Where is Vermilion Pass?
Canada, north-america
9 km
1,647 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along Vermilion Pass, a seriously stunning mountain route straddling Alberta and British Columbia, right in the heart of Canada. This beauty sits pretty high at 1,647 meters (5,403 feet) above sea level, smack-dab on the Continental Divide within Banff National Park.
Why "Vermilion"? Blame the iron oxide springs nearby – they give everything a reddish hue! Historically, this pass was a hotspot for fur traders and explorers. Now, it’s a paved dream drive: British Columbia Highway 93 (aka the Banff-Windermere Highway).
The whole shebang stretches 105 kilometers (65 miles), winding from Radium Hot Springs in BC to Castle Junction in Alberta.
Word to the wise: You're in the Canadian Rockies, so expect a subarctic climate! Winter means heavy snow and icy roads. Summer? Cool and crisp. Drive carefully and soak in those views!
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,647 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
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.
moderateA challenging 4x4 road to Cerro Potosí, one of the Mexico's highest peaks
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the Nuevo León state of Mexico, nestled within the Sierra Madre Oriental Range, lies Cerro el Potosí, a peak reaching a staggering 3,721m (12,208ft). This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. The road to the top? Pure, unadulterated dirt, carved out back in the '60s to service a microwave relay station. We're talking serious 4x4 territory here, so leave your low-riders at home! Starting near Dieciocho de Marzo, you'll embark on a 27.6 km (17.14 mile) ascent, gaining 1,724m in elevation with an average gradient of 6.24%. Keep an eye on the sky because the weather here can turn on a dime. But trust me, the views? Absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive.
moderateTravelling through the Mulberry Bridge
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! Let me tell you about the Mulberry Bridge in Lincoln County, Tennessee. This old-timer, built way back in 1901, stretches 144 feet across the Elk River. You'll find it on Quarter Road. Now, here's the thing: this beauty isn't exactly a bustling highway anymore. Think restricted access, maybe even closed off to cars. But if you can get a peek, you're in for a treat — it's seriously one of the most spectacular bridges you'll ever see!
moderateHow long is Mosquito Bridge?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through El Dorado County, California, and you stumble upon the legendary Mosquito Bridge. This isn't your average bridge; it's a single-lane, 148-foot-long wooden wonder slung way up high over the South Fork of the American River. They call it the "Swinging Bridge," and you'll feel why! Just a heads up: leave the trailer at home, and make sure your ride is under 5 tons, 25 feet long, and 96 inches wide. It’s not just a shortcut; it’s a scenic spot with views that’ll make you pull over for a photo (or ten).