7 of the most fascinating streets in the world – and what makes them special

They run along the coast, through the mountains and through the middle of San Francisco – these are six of the most spectacular streets in the world.

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Anyone who travels sets out to experience something. Sometimes you can even die from your own car or while taking a leisurely walk. There are numerous outstanding roads that are not only transport links but tourist attractions in themselves. Some of them are in Europe, others in America or Asia, some of these roads run through the mountains, others along the coast. Here are six of the most spectacular roads in the world.

Atlantic Road in Norway

It is one of the most bridge-rich roads in the world – the Norwegian Atlantic Road. No wonder that they have also been the backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters like Black widow (2021) or the James Bond film No time to die (2021) War. If you want to experience the same feeling as action heroes from the cinema, you can drive on this section of the coastal road between Molde and Kristiansund. Eight bridges connect several small islands along the route, which is a tourist attraction with numerous viewing platforms. These are particularly protected against weather and floods, as the Atlantic can develop strong currents here.

The route was originally planned for a railway line, but this idea was rejected in 1935. After that, the plans were on hold until the 1970s. Construction began in 1983 and the line opened on July 7, 1989. The long journey to the completed Atlantic Road was rewarded: in 2005, the Norwegians chose the road as the building of the century.

Bregagh Road (“Dark Hedges”) in Northern Ireland

Another film-worthy motif is Bregagh Road in Northern Ireland. Here, too, this is to be understood literally, because the avenue lined with beech trees was featured in the spectacular, multi-award-winning HBO series game of Thrones (2011-2019) can be seen as the silver bullet. The people of County Antrim also call them “Dark Hedges”. However, the practice is in danger because many of the trees are seriously damaged – six of the books had to be cut down in 2023 because they could no longer be saved. Since the trees have been damaged primarily by traffic on the road, there has been a ban on regular car traffic on Bregagh Road since 2017.

A local legend also says that the avenue is said to be haunted by a ghost, the Gray Lady. This is said to be either the daughter of James Stuart, who built Gracehill House in 1775. Today’s Bregagh Road is the former access to the property. The daughter’s ghost is also referred to as “Cross Peggy”. Other interpretations suggest that the Gray Lady is a housemaid who died under mysterious circumstances, or a soul from an abandoned cemetery in the surrounding fields.

Lombard Street in the USA

We’ll stick with film-worthy terrain. With its numerous hilly streets, San Francisco is a popular filming location, especially for car chases, such as in the Dirty Harry-Film, The rock (1996) or Presidium (1988). However, Lombard Street does not appear in any of these titles, which was almost surprising in the latter since the western end ended in the Presidio area of ​​the title. Hollywood hits set against high-speed chases on Lombard Street are the screwball comedy classic Was that it, Doc? (1972) and the Marvel spectacle Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018).

Lombard Street is characterized by eight hairpin bends on the section between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets that leads down Russian Hill. This section is considered the windiest road in the world, which is why there is a maximum speed of 5 miles per hour (approx. 8 km/h). It is also a one-way street that can only be used from the upper end towards the lower eastern end. The gradient is 27 percent, which is why you cover a height difference of 33 meters over a distance of 145 meters. Given this spectacular route, it’s no wonder that Lombard Street (or at least the stretch) is a popular destination for tourists and car enthusiasts.

Trollstigen in Norway

Hairpin bends are also a characteristic feature of the Trollstigen mountain road (German: “Trollsteig”). There are a total of eleven of them there, named after people who were involved in the construction of the road between 1928 and 1936; Most of them are the names of workers. The gradient on the popular tourist road, which leads from Isterdalen up to a mountain pass, is twelve percent.

However, Trollstigen is more inhospitable than other roads on this list. Due to weather conditions, it is closed during the winter and is only accessible in the summer season (usually from May to October). This is absolutely necessary for safety reasons as there is a risk of avalanches; Many spectacular mountain roads in Austria are also closed to traffic in winter. In addition, the roads are very narrow in some places, almost single-lane, but can be used in both directions. However, this does not affect the popularity of Trollstigen among tourists. No wonder: from the Utsikten viewing platform at the top you have a magnificent view of Trollstigen and the mountain panorama.

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Carding La in India

Kardung La, also known as Kardung Pass, is an exception simply because of its location. And a record holder: probably the highest street in the world. The height of the pass was given as 5,604 meters, although more recent measurements put it at 5,360 meters. But that is still one meter more than the second highest pass in the world, Taglang La, which is also in India. Especially since its alleged height of 5,359 meters is also in doubt, but has not yet been checked by external scientists.

But regardless of whether the Kardung La rightly adorns itself with the title of the most passable pass in the world: the view on the 39 kilometer long road in the Ladakh district in northwest India is sensational. However, this view has its price: the air at this high altitude is thin, and the road is largely, but not completely, asphalted.

Great Ocean Road in Australia

The journey on the Great Ocean Road in the Australian state of Victoria is much more pleasant. Drivers can travel 243 kilometers along the southern coast of the continent, enjoying spectacular views of the blue sea, beaches and sheer cliffs along the way. Sometimes travelers can also catch glimpses of animals such as koalas or kangaroos.

No wonder that the Great Ocean Road is considered one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world, and has also been included as a national monument in the Australian National Heritage List since April 7, 2011. Every year it is visited by several million visitors, who are offered more and more over the years. For example, the Great Ocean Walk opened in 2004; a 104 kilometer long hiking trail that runs close to the road. The Great Ocean Road Marathon has taken place once a year since 2005, in which participants can run a 45-kilometer stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay.

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Even more spectacular roads

Of course, these seven streets are just a selection of impressive travel destinations. Equally spectacular is the Großglockner High Alpine Road, which is considered “Austria’s highest view” and is a toll tourist attraction in the Alpine republic. But the Stelvio Pass in Italy and the Furka Pass in Switzerland are also among the most impressive mountain roads in Europe. But it’s not just by car that you can travel spectacularly: on the most breathtaking train routes in Europe you can enjoy magnificent views without having to drive yourself. (nbo)