What are the most spectacular roads in Namibia?

Namibia's roads offer a challenge for any driver. Covering an area of 824,292 km2 (318,261 sq mi), Namibia is one of the largest countries in Africa but the second least densely populated country in the world after Mongolia. Located in the heart of southern Africa, Namibia borders Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. Namibia, named after the Namib Desert, is home to many challenging drives, with 30 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world.

When travelling to the country, you can’t miss driving to Van Zyl's Pass, the wildest 4x4 trip in the country, climbing up to 958m (3,143ft) above sea level. Located in the country’s northwest, you’ll find salt and mud on the 4x4 Skeleton Coast Road. And it’s also worth driving to Spreetshoogte Pass, one of the steepest (14%) drives in the country, topping out at 1,822m (5,977ft) above sea level. For those seeking the most defiant drives, don’t forget to check out our content about the highest roads in Namibia, where altitude and adventure meet in a breathtaking challenge.

Van Zyl’s Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 958m (3,143ft) above sea level, located in the Kunene region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Located along Namibia’s hauntingly barren Skeleton Coast, in the country’s northwest, the Skeleton Coast Road is one of the most stunning drives in the world.

Spreetshoogte Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,822m (5,977ft) above sea level, located in the Khomas region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

C28 is a very scenic road located in central Namibia, linking Windhoek to the coast. It’s said to be one of the less traveled roads in the world: fewer than 10 cars use it every day.

Gamsberg Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.867m (6,125ft) above sea level, located in the Khomas region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Doros Crater is a very scenic spot located in the Kunene region of Namibia. It is an ancient volcanic intrusion dating back 180 million year to the splitting up of Gondwana, situated in the northern part of the country.

Located in southern Africa on the Atlantic coast the dry lands of Namibia have an average elevation of 1,080 meters (3,543 feet). The parts of the country which are not flat are often covered by mountains and hills. If you are into 4x4 adventures, Namibia has some beautiful mountain passes just for you.

Bosua Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.728m (5,669ft) above sea level, located in the Khomas region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Remhoogte Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.556m (5,104ft) above sea level, located in Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

C14 Road is an epic drive offering stunning views of the Namibian desert. Not advisable to drive the route with a sedan vehicle. The road crosses the Tropic of Capricorn.

C27 Road is a scenic drive across the Namib Desert, straddling Hardap and ǁKaras regions of Namibia.

Kuiseb Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 905m (2,969ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Khomas and Erongo regions of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Kupferberg Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,050m (6,725ft) above sea level, located in the Khomas region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Messum Crater is a remnant of a massive volcanic eruption located in Dorob National Park of Namibia. It is one of Damaraland’s most remote natural attractions, with two concentric circles of hills. Ensure you have enough equipment to handle basic breakdowns on the road to the crater.

Gaub Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 750m (2,460ft) above sea level located in the Khomas region of Namibia.

Tsaris-Hoogte Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.672m (5,485ft) above sea level, located in Hardap region, in Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. 

Located in Namibia, Fish River Canyon -the largest canyon in Africa- is one of the most dramatic and impressive geological formations in the world.

Located in southern Namibia, the D707 road is a very scenic drive running through the Namtib Desert. This gravel and sand road is known for its varied landscapes.

Surrounded by high red dunes, Sossusvlei is a large, white salt and clay pan located within the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the southern corner of Namibia. It’s one of the best-known attractions in the country.

Us-Hoogte Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.878m (6,161ft) above sea level, located in the Khomas region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Otavi-Tsumeb Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,478m (4,849ft) above sea level, located in the Oshikoto region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

The Sangwali Bridge is located in the Mamili National Park in the north-eastern corner of the Zambezi Region in Northern Namibia. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

D1986 is a very scenic road located in Walvis Bay, a city on the coast of Namibia.

Located in the Mamili National Park in the north-eastern corner of the Zambezi Region in Northern Namibia, the bridge over the Linyanti River is 40m long. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Sandwich Harbour is a freshwater lagoon surrounded by dunes, located on the Atlantic coast of Namibia.

Located in the Kunene Region in northwestern Namibia, D3703 is the name of a very challenging 4x4 road. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Moltkeblick is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.462m (8,077ft) above the sea level, located in Khomas region, in the central part of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Divorce Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 401m (1,315ft) above the sea level, located in the Kunene region of Namibia, in southern Africa.

Grossherzog Friedrich Berg is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.309m (7,575ft) above the sea level, located in Khomas region, in the central part of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Grootberg Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.550m (5,085ft) above the sea level, located in the Kunene region of Namibia. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Tucked away in the northern corner of Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia, the Welwitschia Drive offers breathtaking desert landscapes. This scenic route meanders southeast of the coastal town of Swakopmund, unveiling the mesmerizing moon-like expanse of the Welwitschia Plain.

Joubert Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,436 meters (4,711 feet) above sea level, located in the Kunene region of Namibia.

C26 is a challenging mountain road with stunning views, located in the Khomas Region of Namibia. It runs from the capital of the country toward the coast.

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.