
Princeton Summerland Road is a drive with superb views in BC
Canada, north-america
93.2 km
1,120 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising through British Columbia, Canada, you HAVE to check out the Princeton Summerland Road. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience, connecting Princeton in the Similkameen region to Summerland on the west side of Okanagan Lake. Locals call the Princeton end "the Five-Mile," so keep an ear out!
Clocking in at around 93 km (almost 58 miles), this route is a sweet mix of smooth curves and incredible views. About 60 km is paved, but the rest is packed gravel, so be prepared for some potentially bumpy sections. It's a backroad adventure, but not too wild. You'll climb to about 1,120m (over 3,600ft) above sea level, so hold on tight on those steeper sections! Just a heads-up: the area can get mudslides and washouts, so keep an eye on the weather.
Without stops, plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours to soak it all in. This road traces the old Kettle Valley Railway, and the scenery is seriously stunning. Think wide-open spaces, crisp air, and views that will make your jaw drop. Trust me, this road is a photographer's dream come true!
Where is it?
Princeton Summerland Road is a drive with superb views in BC is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 54.3836, -107.7059
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 93.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,120 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 54.3836, -107.7059
Related Roads in north-america
extremeHow long is Northern Link Road?
π Dominica
Okay, picture this: Dominica, Caribbean vibes, and you're about to tackle the Northern Link Road. This ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking a seriously steep, zig-zag climb that'll test your driving skills (and maybe your nerves!). This baby's paved, but don't let that fool you. It's narrow, sharply winding, and climbs like crazy. Starting in Penville, a village nestled up at about 91 meters above sea level, you'll quickly be heading skyward. Clocking in at about 3.2 kilometers, you'll be staring down hairpin turns and blind corners as you gain altitude. Trust me, it's a workout for your steering wheel. The road ultimately summits at 376 meters, that's a whopping 285 meter climb over just 3 kilometers, with an average grade of 9.5%, before heading towards Capuchin. The views, though? Totally worth it. Just keep your eyes on the road...and maybe pull over to soak it all in!
easyWhere is Grand Mesa Summit?
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, road trippers, listen up! Wanna hit up what they say is the world's largest flat-topped mountain? Head to western Colorado, straddling Mesa and Delta counties, and find the Grand Mesa Summit! You'll be cruising along Colorado State Highway 65 β also known as the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway β so smooth sailing all the way on paved roads. This beauty stretches for about 52 miles (83 km) from Mesa to Delta. The road's pretty chill, with a gentle climb between 3% and 6%, so no white-knuckle driving here! Word to the wise: this road is generally open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter, because Mother Nature might decide to shut it down temporarily. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! Prepare for epic views as you climb through four distinct ecological zones. Think ancient forests, shimmering aspen groves, wildflower meadows, and sparkling lakes. The summit itself is more of a plateau than a pointy peak, so don't expect a single obvious spot β but trust me, there are tons of photo ops. Plus, you'll find several scenic overlooks along the route with views that'll blow your mind! Get ready to fill up that memory card!
moderateHow to get to the scenic Athabasca Pass Lookout in Alberta?
π¨π¦ Canada
Okay, so you're cruising through the Canadian Rockies, right? You absolutely HAVE to hit up the Athabasca Pass Lookout! We're talking Jasper National Park vibes, east of majestic Mount Edith Cavell, with a super convenient, big ol' parking lot. The lookout itself sits pretty at 1,277m (that's 4,189ft for my imperial system friends), and yeah, the views are LEGIT. Towering mountains, icy glaciers, lakes so blue they look photoshopped β it's the perfect place to just soak it all in. Now, heads up: a big fire ripped through the area in 2024. It changed things, for sure. While it's sad to see some of the greenery gone, the burned landscape has its own kind of haunting beauty. It's a different perspective, and honestly, a powerful one. You'll see the resilience of nature firsthand. Getting there is a breeze. Just hop on the AB-93 (aka the Icefields Parkway), a fully paved road in great condition. It's a 151km (94 mile) stretch running north-south from Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing. Trust me, it's a road trip you won't forget!
hardHow long is Sawyers Bar Road?
πΊπΈ Usa
Sawyers Bar Road is a hidden gem nestled in California's Klamath National Forest! This isn't just a drive, it's an experience. We're talking a 64km (almost 40-mile) adventure from Forks of Salmon (at the river forks, duh!) to Etna in Scott Valley. The best part? The section between Etna Summit (almost 6,000 feet up!) and Sawyers Bar. Youβll start with a steady climb on a fairly straight road, but hold on tight β after the summit, the road narrows, gets way more scenic, and starts twisting like a pretzel! The drop on the other side can hit a wild 18% grade! Expect some seriously slow speeds, like 15-25 km/h, and plan for around 1.5 hours without stops. Speaking of elevation, you'll reach a height of almost 6,000 feet, with stunning views along the way. But be warned: this isn't for the faint of heart (or those with massive RVs). We're talking one-lane sections, steep drop-offs (think 500 feet straight down!), and the potential for rock slides. It hugs the North Fork of the Salmon River, and the scenery is unreal. Just remember to honk on those blind curves and keep an eye out for erosion. Summer afternoons can get seriously hot! Services are scarce, so fuel up and pack accordingly. If you're an experienced mountain driver looking for a remote, gorgeous, and challenging road, Sawyers Bar is calling your name.