Seven of the World's Most Spectacular Road Bridges

Road Trips

Jan 9

Written By Nik Berg

In Detour’s book there’s no such thing as a bridge too far. Leaving solid ground to shoot across the span of suspension bridge is the closest thing to flying you can experience behind the wheel. (Well at least until those flying cars we’ve been promised for decades finally arrive). Here are seven of our favourite crossings.

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Detour #129: Llosa del Cavall, Catalunya, Spain

Imagine if all your favourite features were found on one single stretch of road. Twists, turns, climbs and falls, forests, tunnels, bridges and vistas to make you brake to standstill and grab your camera. It’s the smash hits of road trips: an incredible compilation album.

Detour #64: Grand Pacific Drive, Sydney, Australia

Australia’s Grand Pacific Drive is one of the most Instagram-friendly routes in the world. Honestly, just spend a few minutes on the planet’s most popular photo-sharing platform and you’ll find thousands of shots of this scenic Sydney adventure.

Detour Pit Stop #28: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, China

The world's longest road link across open sea joins Hong Kong to Macau.

Detour #52: Florida Keys Overseas Highway, USA

Skimming the Florida Keys just metres above sea level, the Overseas Highway links Miami to Key West via a series of spectacular long low-slung bridges.

Detour Pit Stop #19: Oresund Bridge, Denmark-Sweden

Oresundsbron isn’t just a bridge - it’s a bridge, a man-made island and a tunnel that link Copenhagen in Denmark with Malmo in Sweden and is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year.

Detour Pit Stop #08: Millau Viaduct, France

Rising 1,100ft from the floor of the Tarn gorge this Norman Foster designed wonder is the tallest bridge on the planet.

Detour #08: Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway

Eight bridges span a series of small islands, some so low that you feel you’re skimming the sea, while fishermen catch cod from the side. Others a roller coaster ride into the sky and down again.

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As he Detours across America James Hearne discovers some of the most memorable off-road routes in Utah.

Detour #290: The Dark Skies and Scenic Drives of Exmoor

One of Britain’s least visited national parks nominates itself as a great place for silent stargazing. And driving

Detour #289: A Return to the Panorama Route, South Africa

Sudhir “Banzai” Matai retraces a route last seen from the back seat of his dad’s old Mercedes-Benz 230E.

Detour #288: It’s Horses for Courses on the Wrynose Pass, UK

Reach the top of the Wrynose Pass and you’ll find yourself at the intersection of three counties of old England.

Detour #287: Seeking Kerala’s Greatest Climber, India

In search of a four-legged rock climber, Paranjay Dutt finds himself caught between endless tea gardens and hairpin bends.

Detour #287: Speeding through the Streets of Pau-Ville, France

Pau, one of the oldest racing circuits in the world, may not have much of a future - drive it while you can.

Detour #286: Water Over the Bridge on the Yongwu Highway, China

Every year the road to Yongwu vanishes beneath the rising waters of Poyang Lake, yet daring drivers still brave the waves to cross.

Detour #285: Britain’s Emptiest A-Road, Bute, Scotland

Simon Heptinstall enjoys the most tranquil of Scottish road trips on the Isle of Bute.

Detour #284: The Giants of the Redwood Highway, California, USA

Driving through towering ancient forests, Jamie Hearne finds inspiration in the sheer scale of nature.

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As the journey that was 2024 nears an end, we look back on the most memorable road trips of the year.

Five Festive Road Trips

’Tis the season to be driving. For many of us that might mean seasonal gridlock on the way to visit friends and family, but if you’re feeling a little more adventurous then check out these five festive drives.

Detour #283: Mighty Mount Panorama, Australia

Home to the legendary Bathurst 1000 race, the Mount Panorama circuit in New South Wales is actually a public road.

Detour #282: On Road and Track in the Hills of Seville, Spain

A few laps of a track, a blast into the hills above Seville and an insight into the life of a road tester, courtesy of Stephen Dobie.

Detour #281: Adventure Awaits on Alaska’s Denali Highway, USA

The window of opportunity to drive into the wilds of Alaska’s Denali Highway is narrow.

Detour #280: A Run Up Route YC, Yorkshire UK

When the creator and founder of the iconic NC 500 was looking for another epic UK driving route, he looked no further than Yorkshire.

Detour #279: A Mini Miglia on the Futa Pass, Italy

As if the Futa and Raticosa passes of the Mille Miglia weren’t tough enough, Detour’s Nik Berg braves them in torrential rain. In Maserati’s MC20 supercar.