Where is the Old Spiral Highway?

Where is the Old Spiral Highway?

Usa, north-america

Length

11.74 km

Elevation

272 m

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Old Spiral Highway is said to be one of the best motorcycle roads in the US state of Idaho. The very twisty road, with 64 curves, is short, curvy, smooth, and most definitely sweet.

Where is the Old Spiral Highway?

The road is located on the north side of the Clearwater River in Lewiston, the county seat of Nez Perce County, in the northern-central part of Idaho, near the border of Washington state.

How long is Old Spiral Highway?

The Old Spiral Highway is only 11.74km (7.3 miles) long.

When was the Old Spiral Highway built?

Originally constructed in 1917, this historic road, also known as the Old Lewiston Grade, takes 64 turns to traverse 2000 feet of elevation change. This road served as the only route for traffic until 1977 when US-95 was constructed.

It was considered a huge feat in engineering and a breakthrough at the time. The road was the subject of the 1950s rock n' roll song called "Hot Rod Lincoln".

Where does Old Spiral Highway start and end?

The road runs south-north from ID-128 road at 272m above sea level to US-95 road at 822m above sea level. The elevation gain is 550 meters. The average gradient is 4.68%. The road hits a 13% maximum gradient through some of the ramps.

What is the curviest road in Idaho?

Old Spiral Highway is fully paved. Nicknamed Idaho’s windiest road, it’s not an easy drive, with uncountable turns and twists. This old 2-lane alignment of US Route 95 heads up the breathtaking 2000 ft tall grade in a very short 8 miles.

The road is loaded with twists and turns and dramatic switchbacks. It is also freshly repaved - too good to be true. This short and technical motorcycle route is certainly one of the best rides in the area.

With over 60 curves and a steadily steep elevation grade, this road is for drivers who are up for a bit of a challenge. It’s best attempted by those who don't get dizzy very easily.

Weston Pass in Colorado: The Road to Riches

Old Cascade Tunnel in Washington is haunted by ghosts

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.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
11.74 km
Max Elevation
272 m
Difficulty
easy

Related Roads in north-america

Forest Road 514moderate

Forest Road 514

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Let's talk about FR514, a hidden gem nestled high in Utah's Piute County. Seriously, this road is way up there – one of the highest in the whole state! We're talking a roughly 2.3-mile stretch of well-maintained gravel that climbs to a dizzying 10,564 feet above sea level. The views? Epic! Think panoramic vistas and that "top of the world" feeling. Now, a word to the wise: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Snow can shut this beauty down in winter, so always check conditions before you go. And while the gravel's generally good, this isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. You'll want to be comfortable navigating unpaved surfaces. But trust me, the reward is worth it!

The hairpinned road to Barranca de Beltranhard

The hairpinned road to Barranca de Beltran

🇲🇽 Mexico

Want to trade city life for ocean breezes? The Barranca de Beltrán roads (that's both Mexico 54D and the OG Mexico 54) are your ticket from Guadalajara to the Pacific paradise of Manzanillo (and Colima, too!). The real showstopper? The Beltrán canyon area. Zoom across towering bridges on the toll road (they're even building more!), or take the "libre" route for a wild ride with five hairpin turns. The views are insane – think dramatic canyons dwarfed by those massive toll bridges overhead. But wait, there's more! Get ready for epic vistas of the Nevado de Colima mountain and the Colima volcano. The landscape is a total chameleon, morphing from coconut palms near Manzanillo to lush rainforest near Colima, and even stretches of desert near the Sayula lagoon. Quick heads-up: the road to Urique is best avoided due to safety concerns. And if you're up for another thrilling adventure, check out Bajada a Xichu for unreal views of the Sierra Madre Oriental.

Travel guide to the top of Coal Bank Pass in Coloradohard

Travel guide to the top of Coal Bank Pass in Colorado

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so picture this: Coal Bank Pass, sitting pretty at 10,640 feet in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. You'll find it south of Silverton, right on U.S. Highway 550 – aka the legendary Million Dollar Highway! This pass is totally paved, making it a smooth ride for most cars. Think of it as the chillest of the three high-mountain passes around here, right after Molas and Red Mountain Pass. Heads up, though! The south side has some seriously steep sections dropping down towards Durango. We're talking a consistent 6.5% grade with some ramps hitting 8%! Thankfully, there's a runaway truck ramp, just in case. You can tackle this pass year-round, but winter is a whole different ballgame. Snowfall can get intense, leading to restrictions and closures. But hey, if you're lucky enough to catch it on a clear day, the views are unreal. The San Juan National Forest is pure eye candy – think American Alps vibes!

Wickiup Passmoderate

Wickiup Pass

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, let's talk Wickiup Pass! Nestled high in Utah's Garfield County, this beast of a pass tops out at a cool 9,255 feet. We're talking about BLM 14635, a road that laughs in the face of pavement. Seriously, it's rough, rocky, steep, and a true test of your off-road skills. Expect a windy, twisty, single-lane experience where you'll be VERY grateful for that 4WD with high clearance. Winter? Forget about it. Wet conditions? Hard pass. Heights aren't your thing? Maybe skip this one. But if you're brave enough to tackle it, Wickiup Pass carves right through the stunning Henry Mountains. Word to the wise: Mother Nature's got a wicked sense of humor up here. Expect high winds, sudden weather changes, and even snow in summer! Basically, pack for anything and everything, and get ready for an unforgettable ride. (Pic & video credit: AtomicGeo)