Tetipac Road
Mexico, north-america
N/A
1,630 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure time! This unnamed road in Guerrero, Mexico, connecting Pilcaya and Taxco (via Tetipac), is a wild ride. Starting near Pilcaya around 5,350 feet, you'll plunge into a canyon via a seriously twisty series of hairpin turns that'll have you dropping down to about 4,265 feet. Hold on tight! Then it's back up again, climbing towards Tetipac around 5,775 feet, and onward to a mountain pass topping out at roughly 7,550 feet before cruising into Taxco at about 5,900 feet.
The views? Unreal! Think sweeping vistas of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, glimpses of Taxco, plus cool contrasts between arid landscapes and lush pine forests. The real highlight is the Chichila Overviews—a collection of hairpin curves carved into the mountainside. It's a visual feast you won't soon forget.
Where is it?
Tetipac Road is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 21.2809, -101.4442
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 1,630 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 21.2809, -101.4442
Related Roads in north-america
moderateBobcat Pass is a high mountain road in New Mexico
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Bobcat Pass! This beauty sits way up high in New Mexico's Carson National Forest, at a cool 9,826 feet. You'll find it straddling the Taos and Colfax County line in northern New Mexico — keep your eyes peeled for the bobcats that gave the pass its name! NM-38, a fully paved road, is your path to the summit. Clocking in at just over 29 miles, it connects the towns of Questa and Eagle Nest with some serious elevation changes. Prepare for a bit of a climb! The road gets steep in sections, with gradients hitting 10%. Coming from Questa, you’ve got almost 18.5 miles to ascend, gaining a whopping 3,600 feet. The average grade is around 3.7%, but there's a tough 4-mile stretch leading up to the pass (the first couple miles from Red River will really get your heart pumping). But, hey, what goes up must come down, right? Reward yourself with a stunning 13-mile cruise downhill into Eagle Nest through the Moreno Valley. It's mostly downhill, and the views are incredible!
hardWhat is the Ice Sheet Road?
🌍 Greenland
Okay, picture this: you're in Greenland, in the Qeqqata area, ready for an adventure. Forget your typical paved highways; we're talking about the legendary Ice Sheet Road! It stretches northeast towards the massive Greenland Ice Sheet itself – yeah, that iconic, world-famous glacier. This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive road. It's roughly 38.3 kilometers (or about 24 miles) of pure off-road bliss, perfect for 4x4s, ATVs, and even snowmobiles when winter hits. So, why does this road exist? Back in the day, some car companies were looking for the ultimate cold-weather testing ground. The Ice Sheet Road was built to allow for car endurance experiments. Now, this road isn't just about testing cars anymore. It's a lifeline! It's crucial for tourism, giving access to the magnificent ice sheet. Plus, scientists love it! It makes research easier, whether they're studying the tundra, wildlife, glaciers, or lakes. Think of it as a less-freezing alternative to Antarctica! Is it worth the trek? Absolutely! The views are incredible. Keep an eye out for an old airplane wreck, a Lockheed T-33 from back in the USA military days. There are tons of scenic spots to stop and soak it all in – stunning lakes with mini icebergs floating around. If you're lucky, you might even spot reindeer, muskox, arctic fox, or some cool birds. Oh, and the Northern Lights? This area is a prime viewing spot! Heads up, though! It's a remote gravel road and fairly flat, but be prepared for a serious temperature drop as you approach the ice. You'll feel a constant, chilly breeze blowing off the glacier. This road has had some work done to it lately too! There were some repairs done to the road in recent years, so it is a bit easier for the trucks and buses traveling to the Extreme E event site.
extremeWhere is Aguereberry Point?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading to Death Valley and want an epic view? You HAVE to check out Aguereberry Point! This overlook sits way up high at 6,433 feet in California's Inyo County. The road up, Aguereberry Point Road, kicks off from a paved road and stretches for about 6.4 miles. Sounds easy, right? Not quite! The entire road is unpaved and can be a bit of a beast. You'll gain 1,316 feet in elevation, so it’s a steady climb with an average gradient of almost 4%. Word to the wise: bring a high-clearance vehicle. There's some rocky terrain about 3.5 miles in, and the last half-mile to the viewpoint is particularly steep and rocky. Regular cars might end up with a scraped undercarriage. Plus, weather can throw a wrench in the works with snow or mud. But trust me, the slightly bumpy ride is SO worth it. The views from up there are absolutely stunning, especially in the afternoon and around sunset – prime photo time! You can see across the Panamint Range, all the way to Mount Charleston, Furnace Creek, and the Badwater Basin salt flats. You'll also pass the remains of Harrisburg, an old mining town, along the way. Just remember, this is a remote area, so drive carefully. Watch out for wildlife (especially the desert tortoise!) and be prepared for anything. Summer means scorching temps, so bring plenty of water and be aware of potential flash floods. It's always a good idea to let someone know your plans before you head out, too. Basically, be smart, be safe, and get ready for some seriously amazing views!
hardMauna Loa in Hawaii: A Road Through Lava
🇺🇸 Usa
# The Epic Drive Up Mauna Loa Want to experience something truly otherworldly? Head to Hawai'i and tackle the Mauna Loa Scenic Drive—a wild 17-mile journey up one of the country's highest paved roads. Starting from Saddle Road at 2,001m, you'll climb 1,401 meters of elevation through a genuinely alien landscape of solidified lava to reach Mauna Loa Observatory at 3,402m (11,161ft). Built back in the 1950s, this narrow asphalt ribbon cuts through volcanic terrain that looks like the moon. "Mauna Loa" means "Long Mountain" in Hawaiian, and you'll understand why as you wind upward with an average 4.98% gradient. The road's rough, patchy surface features a white fog line down the middle—straddle it to avoid your tires on the jagged lava rocks lining the narrow shoulders. Fair warning: don't attempt this if you have heart or respiratory issues. The road gets serious about hazards with warning signs everywhere, and for good reason. It's basically a single lane with blind hills, tight turns, and zero forgiveness if visibility drops. Fill your gas tank before you go—there's nothing at the observatory. The rewards, though? On crystal-clear days, the views are absolutely stunning. You'll spot Mauna Kea, Kohala, Haleakala on Maui, and sometimes even other islands in the distance. The drive winds through Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with plenty of pullouts to stretch your legs and soak it in. Here's the catch: weather can turn on a dime. Fog, clouds, snow, rain, and whiteouts are all possibilities year-round. If conditions start deteriorating, bail out immediately—this road is genuinely dangerous in poor visibility. Winter can bring blizzards and high winds, temperatures drop below freezing at night always, and remember, this is an active volcano (last erupted in 1984). Most of the road is drivable in any 2WD vehicle, but plan your visit for the clearest day possible and respect this mountain's power.