This year marks the 60th anniversary of Route 66, America’s famous long-distance drive. The 2400-mile ribbon of road was officially born on November 26, 1926, and appeared in John Steinbeck's 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath. Still today, the coast-to-coast route, from Los Angeles to Chicago, is a popular drive – and represents one of the world’s ultimate wanderlust trips. Many people who embark on Route 66 take their time to explore, travelling by car or motorbike and stopping off to sight-see or hike.
We suggest five more great drive & hike tours:
North Coast 500
Acclaimed as Scotland’s answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 has proved impressively popular since it launched last year. The route is ideal for driving and hiking tours and offers a loop from Inverness, via the spectacualr inland and coastal scenery of north-west of Scotland, back to Inverness over 516 miles.
The length of the Outer Hebrides
Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris.
The beautiful islands off the west coast of Scotland offer the perfect destination for a more relaxed drive and hike tour. On our Outer Hebrides Island Hopscotch tour you’ll travel the length of the Outer Hebridean island chain from Barra in the south to Lewis in the north, each with their own atmosphere, culture and scenery. The views from the car will wow you, although we highly recommend you get out and walk too. You'll enjoy the amazing sweeps of white sandy beaches and the stunningly rugged hills en route.
Iceland’s Ring Road 1
Drive Iceland’s scenic Ring Road 1, starting from the capital of Reykjavik, and exploring the picturesque south coast taking in the east fjords to Lake Myvatn on the north coast. The Iceland Explore Drive & Hike ticks off many highlights including lava fields, volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, fjords, hot springs and geysers.
Best of BC and the Rockies
Banff National Park
The drive from Vancouver to Banff in Canada is the stuff of long-lasting memories thanks to the stunning scenery of the Canadian Rockies. The route takes in Jasper and Banff national parks and Whistler. The tour includes the opportunity to drive Icefields Parkway, considered one of North America’s most scenic highways. Whether you like a short stroll or a longer hike, there are options to please all. See Ultimate Canadian Rockies Drive and Hike.
Ultimate Ireland Tour
Giant's Causeway.
If your idea of a road trip is to drive a little, find a great attraction to visit, drive a little ore, walk a bit, drive a bit more and come across another great attraction, the Ultimate Ireland Discovery Drive & Hike Tour is for you. Stop offs might include the Giant’s Causeway, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Croagh Patrick and megalithic Newgrange. See, we told you it was a packed trip!
Canada