Where is Skyline Drive?
Usa, north-america
4.1 km
137 m
hard
Year-round
Skyline Drive is one of Colorado’s hidden gems. It’s a one-way, narrow road with precipices on one side, the other, or both at all times.
Where is Skyline Drive?
The road is located to the west of Cañon City, in Fremont County, in the central part of Colorado.
How long is Skyline Drive in CO?
Skyline Drive is one-way and entirely paved. It's 4.1 km (2.6 miles) long and runs west-east from U.S. 50 to Floral Avenue, in a residential neighborhood of Cañon City. Skyline Drive is free to access.
When was Skyline Drive in Colorado built?
This single-lane road atop a knife-edge hilltop above Cañon City was built in 1905 by inmates from the nearby prison to provide residents and visitors unparalleled views of the city.
Sixty inmates of the Territorial Prison began work on the road under the direction of Warden John Cleghorn. For every month the convicts worked on the road, they were awarded 10 days off their sentence. Funding for the project was provided by the project’s committee, which raised more than $2,000 for the effort.
Is Skyline Drive in Colorado dangerous?
The road is quite demanding. Be aware that this drive is not for timid drivers or those afraid of heights.
It's not suitable for those who have never experienced a high road with cliff edges. Along the way, you'll drive on a road that ascends and follows the top of a ridge. This road is quite narrow, and the drop-offs (450 ft) on each side can be intimidating, so it should not be attempted by large vehicles like motorhomes.
It's a very steep drive with room for only one car to go up. There is no turning around if you change your mind. There are no guardrails, and at some points, it slopes down on both sides. You are literally on a little strip of roadway on top of a mountain. It may be closed for bad weather or ice. Vehicles over 20 feet are not allowed.
How long does it take to drive Skyline Drive in Cañon City?
It’s a short scenic drive across a razorback ridge in Cañon City. To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 12 and 15 minutes.
Its panoramic views of Cañon City and the Arkansas River Valley are breathtaking, so allow about one hour to explore Skyline Drive with stops. There are many places to stop off and take in the incredible scenery as well as photographs.
Dinosaur footprints were discovered along it in 2001. You can see a series of Cretaceous Ankylosaur tracks made by a group of dinosaurs walking side-by-side through mud.
Annie's Road in New Jersey is haunted by the ghost of a girl
Mount Antero in Colorado is one of the highest roads of North America
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.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 4.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 137 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhen was Bow Pass in Alberta built?
🇨🇦 Canada
Bow Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.088m (6,850ft) above sea level, located in the Canadian province of Alberta. It's one of the highest roads of the country. When was Bow Pass in Alberta built? Located within the Banff National Park, on the western part of Alberta, the road was completed in 1940. Is Bow Pass in Alberta paved? The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called (also known as Highway 93 north), the highest road in Canada’s national parks. A minor paved road, west of the pass, climbs up to How long is Bow Pass in Alberta? The pass is 75.8 km (47.09 miles) long, running south-north from Lake Louise to Saskatchewan River Crossing. Is Bow Pass in Alberta open? Set high in the Waputik Range, part of the Canadian Rockies, the pass is the highest point on the road. It is typically open all year round but snow can be expected at any time of year and extreme weather is common in winter Is Bow Pass in Alberta worth it? The drive is very scenic and the views cannot be captures in photos. It’s an impressive example of road engineering, producing better and better scenery as you climb higher. It does get busier at weekends and in the main holiday season. The parkway is busy in July and August with up to 100,000 vehicles a month. Lytton-Lillooet Highway is a scenic drive along the Fraser river Saskatchewan Highway 955 is worth the white-knuckle drive 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.
hardWhere is Yaqui Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Yaqui Pass! You'll find this gem nestled in sunny San Diego County, California, just west of Ocotillo Wells within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Yaqui Pass Road (County Highway S3) is a fully paved route clocking in at around 6.8 miles. Don't let the pavement fool you, though – this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. Get ready for a climb with grades ranging from 4-10%! The road hugs the canyon walls with plenty of twists and turns, so keep your eyes peeled for other vehicles and cyclists. But here's the payoff: the views are simply incredible. You'll be treated to sweeping vistas as you wind your way up to 1,725 feet above sea level. This route links CA-78 to Borrego Springs Road and makes for a memorable desert adventure!
extremeWhy Are Costa Rica’s Roads So Dangerous?
🌍 Costa Rica
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up because we're heading to Costa Rica to tackle Cerro de la Muerte—the "Hill of Death"! Part of the Pan-American Highway (Ruta 2), this isn't your average scenic drive. This stretch boasts the highest elevation on the entire Pan-American Highway, nearing 11,000 feet. The views? Absolutely breathtaking. But don't let the scenery distract you. Before it was a road for cars, people walked, rode horses or mules, and sometimes faced heavy rains, billowing winds, and freezing temperatures. We're talking narrow, winding roads clinging to the sides of cliffs, with crosses marking the spots where things went wrong. Think hairpin turns and blind curves galore. And while it's paved, don't expect pristine conditions. We're talking potholes that could swallow your car whole, and, oh yeah, absolutely NO guardrails between you and a very long drop. And let's not forget Costa Rica's rainy season (May to November). While the beginning months may be dry, these downpours can trigger landslides in the mountains, making an already precarious situation even more dicey, potentially closing routes for months. So, if you're feeling brave and want to experience one of the world's most intense drives, Cerro de la Muerte is calling your name. Just remember to take it slow, stay alert, and maybe say a little prayer before you go. The dry season will be your best bet for a safer, more predictable journey. Happy (and safe) travels!
moderateWhere is Walker Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for Walker Pass! This high mountain pass sits pretty at 5,259 feet in Kern County, California. You'll find it in the northeastern part of the county, connecting the San Joaquin Valley to the Mojave Desert. It’s named after Joseph R. Walker, a mountain man who blazed a trail through here back in the day. This route became super important during the Gold Rush. Now, about the drive: it's along California State Route 178, and it's paved the whole way. This two-lane road winds and twists for about 19.4 miles between Canebrake and Freeman Village. Because it's high up in the southern Sierra Nevada, you get some killer views. Most of the year, it's open, but winter weather can sometimes close it temporarily. Keep an eye out for rockfalls too - those are a year-round hazard!