What are the most spectacular roads in Canada?

Located in the northern part of North America, Canada -the second-largest country in the world- hosts many challenging drives, with more than 100 roads listed as the most spectacular worldwide. With mountains, lakes, rivers and coasts, the country has roads for every driver.

If you’re up for a scenic drive, the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies is a must do. Located in Alberta province, the road through big mountains, glaciers, and deep blue lakes is one of the most scenic drives in the world. But due to the geography of the country, you can tackle some challenging roads, such Coquihalla Highway, one of the worst roads in winter. In spring, summer, or fall, it's a breeze, but in winter, there are at least 400-500 accidents and plenty of fatalities.

If you’re up for a lifetime adventure, try the Trans-Labrador Highway, one of the world's most epic and remote road trips. Located in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, most of the road features a well-packed asphalt/gravel surface, but along the route, drivers will experience sharp curves, winding parts, narrow bridges, and steep grades. And a very scenic yet difficult drive is the Bella Coola Road in British Columbia. It’s a 454-kilometer drive known for its steep grades and scenic views through a very diverse landscape.

Whether it is potholes, traffic congestion, or deteriorated pavement, many of Canada’s highways are in serious need of improvement.

Coquihalla Highway is an extreme freeway located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province. It’s one of the worst roads in all of North America during winters. There were 32 fatal crashes between 2004 and 2013 (according to ICBC). In spring, summer, or fall, it's a breeze, but in winter, there are at least 400-500 accidents and plenty of fatalities.

Alberta Provincial Highway 40 offers a highly picturesque drive through western Alberta, Canada. Various segments of the road feature a combination of paved and gravel sections.

Located in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region, Trans-Labrador Highway (TLH) is a very scenic yet challenging drive. Most of the road features a well-packed asphalt/gravel surface. Along the route, drivers will experience sharp curves, winding parts, narrow bridges, and steep grades. Drive with care, caution, and control.

Bella Coola Road is a 454-kilometer drive in British Columbia, Canada, linking Bella Coola and Williams Lake. Known for its steep grades, this scenic route takes you through diverse landscapes, from desert canyons near the Fraser River to glaciated peaks.

Located in the northern part of the continent of North America, Canada is the second-largest country in the world. Canada's  mountains are a memorable experience, studded with glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons and limestone caves. Mountains can be found all over British Columbia while those in Alberta are mainly concentrated on the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies.

Located in the Alberta province of Western Canada, Icefields Parkway is the name of a very rewarding drive through big mountains, glaciers, and deep blue lakes. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the world.

The Trans-Taiga Road, a 666km stretch in northern Quebec, Canada, connects the James Bay Road to the Caniapiscau Reservoir. This unpaved road, devoid of towns, serves as the most remote accessible location by car in North America.

Heckman Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.524m (5,000ft) above sea level, located in west-central British Columbia, Canada.

Running across miles of desolate Arctic landscape in Canada, Dempster Highway is the only all-weather road to cross the Arctic Circle.

The Great Alaska Highway connects America’s most isolated state with the lower 48. Constructed during World War II it serves as one of the few options to get up north to the Final Frontier without getting on a boat or plane. While driving up to Alaska sounds easy enough, this long voyage is not one to be underestimated.

Smith Dorrien Trail is the name of a very scenic drive located in Kananaskis, in the Alberta province of Canada. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Dettah Ice Road is located in the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. This ice road connects Yellowknife and the small community of Dettah in the winter through the Great Slave Lake.

Kootenay Pass is a high mountain pass, situated at an elevation of 1,782m (5,846ft) above sea level, located in the province of British Columbia, Canada.

Highwood Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,217m (7,273ft) above sea level, located in Kananaskis Country, in the Alberta province of Canada. It’s said to be the highest paved road in the country.

Grey Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.083m (6,833ft) above sea level located in the Regional District of East Kootenay, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It's one of the highest roads in Canada.

Forks Of The Credit Road is a very scenic yet curvy drive, located in Caledon, in the Regional Municipality of Peel in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.

Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road is an ice road located in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Northern Canada. The road, named after the first and the last lakes on the ice road, was built for the first time in 1982. It is a supply route for several gold and diamond mines in the Canadian arctic.

Fort Chipewyan Winter Road is the name of an ice road running through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in all Alberta, in Canada.

Princeton Summerland Road is a very scenic drive located in British Columbia, Canada. It’s a good ride with some nice corners and scenery.

Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road was an ice road in the Northwest Territories of Canada, running across the frozen Mackenzie River and the Arctic Ocean. It was one of the world's northernmost roads.

Route de l'Île d'Anticosti (also known as Henri-Menier Road or Transanticostienne Road) is a very scenic drive on Anticosti Island, in Canada. It’s the island's unpaved main road.

Yoho Valley Road is a very scenic journey located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province. It’s closed from October to June.

Highway 40 is a delightful yet challenging drive located in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The drive is suitable for all vehicles, but expect some narrow sections with 11%-13% grade switchbacks.

Coquihalla Summit is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,249m (4,097ft) above sea level, located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province.

Canoe Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,628m (8,622ft) above sea level, located in east-central British Columbia, Canada. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Sea to Sky Highway is a picturesque cliffside roadway offering access to the most beautiful scenery in British Columbia, Canada. It’s one of the world's most spectacular seaside drives and is a veritable invitation for a road trip.

The Quebec Provincial Highway 389 is a very challenging drive linking the province of Quebec with Newfoundland and Labrador, the most easterly province of Canada. In places, it is narrow and twisty. There are few services.

Located on the northwestern corner of Niagara Falls, in the Canadian province of Ontario, the Screaming Tunnel is a small limestone tunnel that has garnered a reputation as one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world. Local legend has it that the tunnel is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who met a tragic end there. This legend, combined with the eerie atmosphere of the tunnel, attracts curious visitors and paranormal enthusiasts alike.

Riverhurst Crossing is an ice road constructed each year at Riverhurst, allowing vehicles to cross Lake Diefenbaker, a reservoir and bifurcation lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, Canada, is one of the most scenic drives in the world. This scenic roadway straddles northern Victoria County and Inverness County on Cape Breton Island, in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The Cabot Trail is more than a magnificent world-renowned drive – it is an experience… One to delight in… one to be savoured.

Thousand Islands Parkway is a very scenic drive with stunning views located in the Ontario province of Canada.

The remote Top of the World Highway is a very scenic drive between Canada and the U.S. state of Alaska. Built in 1955, the winding road is only open during the summer months.

Located on Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia, Canada, the Pacific Rim Highway is a very scenic drive. Along the way, you can experience the iconic isolation of the area.

Located in Canada, Confederation Bridge is eight miles long and stretches over very, very cold water. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

New Brunswick's Fundy Coast Drive is a very scenic drive along the coastline of New Brunswick, in Canada.

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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.