
When was the Dalton Highway built?
Usa, north-america
666 km
1,444 m
extreme
Year-round
Ready for the ultimate road trip? The Dalton Highway (Alaska Route 11) stretches 414 miles from just north of Fairbanks to Deadhorse, near Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean. Originally built to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, it's now your gateway to Alaska's untouched wilderness.
This isn't your average Sunday drive. The Dalton is mostly a two-lane gravel road, with only 109 miles paved. Expect steep grades up to 16% at Atigun Pass, which sits at 4,739 feet. Giant trucks are the main traffic, so always give them the right of way!
Fuel is scarce – only three places to fill up along the entire route. Headlights are a must, day and night. The landscape? Unforgettable! You'll cruise through forests, tundra, cross the mighty Yukon River, and scale the Brooks Range.
But be warned: this road is isolated. Pack survival gear and know how to use it. Trucks kick up rocks and dust, reducing visibility. The "loneliest road on earth" will test you – but the reward is a journey unlike any other.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 666 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,444 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardA defiant road to Baldy Mountain in ID
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna bag a peak in southeastern Idaho? Then Baldy Mountain, clocking in at 8,320 feet, needs to be on your radar. Perched in the Portneuf Range within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, getting to the top is an adventure in itself. Road W, your path to glory, is a rugged, unpaved beast. We're talking slow going, folks. Forget about it from late October through at least late June – Mother Nature has other plans then. You absolutely need a 4WD with high clearance for this trek. From Thunder Mountain Road, it's a 3.91-mile climb to the top, gaining a hefty 1,847 feet in elevation. That's an average gradient of almost 9%! The views? Totally worth the bumpy ride. Just be prepared for a steep, rocky challenge!
hardLone Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so picture this: Lone Peak in southwest Montana, towering over Big Sky Resort at almost 9,700 feet. Getting to the very top isn't your typical Sunday drive, though! Forget smooth asphalt—we're talking a legit unpaved mountain road; gravel, rocky, and bumpy enough to keep you on your toes. You'll need a 4x4, for sure. This isn’t a beginner trail, friends. Expect some seriously steep sections and muddy conditions if it's been raining. Oh, and did I mention the heights? Not for the faint of heart! But if you're an experienced off-roader looking for incredible views, this could be your next epic adventure. Just remember, it's a no-go in the winter.
easyCabot Trail
🇨🇦 Canada
# The Cabot Trail The Cabot Trail is an absolutely stunning 298-kilometer loop that wraps around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. Named after explorer John Cabot (who allegedly landed here back in 1497), this scenic drive circles through Cape Breton Highlands National Park and showcases some of the most jaw-dropping coastal views you'll find anywhere in eastern North America. You'll climb from sea level all the way up to over 450 meters, weaving through thick boreal forests, towering coastal cliffs, and charming communities with deep Acadian and Scottish roots. The really show-stopping sections? Definitely the parts cutting through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where the road clings to cliffsides high above the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. French Mountain and MacKenzie Mountain deliver the steepest climbs and most incredible vistas—think dramatic switchbacks leading to breathtaking plateaus where you can see forever across the ocean and forested highlands. Keep your eyes peeled for moose (especially at sunrise and sunset) and whales (June through September are prime viewing months). What makes this drive extra special is the cultural tapestry you'll experience. The western coast features charming Acadian French-speaking villages, while towns like Englishtown and Baddeck celebrate Scottish Gaelic heritage. Plus, you'll pass through Mi'kmaq First Nations communities. Each area has its own flavors, music, and traditions worth exploring. If you time it right for mid-October, the fall colors here are honestly some of the most spectacular in eastern Canada—think blazing reds, oranges, and golds everywhere. The trail stays open year-round, though some spots close during winter, and you'll want to watch out for Nova Scotia's notorious storms when they roll through.
hardGroundhog Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Groundhog Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.379m (11,085ft) above the sea level, located in Dolores County, in Colorado, USA. Located in the San Miguel Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains, the road to the summit is gravel and rocky. It’s called Forest Service Road 534. 4x4 vehicle recommended. It’s usually impassable from November to May. Altitude and extreme weather are always a factor at any time of year. It suffers the harsh meteorological conditions of the area every winter. Due to the high elevations and exposure, the road is subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes. Walnut Canyon Desert Drive is a scenic loop road to Carlsbad Caverns 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.