On one of our trips out west, in 2018, we were travelling from Tombstone to Winslow and we made a last minute decision to cut through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and see part of the real area instead of driving the main highway. We always like to see the back roads and take a wandering path … DAMN IT, MAN … it wasn’t until I got home that I looked the road up to see if I could find anything about it.
I previously have driven the Dragon’s Tail in TN, with 318 curves in 11 miles and The Diamondback in NC, which consists of a loop that includes NC 226A, US 221, Tom’s Creek Road, NC 80, and part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, that has 190 curves in 11 miles and I thought they very very interesting rides … they AIN’T GOT s**t On 191.
I found out 191 is the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway. It has 460 turns in 129 miles.
The road was ‘formerly’ ROUTE 666 aka “THE DEVIL’S HIGHWAY.” It runs from Springerville to Clifton in SE AZ.
From the website: www.dangerousroads.org, it reports:
“With 460 curves, the road is a true gem: narrow and winding, dipping from one curve to the next. The drive is spectacular and uncrowded. This is a dangerous mountain road with many sharp curves and little or no shoulders on steep cliffs. It’s one of the least traveled federal highways. The road is chock-full of challenging switchbacks and hairpin turns. It’s said to have 460 curves. It's one of the highest roads of Arizona.
This is a meandering, moseying, slow-motion drive. In many places the road has no shoulder, so not a good place for either novice or nervous drivers. The road tops out at 9,383 ft. above the sea level 4 miles south of Hannagan Meadow, in Greenlee County across the steep and heavily wooded White Mountains. Plan about 4-5 hours to complete the drive. This is a good drive at any season of the year. It has it all: snowy mountains, grassy valleys, animals aplenty, driving excitement, and ridiculous views. Be sure and gas up in Alpine before heading out. There are no service stations along this stretch of road.”
The map I included does NOT show the true nature of this road. Put Coronado Trail Scenic Byway into your browser map and zoom in and get the real picture.