These routes are made for gawking: the world's most scenic drives

Forget the cliched expression. Sometimes it really is about the journey, rather than the destination. With lines on the tarmac streaking past, or perhaps ochre dust billowing out behind, there are some drives that are... well, worth driving to.

As I write this, I'm in the Canadian Rockies, having just driven along the Icefields Parkway, a 230-kilometre road between Banff and Jasper that's lined with majestic mountains, glacial lakes, and roaring rivers. Trucks are banned from the road to keep it clear for tourists because, trust me, you're going to want to stop often to take in the views!

But the Icefields Parkway is just one of the world's most epic drives, and there are some other avenues worth exploring.

If you're looking to get your kicks, this could be the year to drive Route 66 because the famous US highway is currently celebrating its centenary. Following the original 1926 route requires some creative detours, with many parts replaced by modern interstates, but that's a good excuse to explore the Americana road-trip culture.

Stretching for almost 4000 kilometres from Chicago to California's Santa Monica, there are classic diners, retro motels, and plenty of "y'all ain't from around here" moments. But beyond the burgers and billboards, the diversity of landscapes is part of the appeal, from the plains of Kansas, through the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, ending on the Pacific Coast.

If the land of Disney doesn't appeal, perhaps head to the castle that inspired the company's logo: Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. This is the start of the 460-kilometre Romantic Road, a drive through southern Germany that connects medieval towns, palaces, and other historic sites (and is particularly festive at Christmas).

Through river valleys, past vineyard-covered slopes, and into the foothills of the Alps, it's almost like you're driving through a fairytale with all the castles perched upon the peaks. In particular, I'd recommend visiting two World Heritage Sites - the enormous 18th-century Baroque palace, Wurzburg Palace, and the tiny Pilgrimage Church of Wies, both with ornately decorated interiors.

Along the northernmost tip of mainland Britain, the North Coast 500 takes you on an 830-kilometre journey through Scotland's extreme landscapes - from sheer sea cliffs buffeted by winds, down into rolling farmland and historic fishing villages. Roads are sealed, but often you'll face Highland cattle and flocks of sheep on the narrow single-lane tracks, forcing you to take it slow.

There are ancient stone monuments, almost-ancient stone castles, and beyond ancient stone formations rising from the sea. But the locals suggest you don't have your whisky on the rocks when you pull into one of the distilleries to warm up with a single malt and a crackling fire.

Also hugging the coast is South Africa's Garden Route, officially 300 kilometres long but often combined with an additional 380km from Cape Town. The road is squeezed into a narrow strip between the glittering Indian Ocean on one side and jagged mountain ranges on the other, with the land decorated by a kaleidoscope of flowers.

Along the way, there are lots of opportunities to stop at viewpoints for some hiking, or even bungee jumping. Private game reserves offer an easy way to spot some of the Big Five, while boat trips run marine safaris to see dolphins and seals, or migrating whales from July to October.

Access into much of southern Chile can be treacherous by sea or air, hampered by fjords, thick forest, and rough weather. The 1200-kilometre Carretera Austral highway is one of the few ways into this dramatic part of Patagonia, where you'll find glaciers in the mountains, wild rivers rushing down, and crisp barren expanses stretching forever.

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The road was only officially finished in 2000 and much is still unsealed, although the difficulty is not the surface but the isolation, with petrol stations few and far between. Driving the whole way from the city of Puerto Montt to the 600-person town of Villa O'Higgins takes you past 10 of Chile's most beautiful national parks.

The Pamir Mountains of Central Asia are known as the 'roof of the world' and the road that rollercoasters over them is one of the highest drives you'll ever experience. The Pamir Highway reaches 4,655 metres as it crosses the Ak-Baital Pass in Tajikistan, with much of the route amongst harsh lunar-like plateaus surrounded by towering peaks and rocky gorges.

You don't need to drive the entire 1,200 kilometres from Kyrgyzstan to feel like a Silk Road caravan, stopping at roadside bazaars and the ruins of layers of empires. A highlight is Karakul, a brilliant blue lake inside a meteorite crater, and with few tourists, you'll also find some wonderful cultural experiences in the small mountain towns.

We all know Australia is great for road trips, but if you're looking for a challenge, the Gibb River Road might be right up your alley. From Derby to Kununurra in Western Australia, you'll follow the vibrant red dust through the remoteness of the Kimberley region with its spectacular gorges and groves of boab trees.

This 660-kilometre wild track is unsealed and you'll need not just a 4WD, but also extra fuel, spare tyres, and recovery gear. Along the way are incredible hikes and a notorious crocodile-infested river crossing. Accommodation is mostly either camping or on massive cattle stations, but that's all part of the adventure when you're seeking a journey, not a destination.