The 10 Most Scenic Road Trips In the World
The German Alpine Route
You’ll love:
The grandiose landscapes of lakes and mountains, the charm of painted houses, castles worthy of a fairy tale.
Location: Southern Germany, in Bavaria
Route: Lindau – Berchtesgaden
Length: About 310 mi (500 km)
Time: 1 week
The Deutsche Alpenstrasse stretches approximately 310 mi (500 km) south of Munich, from Lindau (near Lake Constance) to Berchtesgaden (on the Austrian border). Along the way, you’ll pass forests, lakes, and snow-capped peaks. The dazzling green pastures, famous castles, and traditional houses adorned with flowers all make this an unmissable tour. Visitors here will find a romantic region strong in Bavarian traditions.
Uncover endless road trip inspiration with our brand-new guide:
Get inspired with 40 of the world’s most incredible road trips, with bucket-list drives in the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This stunning, hardcover book is packed with full-color photos, charming illustrations, and fascinating overviews of each route, making it the perfect gift for dreamers and adventurers alike.
Cruise along the historic Blues Highway in the American South, drive the epic Ruta 40 to Patagonia, or stop for a hike as you road-trip along the Canadian Rockies. Drive to Namibia’s jaw-dropping Victoria Falls, follow the Alsace Wine Route, or hug the Amalfi Coast and soak up views of the Mediterranean. Drive past fjords in Norway, vast rice fields in Indonesia, or the misty, rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
Filled with natural wonders, bucket-list sites, epic outdoor adventures, and cultural treasures, Wanderlust Road Trips is the definitive book for the adventurous road tripper.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
The Heart of the Canadian Rockies
You’ll love:
The grandiose landscapes, the flora and fauna, the great outdoors.
Location: Western Canada, in the heart of the Rockies
Route: Banff – Jasper
Length: About 200 mi (300 km), including 140 mi (230 km) on the famous Icefields Parkway (Highway 93).
Time: A day if you’re in a hurry, but that would be a shame! One week will let you take advantage of the many stops for hiking, rafting, and more.
Banff to Jasper is a traveler’s dream! The crossing of the Rockies follows one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Covering nearly 200 mi (300 km), unforgettable panoramas of chiseled and grandiose landscapes follow one another: sparkling blue lakes, rivers, forests as far as the eye can see, peaks with sharp ridges, waterfalls, and glaciers. The land is also home to varied and abundant wildlife—bears, caribou, elk, and more. The stage is set for an unforgettable road trip in a land of pioneers, where the magic of the great outdoors is still alive.
- Strategic, flexible itineraries in the national parks, including a two-week Canadian Rockies road trip
- The best hikes in the Canadian Rockies: Find the right trek for you with details on length, elevation gains, difficulty levels, and trailheads
- Can’t-miss outdoor experiences: Hike to incredible vistas and try to spot moose, bighorn sheep, wolves, and black bears. Soak in a natural hot spring after a day on the slopes or wander through meadows of colorful wildflowers. Ride across the Columbia Icefield in an Ice Explorer, float through the sky in a mountain gondola, or white-water raft down rivers of snowmelt. Go horseback riding though the Tonquin Valley or fish for your own fresh dinner and camp under the stars
- Expert insight from Banff local Andrew Hempstead on when to go, where to eat, and where to stay, from campgrounds to luxurious mountain lodges
- Full-color photos, detailed maps of each park, and handy directions, including driving times and mileages, and coverage of gateway towns
- Background information on the landscape, culture, history, wildlife, and environment
- In-depth coverage of Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and nearby cities of Banff, Canmore, Jasper, Calgary, Radium Hot Springs, Golden, and Kananaskis Country
Hitting the road? Try Moon U.S. and Canadian Rockies Road Trip. Focusing on the parks? Check out Moon Best of Glacier, Banff, and Jasper.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
Around the Scottish Highlands
You’ll love:
Deserted moors, wild lochs, historic castles, white sand beaches, torrential wind and rain.
Location: Northwest Scotland
Route: Loop from Inverness
Length: About 900 miles (1,448 km)
Time: 10 days to 2 weeks
Far north, hardly closer to London than the Arctic Circle, the Highlands form the spiritual heart of Scotland. This is where people still speak (a little) Gaelic, where sheep frolic in the scenic moors, and tales of monsters abound. Whisky is imbibed like beer and ghosts cheerfully haunt the castles. It’s a land of legends, beauty, and adventure.
- Flexible itineraries including a journey through the Highlands and islands, day-by-day itineraries in Glasgow and Edinburgh, a tour of Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites, and more
- Strategic advice, whether you’re looking to castle-hop, trace your ancestry, go cliff-diving, or stroll through misty villages
- Must-see highlights and unique experiences: Walk along Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, or climb the Arthur’s Seat peak. Explore Neolithic burial chambers and rugged archipelagos in the north, follow the Malt Whisky Trail in Speyside, or hop on the West Highland Railway, one of the world’s most beautiful train rides. Catch a traditional music performance in Glasgow or chat with locals at a corner pub over folk music and a pint. Hike through wild moors and pine forests to deserted villages on Skye, play one of the oldest golf courses in the world, or take a seaplane over Loch Lomond for dramatic views of the Highlands
- Honest tips from Scotland expert Sally Coffey
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Background information on Scotland’s landscape, history, and cultural customs
- In-depth coverage of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southern, Central, and Northeast Scotland, Loch Lomond, Inverness, Orkney & Shetland, the Central Highlands and the Isle of Skye, and the Outer Hebrides
Continuing your journey? Check out Moon Ireland.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
Ruta 40 toward Patagonia
You’ll love:
The vast lakes, breathtaking landscapes, delicious craft beer and chocolate, and numerous hiking possibilities.
Location: Southern Argentina, through the regions of Rio Negro, Chubut, and Santa Cruz
Route: San Martín de Los Andes – El Calafate
Length: 1,000 mi (1,600 km )
Time: Allow at least 1 week, or even 10 days, to enjoy the many national parks and hikes that Patagonia has to offer.
Patagonia is a dream destination for adventurers of all stripes. Synonymous with endless spaces, wild lands, and the end of the world, Patagonia is above all a desert territory, with less than one inhabitant per square mile. This land fascinates, with its wide-open spaces and the diversity, beauty, and richness of the ecosystem it supports. As you gaze over the horizon from the desert plains to the Andes Mountain range, it’s hard to remain unmoved by the serene beauty of these skies, mountains and high lakes, and jagged coasts. From San Martín de Los Andes to the famous glacier Perito Moreno, Argentina’s Ruta 40 is filled with wonders.
- Flexible itineraries including ten days exploring the best of the region, classic Patagonia road trips, and more
- Outdoor adventures: Hike the glacier of Perito Moreno National Park, see penguins and marine mammals off the coast of the Falkland Islands, and go horseback riding through the Torres mountains
- The top sights and unique experiences: Glimpse Patagonia’s ancient past at Cueva de las Manos or visit Chile’s lakes district to learn more about the Mapuche people. Savor authentic asado at a local ranch, sample seafood in Santiago, and take a tango lesson in Buenos Aires
- Expert author and world traveler Wayne Bernhardson shares his perspective on his favorite place on earth
- Full-color, vibrant photos throughout
- Detailed maps and useful tips for getting around and exploring on your own
- Focused coverage of Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Northern Argentine Patagonia, the Chilean Lakes District, Aisén and Continental Chiloé, Southern Argentine Patagonia, Magallanes, Argentine Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands
- Thorough background information on the landscape, culture, history, and environment
Want to see more of South America? Check out Moon Chile or Moon Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
Up to Victoria Falls
You’ll love:
The wide-open spaces, the excellent condition of the roads and tracks, Africa on a plateau, the rich and unafraid wildlife, the climax of Victoria Falls.
Location: Southern Africa
Route: Windhoek – Victoria Falls
Length: About 1,800 mi (3,000 km)
Time: 2-3 weeks
Southern Africa has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination, especially Namibia and its neighbor Botswana, both beloved for their wilderness. There’s no longer any reason to hesitate: Rent a big 4WD with a roof tent to crisscross through the Namib Desert, following the trail of the rhinoceros in Etosha National Park, and slaloming between the elephants in Chobe. At the end of the road, you’ll find the spray and rainbows of the famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. What an adventure!
The Amalfi Coast
You’ll love:
The hazy and changing light along the road, the vibrant colors of the facades, the fragrant gardens, the little niches with Madonna statues that light up in the evening in the crevices of the rocks, the spaghetti with sea urchins.
Location: Southern Italy, Campania
Route: Sorrento – Vietri sul Mare (Salerno)
Length: 15 mi (25 km) for the classified road; 47 mi (75 km) from Sorrento to Salerno
Time: Half a day or more, depending on your preferences and accommodation options.
Suspended between sky and sea, the Amalfi Coast Road wraps around small pastel-colored fishing ports and chic resorts in southern Italy. Fifteen mi (25 km) of this road is listed by UNESCO, traveling around villages of the Lattari Mountains, steep coves, and terraced gardens that smell of jasmine and lemon. Visit during low season for unforgettable landscapes and fewer crowds.
- Flexible itineraries for spending five to seven days on the Amalfi Coast, whether you want to island-hop in the Gulf of Naples or spend your days hiking and sunbathing in Amalfi
- Must-see highlights and unique experiences: Swim in turquoise waters, relax on sun-soaked beaches, or hop on a boat and cruise past cliffs, coves, and secret caves. Go underground to see ancient ruins in Naples or climb the towers of medieval castles. Take a day trip to Pompeii and hike to the top of Mount Vesuvius, ride a chairlift to the summit of Monte Solaro, or unwind in the natural hot springs that dot the island of Ischia
- The best local flavors: Stroll quiet village streets where the scent of Sunday ragù fills the air, feast on fresh seafood steps from the Mediterranean, sip local limoncello on a sunny terrace, and chow down on authentic Neapolitan pizza
- Honest suggestions from Amalfi local Laura Thayer on where to stay, what to eat, and how to get around
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Background information on the landscape, history, and cultural customs of the Amalfi Coast
- Handy tools including an Italian phrasebook and tips for seniors and traveling with children
Exploring more of Italy? Check out Moon Southern Italy or Moon Rome, Florence & Venice.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
The Pacific Coast Highway
You’ll love:
The sweetness of California and the superb panoramas from the jagged coasts.
Location: California’s west coast
Route: Santa Barbara – Monterey
Length: 230 mi (380 km)
Time: One day is enough to reach Monterey from Santa Barbara, but why rush? Take a few days to enjoy the many dreamy sights along this route.
Stretching a total of 650 mi (1,000 km) between San Diego and San Francisco, California State Route 1 (or Highway 1) is part of a select club of the most beautiful roads in the world. Experience the California way of life as the state’s beautiful coastline unrolls in front of you. The stretch between Santa Barbara and Monterey offers spectacular scenery between two charming towns. Depart from Santa Barbara, among the palm trees, to take El Camino Real, the route of the old Spanish missions. Farther on, Highway 1 continues in solitude. Sprayed by the waves of the Pacific, the road rises, twisting up the side of the coast, hugging cliffs, and winding past hidden coves with golden sand and forests of sequoias. A true ode to wild California.
- Flexible itineraries: Drive the entire three-week route or follow suggestions for shorter regional getaways in Washington, Oregon, and California
- Eat, sleep, stop and explore: With lists of the best beaches, views, seafood restaurants, and more, you’ll cruise by sky-scraping redwoods, misty rainforests, and the black sands of the Lost Coast. Slurp fresh-caught oysters, order up authentic street tacos, or kick back with a craft beer. Hike among the tallest trees on Earth, go whale-watching, tour Seattle’s underground old city, and winery-hop in scenic Santa Barbara
- Maps and driving tools: 44 easy-to-use maps keep you oriented on and off the highway, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, detailed directions for the entire route, and full-color photos throughout
- Local expertise: Californian Ian Anderson shares his love of the open road
- Planning your trip: Know when and where to get gas, how to avoid traffic, tips for driving in different road and weather conditions, and suggestions for seniors, travelers with disabilities, and road trippers with kids
Looking for other scenic road trips in America? Try The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
New Zealand’s Milford Road
You’ll love:
The feeling of entering a nearly inaccessible area, the rain forest, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, and the majesty of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi.
Location: Extreme south of South Island
Route: Te Anau – Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Length: 90 mi (150 km)
Time: 3 to 4 hours minimum
At the end of South Island, the peaks of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana slide straight toward the Tasman Sea with a backdrop of exuberant vegetation, watered by rainfall that is frequent—to say the least. The ocean infiltrates here in a collection of deep, isolated, and nearly inaccessible fjords. A single small winding road ventures into the region to access the most beautiful of them all: Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. This dive into Fiordland National Park, part of the Te Wahipounamu reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a life-changing experience.
- Strategic, flexible itineraries, including a trip to experience both the North and South Islands in 16 days
- The top spots for outdoor adventures, like surfing, mountain biking, and trekking the Great Walks, as well as tips for taking an epic road trip. Go bungee jumping or paragliding, soak in refreshing thermal pools, or embark on a multi-day trek to rugged coasts, glacial valleys, volcanoes, and fjords
- Can’t-miss sights and unique experiences: Cruise the hypnotic black waters of the Milford Sound, spot wild dolphins, kiwis, and blue penguins, and explore the sprawling Waitomo Caves lit by twinkling glowworms. Sample local sauvignon blancs in Marlborough and craft beers in Wellington, or sip cider in the Shire. Learn about Polynesian culture and history, marvel at Māori carvings, and experience a traditional hangi meal
- How to experience New Zealand like an insider, support local and sustainable businesses, avoid crowds, and respectfully engage with indigenous culture, with expert insight from Auckland local Jamie Christian Desplaces
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout, plus a full-color detachable map
- Essential background information on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and history, as well as common customs and etiquette
- Travel tips: When to go, how to get around, and where to stay, plus advice for seniors, families with children, visitors with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ travelers
Visiting more of the South Pacific? Check out Moon Tahiti & French Polynesia.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
Iceland’s Ring Road
You’ll love:
The untouched landscapes, swimming in hot springs, fjords, whales.
Location: Around Iceland
Route: Loop from Reykjavík
Length: 828 mi (1,332 km)
Time: 10 days to 2 weeks
Touring an entire country on one road? It’s possible in Iceland. Driving the Ring Road (Route 1, Þjóðvegurinn in Icelandic) between crumpled lava fields and horse-grazing valleys connects you to a multitude of adventures. To the south, it even skims a few fjords, touches wild black-sand beaches, and nears the largest glacier in Europe, the Vatnajökull. This country road promises the best of Iceland in one trip.
- Strategic, flexible itineraries, from a three-day tour of Reykjavík to a weeklong best of Iceland, plus a nine-day road trip on the famed Ring Road
- Unique experiences and can’t-miss highlights: Drive past quaint towns and enormous fjords, hike through Iceland’s majestic national parks, and bask in the shimmering glow of the northern lights. Stroll Reykjavík’s busy streets, listen to up-and-coming bands at uniquely themed venues, and kick back with a handcrafted Icelandic beer at a local hangout
- The top outdoor activities: Search for seals, whales, and porpoises off the coast or spot arctic wildlife like puffins and reindeer onshore. Trek across a mighty glacier, hike the rim of a remote volcano, and relax in the milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. Explore crystalline ice caves and mineral-rich lava tubes or catch a rainbow glimmering over a thundering waterfall
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Honest advice from Reykjavík local Jenna Gottlieb on what to eat, where to stay, and when to go, including tips for traveling during the winter
- Handy tools including an Icelandic phrasebook and essential background information on the landscape, history, and culture
Heading to Scandinavia? Check out Moon Norway.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
Mount Teide Volcanic Route
You’ll love:
The volcanic landscapes and their incredible colors, the subtropical flora, the canyons, the ascent to the top—on foot or by funicular.
Location: Canary Islands, Tenerife Island
Route: La Laguna – Santiago del Teide
Length: 60 mi (96 km)
Time: You’ll need at least a day to explore the park by car, but 2 days is more reasonable.
This volcanic road takes you to the center of the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The slopes of the Teide, the world’s third largest volcano, offer the most unusual landscapes in the heart of a national park classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Culminating at 12,198 ft (3,718 m), the snowcapped summit of Teide overlooks sumptuous subtropical flora and black and red lava landscapes, under an eternal spring at 72°F (22°C) on average. With more than 3 million annual visitors, the Teide is a truly unmissable sight.
Dreaming about the next adventure? Check out the original Wanderlust:
Get inspired with lists of mythic locations, epic trails, ancient cities, and more that span the globe. This stunning, hardcover book is packed with full-color photos, charming illustrations, and fascinating overviews of each destination, making it the perfect gift for dreamers and adventurers alike.
Walk along the Great Wall of China, climb the Atlas Mountains, or trek through Patagonia. Visit stunning national parks from Yellowstone in the US to Tongariro in New Zealand, explore the Gobi Desert, or set sail to the Greek Islands.
Eat your way through the best street food cities in the world, follow wine trails from Spain to Australia, and shop famous markets from the Grand Bazaar to the Marrakech souks.
Find the best places to stargaze from Chile to France, or witness jaw-dropping phenomena from reversing rivers and blooming deserts to fluorescent blue haze and the Aurora Borealis.
Filled with natural wonders, dazzling celebrations, quirky festivals, road trips, bucket-list sites, epic outdoor adventures, and cultural treasures, Wanderlust is the definitive book for the curious traveler.
Where will you go?
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
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