# Lotus Trails

> An independent guide to the world's best driving roads for Lotus owners, from the Elise and Exige to the Evora and Emira, with targa rallies, model guides, owner communities and road trip advice.

Lotus Trails is an independent enthusiast site. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Lotus Cars Limited. Lotus, Elise, Exige, Evora and Emira are trademarks of their respective owners. Content may be quoted and summarised with a link back. The full text of the site in one file is at https://lotustrails.com/llms-full.txt.

## Trails: Europe

- [Stelvio Pass](https://lotustrails.com/trails/stelvio-pass.md): Italy. Driving the Stelvio Pass in your Lotus: 48 numbered hairpins, a 2,757 m summit, the best time to go and how to avoid the traffic.
- [Transfăgărășan](https://lotustrails.com/trails/transfagarasan.md): Romania. The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) by Lotus: 90 km across Romania's Făgăraș Mountains, when the road opens, surface quality and what a low car needs to know.
- [Grossglockner High Alpine Road](https://lotustrails.com/trails/grossglockner-high-alpine-road.md): Austria. Grossglockner High Alpine Road in a Lotus: 48 km, 36 hairpins and a 2,504 m pass on Austria's best-kept toll road. Season, tolls and driving notes.
- [Furka, Grimsel & Susten Loop](https://lotustrails.com/trails/furka-grimsel-susten-loop.md): Switzerland. The Furka, Grimsel and Susten passes as one 120 km loop from Andermatt: the best day's driving in Switzerland in your Lotus.
- [Col de Turini](https://lotustrails.com/trails/col-de-turini.md): France. Col de Turini in your Lotus: the Monte Carlo Rally's most famous stage, an hour from Nice. Routes up, surface and the best direction to drive.
- [Route Napoléon](https://lotustrails.com/trails/route-napoleon.md): France. Route Napoléon in a Lotus: the fast, flowing N85 from the Riviera into the Alps, with the Grasse to Castellane section among Europe's best driving roads.
- [Route des Grandes Alpes](https://lotustrails.com/trails/route-des-grandes-alpes.md): France. The Route des Grandes Alpes by Lotus: 720 km from Lake Geneva to Nice over the Iseran, Galibier and more. A multi-day itinerary for your Lotus.
- [Nürburgring Nordschleife](https://lotustrails.com/trails/nurburgring-nordschleife.md): Germany. Driving the Nürburgring Nordschleife in your Lotus: how Touristenfahrten public laps work, what to prepare, and the Eifel roads around it.
- [Black Forest High Road](https://lotustrails.com/trails/black-forest-high-road.md): Germany. The B500 Black Forest High Road in a Lotus: 60 km of fast, smooth ridge-top sweepers from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt, with the best side roads.
- [Great Dolomites Road & Sella Ronda](https://lotustrails.com/trails/great-dolomites-road.md): Italy. The Great Dolomites Road and Sella Ronda by Lotus: Bolzano to Cortina over the Pordoi and Falzarego, plus the four-pass loop around the Sella massif.
- [Targa Florio Circuit](https://lotustrails.com/trails/targa-florio-circuit.md): Italy. Drive the original Targa Florio circuit in Sicily: the 72 km Piccolo Madonie loop through Cerda and Collesano, past the Floriopoli pits and grandstands.
- [Atlantic Ocean Road](https://lotustrails.com/trails/atlantic-ocean-road.md): Norway. The Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway: 8.3 km and eight bridges across open sea, including Storseisundet. How to fit it into a Lotus trip with Trollstigen.
- [Trollstigen](https://lotustrails.com/trails/trollstigen.md): Norway. Trollstigen by Lotus: eleven hairpins up a 10% Norwegian mountain wall beside the Stigfossen waterfall. Opening season, closures and route planning.
- [North Coast 500](https://lotustrails.com/trails/north-coast-500.md): United Kingdom. The North Coast 500 in your Lotus: 516 miles around the Scottish Highlands, the Bealach na Bà, the best sections and how to plan fuel.
- [Evo Triangle](https://lotustrails.com/trails/evo-triangle.md): United Kingdom. The Evo Triangle in North Wales: a 20-mile loop of the A5, A543 and B4501 across the Denbigh Moors, made famous by road testers and ideal for a Lotus.
- [Black Mountain Pass](https://lotustrails.com/trails/black-mountain-pass.md): United Kingdom. The A4069 Black Mountain Pass in a Lotus: 20 miles across the western Brecon Beacons with open moorland sweepers and the famous Tro Gwcw hairpin.
- [Isle of Man TT Mountain Course](https://lotustrails.com/trails/isle-of-man-mountain-course.md): Isle of Man. Drive the 37.73-mile Isle of Man TT Mountain Course in a Lotus: the derestricted A18 mountain road, ferry logistics and when the roads are open.
- [Hethel & the Norfolk Lotus Loop](https://lotustrails.com/trails/hethel-norfolk-loop.md): United Kingdom. A Lotus pilgrimage loop in Norfolk: the Hethel factory where every Elise, Exige and Emira was built, Snetterton circuit and the A149 north Norfolk coast road.
- [N222 Douro Valley](https://lotustrails.com/trails/n222-douro-valley.md): Portugal. Portugal's N222 from Peso da Régua to Pinhão: 27 km and 93 bends along the Douro river through port wine terraces, and how it drives in a Lotus.
- [Sa Calobra](https://lotustrails.com/trails/sa-calobra.md): Spain. Sa Calobra in Mallorca by Lotus: 13 km of hairpins and the 270-degree Tie Knot descending from Coll dels Reis to the sea. When to drive it.

## Trails: North America

- [Tail of the Dragon](https://lotustrails.com/trails/tail-of-the-dragon.md): United States. Tail of the Dragon in your Lotus: 318 curves in 11 miles on US 129 at Deals Gap, with tips on timing, enforcement and nearby roads.
- [Pacific Coast Highway: Big Sur](https://lotustrails.com/trails/pacific-coast-highway-big-sur.md): United States. Driving Highway 1 through Big Sur in a Lotus: 90 miles of Pacific cliffs from Carmel to San Simeon, Bixby Bridge, closures and the best time of day.
- [Angeles Crest Highway](https://lotustrails.com/trails/angeles-crest-highway.md): United States. Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) by Lotus: 66 miles through the San Gabriel Mountains above Los Angeles, climbing to 7,903 ft at Dawson Saddle.
- [Blue Ridge Parkway](https://lotustrails.com/trails/blue-ridge-parkway.md): United States. The Blue Ridge Parkway in a Lotus: 469 miles of unbroken ridge-top curves through Virginia and North Carolina, the Linn Cove Viaduct and trip planning.
- [Million Dollar Highway](https://lotustrails.com/trails/million-dollar-highway.md): United States. Colorado's Million Dollar Highway by Lotus: 25 miles of US 550 from Ouray to Silverton over 11,018 ft Red Mountain Pass, with no guardrails.
- [Beartooth Highway](https://lotustrails.com/trails/beartooth-highway.md): United States. The Beartooth Highway in a Lotus: 68 miles of US 212 from Red Lodge to Yellowstone over a 10,947 ft pass. Season, switchbacks and what to expect.
- [Sea to Sky Highway & Duffey Lake Road](https://lotustrails.com/trails/sea-to-sky-highway.md): Canada. BC's Sea to Sky Highway and Duffey Lake Road by Lotus: Highway 99 from Vancouver past Whistler to Lillooet, where the real driving begins.
- [Cabot Trail](https://lotustrails.com/trails/cabot-trail.md): Canada. The Cabot Trail in a Lotus: a 298 km loop around Cape Breton Island with ocean cliffs, highland climbs and the best direction to drive it.

## Trails: Asia & Middle East

- [Hakone Turnpike](https://lotustrails.com/trails/hakone-turnpike.md): Japan. Hakone Turnpike in a Lotus: Japan's best-known driving toll road, climbing from Odawara to the Daikanzan summit lounge. Tolls, hours and nearby roads.
- [Irohazaka](https://lotustrails.com/trails/irohazaka.md): Japan. Irohazaka by Lotus: 48 hairpins on two one-way roads between Nikkō and Lake Chūzenji, each bend named for a character of the old Japanese syllabary.
- [Mae Hong Son Loop](https://lotustrails.com/trails/mae-hong-son-loop.md): Thailand. The Mae Hong Son Loop by Lotus: 600 km and a claimed 1,864 curves through the mountains of northern Thailand from Chiang Mai via Pai.
- [Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road](https://lotustrails.com/trails/jebel-hafeet.md): United Arab Emirates. Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road in a Lotus: 11.7 km and 60 corners of perfect three-lane tarmac climbing a desert mountain near Al Ain in the UAE.

## Trails: Oceania

- [Great Ocean Road](https://lotustrails.com/trails/great-ocean-road.md): Australia. The Great Ocean Road by Lotus: 243 km along Victoria's coast from Torquay past Lorne and Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, plus the Otways hinterland.
- [Lyell Highway & the 99 Bends](https://lotustrails.com/trails/lyell-highway-tasmania.md): Australia. Tasmania's Lyell Highway in a Lotus: Hobart to Queenstown through World Heritage wilderness, finishing on the 99 Bends used by Targa Tasmania.
- [Great Alpine Road](https://lotustrails.com/trails/great-alpine-road.md): Australia. Victoria's Great Alpine Road by Lotus: 339 km over Mount Hotham, Australia's highest year-round sealed road, with the best side roads in the High Country.
- [Crown Range Road](https://lotustrails.com/trails/crown-range-road.md): New Zealand. The Crown Range Road in a Lotus: New Zealand's highest main road, from Queenstown over a 1,076 m summit to Wānaka through the Cardrona Valley.

## Trails: Africa

- [Chapman's Peak Drive](https://lotustrails.com/trails/chapmans-peak-drive.md): South Africa. Chapman's Peak Drive in a Lotus: 9 km and 114 curves cut into the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, twenty minutes from central Cape Town.
- [Franschhoek Pass](https://lotustrails.com/trails/franschhoek-pass.md): South Africa. Franschhoek Pass by Lotus: the Western Cape's favourite driving road, climbing from the wine town of Franschhoek over the mountains towards Villiersdorp.

## Trails: South America

- [Serra do Rio do Rastro](https://lotustrails.com/trails/serra-do-rio-do-rastro.md): Brazil. Serra do Rio do Rastro in a Lotus: the SC-390 in southern Brazil, climbing more than 1,400 m through hundreds of curves and a wall of stacked hairpins.

## Models

- [Lotus Elise Series 1 (1996–2001)](https://lotustrails.com/models/elise-s1.md): Lotus Elise S1 guide: the 725 kg original with the bonded aluminium tub and Rover K-series engine. Variants, years, what to check and how it tours.
- [Lotus Elise Series 2 (2001–2011)](https://lotustrails.com/models/elise-s2.md): Lotus Elise S2 guide: Rover and Toyota-engined cars from 2001 to 2011, including the 111R and US Federal Elise. Variants, known issues and touring notes.
- [Lotus Elise Series 3 (2011–2021)](https://lotustrails.com/models/elise-s3.md): Lotus Elise S3 guide: the 2011–2021 cars from the 1.6 to the Cup 250 and Final Edition. Engines, variants, and why it makes a great road trip car.
- [Lotus Exige Series 1 (2000–2002)](https://lotustrails.com/models/exige-s1.md): Lotus Exige S1 guide: the rare 2000–2002 coupé derived from the Sport Elise race car, with the 177 bhp VHPD K-series. History and what to check.
- [Lotus Exige Series 2 (2004–2011)](https://lotustrails.com/models/exige-s2.md): Lotus Exige S2 guide: Toyota-powered coupés from 2004 to 2011, including the supercharged Exige S, Cup 240 and Cup 260. Variants and driving notes.
- [Lotus Exige V6 (2012–2021)](https://lotustrails.com/models/exige-v6.md): Lotus Exige V6 guide: the supercharged 3.5-litre Series 3 from the Exige S to the Cup 430 and Final Editions. Specs, variants and road trip suitability.
- [Lotus 340R (2000)](https://lotustrails.com/models/340r.md): Lotus 340R guide: the roofless, doorless Elise-based special of 2000, limited to 340 cars. History, specification and what it is like on the road.
- [Lotus 2-Eleven (2007–2011)](https://lotustrails.com/models/2-eleven.md): Lotus 2-Eleven guide: the windscreen-less 252 bhp track car of 2007–2011, road-legal in some markets. Specification and what to know before buying.
- [Lotus 3-Eleven (2016–2018)](https://lotustrails.com/models/3-eleven.md): Lotus 3-Eleven guide: the 311-car V6 successor to the 2-Eleven, with up to 460 bhp and a Nürburgring lap in the low seven minutes.
- [Lotus Europa S (2006–2010)](https://lotustrails.com/models/europa-s.md): Lotus Europa S guide: the 2006–2010 turbocharged GT built on the Elise platform, with more comfort and luggage space. A sensible long-distance Lotus.
- [Lotus Evora (2009–2021)](https://lotustrails.com/models/evora.md): Lotus Evora guide: the 2009–2021 V6 grand tourer from the original 276 bhp car to the GT410 and GT430. The Lotus to choose for a long road trip.
- [Lotus Emira (2022–present)](https://lotustrails.com/models/emira.md): Lotus Emira guide: the last petrol Lotus, with a supercharged V6 or AMG four-cylinder. How it compares with the Elise, Exige and Evora for road trips.
- [Vauxhall VX220 & Opel Speedster (2000–2005)](https://lotustrails.com/models/vx220-opel-speedster.md): Vauxhall VX220 and Opel Speedster guide: the Hethel-built cousin of the Elise S2, with GM engines. How it differs and why it is a good-value way in.

## Guides

- [How to Prepare Your Lotus for a Road Trip](https://lotustrails.com/guides/road-trip-preparation.md): Packing, fuel range, ground clearance, spares and checks for touring in your Lotus, from a weekend in Wales to two weeks in the Alps.
- [Track Mods for Your Lotus: What to Fix First](https://lotustrails.com/guides/track-day-modifications.md): The common track day modifications for the Lotus Elise and Exige: toe-links, baffled sumps, brakes, anti-roll bar mounts, AiM dashes and Honda K-swaps.
- [Buying a Used Lotus: What to Check](https://lotustrails.com/guides/buying-a-used-lotus.md): A buyer's checklist for the Lotus Elise and Exige: chassis and clam damage, engine-specific issues, service history, and which model suits which use.
- [Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora Recalls and Known Issues](https://lotustrails.com/guides/recalls-and-known-issues.md): How to check a Lotus for outstanding recalls, the US oil cooler line recalls for the Elise and Exige, Evora recalls, and the issues owners should know.
- [Lotus Colours: A Guide to Factory Paint](https://lotustrails.com/guides/lotus-colours.md): Factory paint colours for the Lotus Elise and Exige by era, from Norfolk Mustard and Calypso Red to Krypton Green, plus heritage liveries and rare shades.
- [Lotus Cars History: Colin Chapman, Hethel and the Owners Since](https://lotustrails.com/guides/lotus-history.md): The story of Lotus from Colin Chapman's first car in 1948 to Hethel, Formula 1 dominance, the Elise that saved the company and Geely ownership today.
- [Famous Lotus Drivers: Clark, Hill, Rindt, Fittipaldi, Andretti, Senna](https://lotustrails.com/guides/famous-lotus-drivers.md): The drivers who made Lotus famous: Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Ayrton Senna and more, with their key wins.
- [Famous Lotus Cars: From the Seven to the Esprit and Evija](https://lotustrails.com/guides/famous-lotus-cars.md): The Lotus cars everyone should know: the Seven, Elan, Esprit of James Bond fame, the Lotus Carlton, the championship-winning 25, 49, 72 and 79, and more.

## Events, tracks, garages and communities

- [Targa rallies, race series and gatherings](https://lotustrails.com/events.md): tarmac rallies, one-make series, hill climbs and owner events.
- [Race tracks and track day organisers](https://lotustrails.com/tracks.md): circuits with public track days, with coordinates.
- [Dealers and independent specialists](https://lotustrails.com/garages.md): where to buy, service and repair, with coordinates.
- [Clubs, forums and specialists](https://lotustrails.com/communities.md): owner communities worldwide.
- [World map](https://lotustrails.com/map/): every road, track, event, dealer and specialist as pins with filters.

## Blog

- [Targa New Zealand Becomes the Silver Fern Tarmac Rally from 2027](https://lotustrails.com/blog/2026-10-04-targa-new-zealand-silver-fern-2027.md): New Zealand's Targa is being rebranded as the NZ Silver Fern Tarmac Rally and will run every two years from 2027, with two, five and seven-day options.
- [Thirty Years of the Elise: Why a 1996 Design Still Sets the Standard](https://lotustrails.com/blog/2026-10-03-thirty-years-of-the-elise.md): The first customer Elises were delivered in 1996. Three decades on, a look at what Lotus got right and why nothing has replaced it.
- [Targa West Is Now Tarmac West: Perth's Rally Under a New Name](https://lotustrails.com/blog/2026-10-02-targa-west-is-now-tarmac-west.md): Western Australia's four-day tarmac rally ran in September as Tarmac West, with stages in the Perth Hills and a finish in the city. A short guide.
- [Road Spotlight: Sa Calobra, the Winter Road](https://lotustrails.com/blog/2026-10-01-sa-calobra-winter-road.md): When the Alps close, Mallorca opens. Why Sa Calobra and the Serra de Tramuntana are the best winter driving destination in Europe for a small sports car.
- [The October Window: Last Chance for the High Alpine Passes](https://lotustrails.com/blog/2026-09-30-alpine-passes-october-window.md): The Stelvio, Grossglockner, Furka and Iseran close for winter within weeks. Why early October is one of the best times to drive them, and what to check.
- [Why the Elise's 6,200 rpm Cam Change Is Made for Hairpins](https://lotustrails.com/blog/2026-09-29-why-the-2zz-cam-change-suits-hairpins.md): The Toyota 2ZZ engine in the Elise 111R and Exige S2 switches to a second cam profile at about 6,200 rpm. Here is how to use it on a mountain pass.
- [Targa Tasmania Is Back in November: What Lotus Owners Should Know](https://lotustrails.com/blog/2026-09-28-targa-tasmania-returns-november.md): Targa Tasmania runs again this November from Launceston to Hobart, with a new three-day Targa Trofeo. Here is what has changed and how to take part.

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