mountain Drive
🇺🇸 Usa
# Pikes Peak Highway: America's Mountain Challenge Nestled in the Colorado Rockies near Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak (El Capitan to Spanish settlers, renamed after explorer Zebulon Pike) sits at a jaw-dropping 4,302m (14,115ft) and truly lives up to its "America's Mountain" nickname—though we'll forgive the cheese factor once you've seen it. The 19-mile (31km) Pikes Peak Highway stretches from Cascade on US-24 all the way to the summit, making it one of the highest roads in the USA. This entirely paved toll road features 156 delightfully twisted turns and a serious 2,049-meter elevation gain. Built as a gravel climb back in 1915 (taking 13 years to complete), it's evolved into a fully paved adventure that draws over half a million visitors annually. **What to Expect** The drive itself is relatively mellow until you hit that final stretch—that's when you'll spot rangers checking brake temps on descending vehicles. As you climb, the scenery transforms from mountain reservoirs and alpine forests into something otherworldly: a Mars-like, boulder-strewn landscape beyond timberline. The views are genuinely incredible, though the thin air up top might make you feel a little woozy. **Practical Tips** Keep speeds to 25 mph and remember that uphill traffic always has the right-of-way. Whatever the season, bring a jacket—summit winds are no joke, even in summer. The road's partially open year-round (weather permitting), though snow closures can happen anytime. Folks with serious heart or respiratory issues should skip the ascent, as should babies under four months. Not ideal for people with sensitive stomachs or severe altitude sensitivity, but absolutely essential for anyone seeking one of North America's most iconic drives.
moderateWhere is Leavitt Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Leavitt Lake, nestled high in the eastern Sierra Nevada near the Nevada border, is a true alpine gem at 9,570 feet! Getting there is an adventure in itself. Leavitt Lake Road (Forest Service Road 077) is a 2.8-mile dirt track that branches off CA-108 and demands a high-clearance SUV with 4-wheel drive – seriously, leave the sedan at home. Be prepared for a steep climb too; some sections hit a 15% gradient! You'll gain over 1,100 feet in elevation, averaging a 7.5% grade, with a couple of shallow stream crossings to keep things interesting. Keep in mind this road is a no-go in winter and often well into summer due to snow. The lake itself can be iced over until July! But trust me, the stunning views and the remote alpine beauty are so worth the challenging drive. Just south of the lake, a smaller gravel track continues even higher, topping out at 10,649 feet!
moderateIs Forest Road 82 unpaved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Forest Road 825 is a high mountain road located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado. Is Forest Road 82 unpaved? The winding road, also known as US Basin road and Brooklyn road, is located within the San Juan National Forest. It’s entirely unpaved. Is Forest Road 82 open in winter? The steep road tops out at above sea level near Ohio Peak and it’s closed from November 23rd to May 20th (weather permitting). How long is Forest Road 825? The road is 5.9 miles (9.4km) long starting and ending at Million Dollar Highway (Hwy 550) and follows numerous remnants of Colorado's mining heritage. It leads to the well-preserved Longfellow Mine and beautiful dispersed camping places. It should only be attempted by high-clearance vehicles. When was Forest Road 825 built? The road was built in 1883. Due to the large rocks, mud and stumps the road was only used in the winter by sleds. Is Forest Road 825 worth the drive? Running parallel to the Million Dollar Highway (Hwy 550), the drive offers stunning views of the road, as well, as have an amazing 180-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Driving the paved road to Togwotee Pass in the Absaroka Mountains A road above the clouds to Pu'u'ula'ula (Red Hill) in HI 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.