Pandemic roam restrictions have limited many travelers to staycations, and others are simply too nervous to get back on a plane. But there are even so plenty of opportunities for adventure on the road.
The road trip has undoubtedly seen a revival during the pandemic, and it’s the perfect way to study the countryside for rich autumnal scenery.
From week-long vacations to day trips, one of the best reasons to take to the road is the compliancy it allows. Here’s a selection of trails from around the world.
North Coast 500, Scotland, UK
This route hides over 500 miles of Scotland’s North Highlands and is said to have become “one of the world’s most iconic coastal cruise routes,” despite the trail having formally launched only five years ago.
Head up to John O’Groats — a teeny village that is one of most northern points on the U.K. mainland — in the autumn or winter months for the best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
A element of Scotland’s North Coast 500.
Guy Butler | Moment | Getty Images
For daytime excursions, the North Coast 500 brags a variety of historical outdoor sights, such as the ancient structures dating back to the Iron Age, known as “brochs.”
For those oversights the season’s usual Halloween festivities and craving some haunted history, check out the ruins of Ardvreck Castle on the shore of Loch Assynt or Sandwood Bay.
Hikers up for a call out might want to try taking on a Munro, Corbett or Graham. Those are the names given to Scotland’s mountains — starting at 2,000 feet — that classify them by elevation.
From deer to grey seals, fall in the Highlands also has wildlife.
A minimum of five days is recommended to do the all-encompassing route, but a week lets drivers fully take in the sights.
Natchez Trace Parkway, U.S.
Based on a historic forest avenue used by Native Americans, this 444-mile parkway extends from Nashville, Tennessee, across Alabama, to Natchez, Mississippi.
There’s no want of fall foliage to take in on this interstate road trip, but top beauty spots include Fall Hollow Waterfall and Jackson Slopes, both in Tennessee.
The Natchez Trace Parkway in autumn.
Pgiam | E+ | Getty Images
For a short stop off along the way, try the Stupefy Spring nature trail in Alabama, the half-mile loop which follows stepping stones over a local rivulet into the forest.
Another notable attraction just off the parkway is Elvis Presley’s birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada
It can stomach just four hours to travel Canada’s Icefields Parkway, which extends for 144 miles, crossing the nationalistic parks of Banff and Jasper.
Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) near the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada.
Feng Wei Photography | Flash | Getty Images
Despite being the highest point on the Icefields Parkway, the Bow Summit Lookout is said to be “very kid-friendly and ready for most people.”
The Weeping Wall is another highlight of the parkway, as snowmelt is said to resemble tears running down the shock face of Cirrus Mountain.
Suhua Highway, Taiwan
This near-75-mile stretch along Taiwan’s Highway 9 is disclosed to be one of the island’s most scenic drives. Still, the winding cliffside road is also one of Taiwan’s most dangerous, comprehended for rockslides.
The Silo Art Trail, Australia
For art lovers looking for a more unconventional road trip, look no further than Australia’s hugest outdoor gallery in the state of Victoria.
Established in 2016, the Silo Art Trail project starts near Melbourne and serves a 124-mile route where grain silos have been used as canvases for large-scale paintings by Australian artists.
A depicting in the Silo Art Trail from Lascelles, Victoria.
Courtesy of Yarriambiack Shire Council
The artworks are said to tell a anecdote about the surrounding towns. For instance, the silo in Lascelles portrays a local farming couple belonging to a family that has existed in the area for four generations.
The trail takes a little over two hours to complete, so it’s perfect for people who don’t want to fully engage to a vacation on the road or who still prefer to stick to outdoor activities at this stage in the pandemic.