What are the most spectacular roads in Russia?
Spread across the vast expanse of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, Russia is a land of contrasting landscapes and gripping tales. A drive across its most iconic roads is akin to turning the pages of an epic novel that tells stories of history, hardship, and sheer human determination.
Among the most legendary is the Kolyma Highway, more ominously known as the "Road of Bones." This hauntingly beautiful route in Russia's Far East stands as a chilling testament to the Gulag prisoners who built it, with many of their remains lying beneath the very road itself.
Daring souls seeking a brush with the wild side will find the BAM Road a thrilling challenge. Stretching for over 4,300 km, this off-road trek takes you deep into the heart of Siberia, traversing terrains that few dare to tread, revealing the raw beauty of Russia's untamed wilderness.
Then there's the colossal Trans-Siberian Highway. Beginning from the historic streets of St. Petersburg and stretching to the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, this 6,800-mile-long journey is a kaleidoscope of Russia's diverse cultures, climates, and terrains. Every mile driven is a testament to the country's vastness and variety.
In Russia, roads aren't mere stretches of asphalt. They are timelines tracing the nation's heartbeats, arteries connecting its vast body, and pathways to its soul. As you traverse these routes, you don't just travel across land; you journey through time and tales that have shaped the largest nation on Earth.
A remote coastal road from Korsakov to Novikovo
The road from Korsakov to Novikovo is a very scenic coastal drive located in Sakhalin island, in the Far East part of Russia, situated north of Japan.
Federal Highway M18 is one of the great drives in the world
Federal Highway M18 is one of the great drives in the world. It’s a 1.340 km road linking Saint Petersburg and Murmansk, in Russia.
The hair-raising Nadym River Bridge in Siberia
Located right at the Arctic Circle in central Siberia, Russia, crossing the bridge over the Nadym River (which is frozen for six months of the year) is a hair-raising drive across a waterlogged very rickety pontoon bridge for summer use only. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
The nerve-shredding road to Mamisoni Pass
Pereval Mamisonskiy is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.836m (9,304ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Georgia and the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania of Russia. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
The challenging Heihe-Blagoveshchensk ice road
Short ice road linking Heihe, a city of northern Heilongjiang province, in China and Blagoveshchensk, a city of Amur Oblast, in Russia. This seasonal road opens every winter in the frozen Amur River.
The road to Tsoi-Pede with terrible drops and danger of ambush
Located in the Itum-Kale district of the Republic of Chechnya, near the border between Russia and Georgia, Tsoi-Pede, is a medieval necropolis. It’s one of the largest medieval cemeteries in the Caucasus, included in the list of the seven most remote Russian attractions.
Driving the wild P25 highway
P25 highway is a spectacular and lonely drive in the heart of the Komi Republic, in northwestern Russia.
86К-14 Road is an awe-inspiring route through extremely remote areas
The 86К-14 Road is a spectacular and lonely experience in the heart of the Republic of Karelia, in the northwest of Russia.
Vilyui Highway, a muddy nightmare
The Vilyui highway, part of the A-331 road, is a very exciting journey in the heart of the Sakha Republic, in Russia.
The unpaved road to Terskol Ice base, built in 1938
Terskol Ice base is a ruined military complex at an elevation of 3.675m (12,057ft) above the sea level, located in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay–Cherkessia of Russia, near the border with Georgia. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe. The route passes along a very steep road built in 1938. The average gradient is 12,68%. This road has humbled many egos.
The dark legend of Dyatlov Pass: Russia's biggest unsolved mystery
Pereval Dyatlova is a mountain pass at an elevation of 831m (2,726ft) above the sea level, located in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia. The pass got its popularity after the dead in strange circumstances of 9 hikers. It’s a place shrouded in unsolved mystery since 1959.
The road to Seminsky Pass is a sensational drive
Seminsky Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.894m (6,213ft) above the sea level, located in the southwest part of the Seminsky ridge, the Central- Altai physico - geographical province of the Ongudaysky area, in Russia.
The road to Chike-Taman Pass will take your breath away
Pereval Chike-Taman is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.246m (4,087ft) above the sea level, located in Ongudaysky District of the Altai Republic, in Russia.
A journey on the legendary Lena Highway
A360 Lena Highway is an unforgettable journey in the heart of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) in Russia.
Pik Terskol: a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure
Pik Terskol is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.092m (10,144ft) above the sea level, located in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay–Cherkessia of Russia, near the border with Georgia. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
A chairlift trail to the summit of Mount Mussa-Achitara
Mount Mussa-Achitara is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.141m (10,305ft) above the sea level, located in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, in Russia. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Europe.
A real adventure on the road from Mirny to Udachny in Siberia
Located just outside the Arctic circle in eastern Siberia, the Mirny-Udachny Road is a real adventure. The drive is strictly off limits to outsiders without a special permit and the authorities regard any foreigners with considerable suspicion.
Sikhote-Alin Pass: a remote road
Perevale Sikhote-Alin'skom is a mountain pass at an elevation of 853m (2,798ft) above the sea level, located in Vaninsky District, in Khabarovsk Krai, in the Russian Far East.
The abandoned old road to Krasnaya Polyana
Located in Krasnodar Krai, on the Black Sea area of Russia, the abandoned mountain road to Krasnaya Polyana is said to be one of the most dangerous roads of the country.
An epic enthralling road through Cherek Gorge
Cherek Gorge is a very scenic canyon carved by the Cherek Balkarskiy river, located in the Kabardino-Balkar Republic, of Russia.
Ulagansky Pass, The Road That Has It All
Ulagansky Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.082m (6,830ft) above the sea level, located in the Ulagansky District of the Altai Republic, Russia.
Okha-Nogliki Road
Located on the east coast of the far north of the SakhalinIsland, in Russia, the road linking Okha and Nogliki is an amazing journey.
Road of Life is an epic adventure
Located beyond the Arctic circle, on the Kildin Island, the Road of Life is an epic adventure in the Russian Murmansk Oblast.
Mambet Rock
The Mambet Rock is an impressive rock formation (140m tall) located in the Gafuriysky District, Republic of Bashkortostan, in Russia.
The paved road to the Special Astrophysical Observatory of Russia
The Special Astrophysical Observatory is an observatory at an elevation of 2.098m (6,883ft) above the sea level located in the Zelenchuksky District on the north side of the Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia.
Chuya Highway
Chuya Highway is one of the most beautiful highways in the world, going through the Altay Mountains, in the heart of Siberia, Russia. Bear in mind that it’s not an easy trip: the road can be quite steep and winding.
Pereval Durbet-Daba
Pereval Durbet-Daba is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.482m (8,143ft) above the sea level, located on the Russian-Mongolian border. At the pass there’s a 23 km wide neutral zone.
The Karmadon Canyon Road is said to be the scary of scaries
Karmadon canyon is the name of a stunning gorge located in Prigorodny District, in the North Ossetia–Alania Republic of Russia. The area suffered a deadly slide of a gigantic iceberg in the mountains killing 125 people.
Driving the remote A331 road on the edge of the Arctic Circle
A331 is the name of a very remote and lonely road located on the edge of the Arctic Circle, in Russia.
The remote road to Gamsutl, a Soviet ghost town
Gamsutl is the name of an abandoned ancient village located in the mountains of Dagestan, Russia. It is said to be one of the oldest settlements in the republic.
The Ultimate Road Trip From Rogachevo to Belushya Guba
Located on Yuzhny Island, Novaya Zemlya, in Russia's Arkhangelsk Oblast, the road from Rogachevo to Belushya Guba is a bumpy, though scenic drive. It's one of the world's northernmost roads.
Most Extreme Off-Road Truckers of Russia
Russian truck and car drivers have to prove their driving skills on some of the most challenging roads on Earth. Muddy and frozen roads are a challenge for these drivers.
The narrow Kazbegi Tunnel, an international border
Kazbegi Tunnel is an international high mountain tunnel on the Russia-Georgia border, on the northern slopes of the mighty Caucasus range.
A memorable road trip to Pereval Balyk
Pereval Balyk is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.525m (11,564ft) above the sea level, located in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic of Russia. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
Pereval Mukhinskiy, a steep remote road only for experienced drivers
Pereval Mukhinskiy is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.148m (10,328ft) above the sea level, located in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, in Russia.
Botlikh-Andi Road
Botlikh-Andi road is a high mountain road located in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia.