I’ve always loved driving—burning through rivers of kilometres without feeling tired or bored.

The movement, the sensation of never being still, the air blasting through the window, the music spat out of the speakers at full volume… they always manage to wake you from the numbness that tags along on certain days. What happens inside our heads during a road trip is something more than just a simple displacement from A to B.

Sometimes, what you see outside is so spectacular that the driving itself becomes the reason that justifies the journey. Some roads, some panoramas that suddenly crack open before your eyes, pierce you like unexpected thunder on a summer night.

I drove this road heading northwest from Wānaka when I tackled Isthmus Peak (LINK). It is a marvelous stretch that hugs the entire western flank of Lake Hāwea, winding through green fields puntuated by white sheep, lakeside beaches, and framed by looming peaks that tower over the straw-yellow tussock fields.

The sign “Road to Paradise” that appears just after the last roundabout leaving Queenstown towards Glenorchy says a lot. This road leads to the trailheads of some of the most dramatic hikes in New Zealand and, hugging the shores of Lake Wakatipu on gentle ups and downs, offers breathtaking panoramas in typical “South Island” style.

This is the road that slices through all the Lofoten Islands in their magnificence. The section between Reine and Ramberg, especially, is among my favourites. The sheer peaks, the countless bridges, and the crystal-clear waters make even a simple bus ride memorable. Plus, the calm and respectful driving style of the Norwegians towards pedestrians keeps the peace of this place intact.

One of the most famous passes in the world. And with good reason. Home to cyclists, drivers, and bikers, it’s often too crowded for my tastes, but the beauty remains immeasurable. The South Tyrolean side is the one that, seen from above, creates the famous serpentine shape photographed by everyone. However, that side is less scenic to drive up because the road is narrow and hemmed in by large protective barriers. The Lombardy side is the memorable one to drive, cutting through open valleys, mountain tunnels, and waterfalls.

This is one of the highest passes in Italy and Europe, straddling the border between Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont. Starting from Ceresole Reale, you climb up a sensational valley of streams and waterfalls through a series of switchbacks where you need to pay serious attention to the wheel because the spectacular view keeps distracting you, dragging your gaze down to the valley. Better to pull over where possible. Pushing on, when the snow allows, you can drive right up to Colle Nivolet at a solid 2,612 m a.s.l., where the view over the lakes and dams is among the most beautiful and probably underrated in Italy.

This isn’t a simple road but the entire ring that covers the outer perimeter of Iceland. Granted, it’s hard to find ugly roads in this land at the edge of the world, but the Ring Road, even if often overloaded with tourists, couldn’t be missing from the list. At least once in a lifetime, I believe it should be covered entirely, or at the very least the southern side.

Located halfway between Cromwell and Omarama, this epic pass offers an experience I will never forget. The impression is of being in a lunar landscape on a rollercoaster that snakes between velvety hills scattered with tussock, which catch fire at sunset. You climb up to the lookout (link) of Lindis Pass and then—down!!!—onto the long final straight, offering a view that brings you back to life. Seriously.

Impressive. I remember the first time, in my rental Toyota Yaris, asking myself how the turquoise colour of Lake Pukaki, which follows the road towards New Zealand’s highest mountain, was even possible. Continuing up to Mount Cook Village, it opens onto gigantic alluvial plains with the chain of the Southern Alps on the horizon, covering about 55 unforgettable kilometres.

Not for the faint of heart. This isn’t a road, it’s a mission. I drove it on a rainy day, wondering if my humble Dacia Duster would be able to cross the small (but real) rivers you find along the way. There are many F-Roads (link) in Iceland, and this is one of the most accessible, but certainly not to be underestimated. If you know how to dance beyond the line of what is marked and safe, these places are for you. I wrote a specific article (link) on my experience, so I won’t drag on. Suffice to know they are among the most incredible routes on our planet.

This road sits in the beating heart of New Zealand: Fiordland. I find it difficult to even speak about this place, because words often empty the meaning of something that isn’t tellable and must be lived on your own skin, especially if tied to intimate and personal emotions.
It is one of the purest, most intact, and wildest areas in the world, described by UNESCO as a “heritage of humanity,” comprising over 1.2 million hectares of deep fiords, steep mountains, and ancient rainforests, with very few traces of modern human presence.
Now, I might say a “blasphemy,” but on my trips to Milford Sound, I appreciated the panoramas along the road more than the cruise on the fiord itself (which is obviously remarkable). Furthermore, some hikes accessible from here are among the most spectacular in the world.

The list will be updated over time if my journey leads me onto roads even more epic than those I have driven up to the moment I am writing this…

And what about you? Which are the most epic roads you’ve ever driven, cycled, or ridden on your motorbike? Let me know in the comments below or on Instagram!