Where is Highwood Pass?
Canada, north-america
140 km
2,217 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for a drive over Highwood Pass! Perched way up at 2,217m (7,273ft) in Alberta's Kananaskis Country, this is supposedly Canada's highest paved road.
Find it just 140 km southwest of Calgary, hanging out in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, south of Lower Kananaskis Lake.
The road, is a 148 km (92 mile) stretch of pavement that'll take you from Kananaskis to Longview.
Heads up: you might find some ice and snow, and the road gets pretty steep in spots (think 7% grades). Oh, and keep an eye out for bears!
This route is usually closed from December to mid-June because of heavy snow and wildlife migrations.
You'll be driving right near the tree line, so get ready for some incredible alpine scenery in the Canadian Rockies. Just a warning, the summit can be super windy, and the weather changes fast.
The drive itself takes about 1.5-2 hours if you don't stop, but trust me, you'll want to! The views are seriously amazing and worth a full day of exploring.
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 140 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,217 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardA truly epic road to Kennebec Pass in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Kennebec Pass in southwest Colorado's La Plata County is a MUST for your bucket list. We're talking serious altitude here – 11,683 feet! You'll find it chilling northwest of Durango, beckoning you towards Snowstorm Peak. County Road 124, a totally unpaved path forged way back in the 1800s by prospectors, is your route to the top. Expect a wild 14.1-mile ride that begins near Hesperus, off US-160. This isn't a Sunday drive, folks. The climb gets intense, with gradients hitting a whopping 15% in spots. You'll probably only need 4WD for the last couple of miles. And heads up: the drop-offs near the summit are HUGE. You’ll definitely want to be comfortable navigating these heights. Plus, traffic is super light, so come prepared with tools and repair kits, just in case. Nestled in the San Juan National Forest, within the La Plata Range, Kennebec Pass flaunts panoramic mountain views that will blow your mind. Keep an eye out for relics of the past – abandoned mining equipment and structures scattered along the route. There’s a convenient parking spot about a mile from the top. The Rocky Mountain scenery from the summit is simply unforgettable. Word to the wise: This road is typically snowed in from late spring to late fall, so plan accordingly!
hardMazuorka Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Mazuorka Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.870m (9,416ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest mountain roads of California. The road to the summit is gravel and rocky. It’s called Mazourka Canyon Road. It’s impassable in winters. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4WD mandatory due to steepness and loose dirt. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. At the summit there are several radio facilities. The road passes many mines and a large wooden loading hopper can be seen at the entrance to the canyon. 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.
easyA drive to the top of Henness Pass in California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Henness Pass, nestled high in the Sierra County of California, a hidden gem northwest of Reno, inside Tahoe National Forest. This isn’t just a drive; it’s a time machine, cutting through historic sites and ruggedly beautiful landscapes! Word has it Patrick Henness himself laid out this route back in the gold rush days, around 1849 or 1850. Back then, it was THE route from Virginia City, Nevada, to Marysville, California. Now, the road itself is an adventure. Some parts are paved (from Highway 89 to Jackson Meadows), but a big chunk is pure forest road. We’re talking mostly a high-clearance two-wheel-drive dirt road, with a few bumpy spots thrown in for good measure. It's a secluded, winding mountain road stretching about 88 to 107 miles, depending on where you jump on, climbing up to a whopping 6,938 feet! You’ll find it labeled as Henness Pass Road (Forest Road 07), linking Highway 49 through the forest until it kisses Highway 89 near Little Truckee Summit and then continues on through the Kyburz Flat area to Verdi, NV. Keep in mind this beauty is usually open from May to November. You might hit some mud or sand, but generally nothing too crazy. But hey, this is the Sierra Nevada! Snow can linger, so be prepared to turn around, pack a shovel just in case, and keep an eye on the weather, especially early in the season.
extremeWhere is The Morrison Jeep Trail?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're craving a true off-road adventure, the Morrison Jeep Trail in Wyoming's Park County needs to be on your radar. Nestled in the Shoshone National Forest, northwest of Cody and southwest of Billings, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Clocking in at 22 miles, this one-lane beast of a trail climbs from the Clarks Fork River valley up to the Beartooth Plateau. And when I say climb, I mean CLIMB. We're talking about topping out at 10,193 feet! Expect this journey to eat up about 7 hours of your day. But the views? Oh, the VIEWS! You'll be traversing some of the most remote and stunning landscapes Wyoming has to offer. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, bears (black AND grizzly!), mountain goats, and bobcats. Just remember, you're out there. Cell service? Forget about it. Now, let's talk about the challenge. This trail is NO JOKE. We're talking heavy rocks, deep ruts, and a whopping 27 switchbacks that'll test your driving skills (and your nerves!). You'll be hugging the edge with drop-offs of hundreds of feet. A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute MUST. And those grades? Some hit a staggering 25 degrees! Keep in mind this road is usually closed from late October to late June/early July due to snow. And trust me, you DO NOT want to tackle this when it's wet or muddy. Those rocky climbs will become your worst nightmare. Speaking of climbs, the altitude up here is real! You'll feel the thinner air, especially on those long, straight grinder sections above 10,000 feet. So, are you ready to put your rig and your skills to the ultimate test? The Morrison Jeep Trail awaits!