Most streets are constant—a fixed grid you can count on whether it’s January or July. But in certain corners of the world, there are streets that appear for just a handful of days each year. Some are hidden under water for months, only revealed by low tides. Others come alive for festivals before vanishing back into their everyday selves. And some are carved out by seasonal conditions like ice, snow, or desert winds, disappearing as quickly as they arrive.

These fleeting roads are part of what makes travel so magical: they remind us that not everything is permanent, and that some journeys are special precisely because they’re temporary. Whether you’re walking on a path revealed by the sea or driving a road across a frozen lake, these ephemeral routes carry an extra sense of adventure.
 

In western France, between the mainland and the island of Noirmoutier, lies the passage du gois —a cobblestone causeway that disappears beneath the Atlantic twice every day. For about six hours, it’s a perfectly drivable road, linking the island to the mainland. Then, the tide returns, swallowing it entirely.

The Passage du Gois has existed for centuries, serving fishermen, traders, and islanders long before modern bridges. Today, it’s a bucket-list drive for adventurous travelers, but timing is everything. Large tide tables are posted at both ends, and the authorities strongly warn against ignoring them—more than a few cars have been caught mid-crossing, stranded by fast-rising waters.

The charm of the Passage du Gois lies not only in its rarity but also in its beauty. When the sea recedes, the road emerges like a secret revealed, glistening under the sun. It’s a reminder that some journeys depend entirely on nature’s schedule, not ours.
 

Ice Roads of Canada – Highways Made of Frozen Water
 

In the remote northern regions of Canada, winter brings an extraordinary transformation: rivers, lakes, and tundra become part of the highway network. These “ice road'' road connect isolated communities to the outside world, often for just two to three months each year.

One of the most famous is the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road, stretching across frozen lakes in the Northwest Territories. It’s an essential supply route for diamond mines, but for locals and adventurous drivers, it’s also an awe-inspiring experience—driving over crystal-clear ice that’s meters thick.

The catch? Come spring, these roads simply vanish. By April, they’re gone, replaced by open water and impassable marsh. They’re a striking example of how climate and necessity shape temporary travel, creating routes that are both practical and surreal.
 

Shandur Pass Polo Ground, Pakistan – A Festival Street in the Sky
 

At 3,700 meters above sea level, Shandur Pass in northern Pakistan is known as the “Roof of the World.” For most of the year, it’s a remote and rugged plateau accessible only by trekking trails and dirt tracks. But every July, for just three days, it transforms into a lively avenue of tents, food stalls, and music for the annual Shandur Polo Festival.

During this time, temporary pathways and walkways are carved into the grassy expanse, creating a pop-up street that buzzes with life. It’s not a street in the conventional sense, but it functions like one—connecting the polo ground to camping areas, vendors, and performance spaces.

Once the festival ends, the makeshift street disappears. The plateau returns to silence, with only wind and grazing yaks as company. The fleeting nature of the Shandur “street” makes it even more magical—you can’t experience it unless you’re there for those few precious days.
 

Mont Saint-Michel, the fairy-tale island monastery off France’s Normandy coast, is connected to the mainland by a causeway. But before a modern elevated bridge was built, access depended entirely on the tide. For centuries, the only route to the abbey was a tidal road that vanished twice daily, much like the Passage du Gois.

Even today, certain walking routes across the bay are still seasonal and tide-dependent. Guided walking tours lead visitors along sandbanks and shallow water, but the “street” exists only briefly—shift your timing, and you’ll find yourself wading through chest-deep waves instead of strolling across firm sand.

These transient routes carry echoes of medieval pilgrimages, where timing your arrival wasn’t just a matter of convenience, but of survival.
 

Venice is already famous for its canals, but during the Carnival season, something unusual happens: floating platforms and temporary walkways appear across certain waterways, creating “streets” that last only for the duration of the festivities.

These temporary connections allow costumed revelers to move from square to square without needing gondolas or water taxis, and they often lead to exclusive performance spaces or hidden party venues. Once Carnival ends, the platforms vanish, and Venice returns to its usual maze of permanent bridges and boat routes.

For travelers, walking these fleeting streets is a chance to see Venice in an entirely new way—part stage set, part living history.
 

In the Indian region of Ladakh, the Zanskar River freezes over in the dead of winter, creating a natural ice pathway known as the Chadar Trek. For about six weeks between January and February, locals and trekkers can walk on this frozen “street,” connecting villages that are otherwise isolated by snow-covered mountain passes.

The Chadar isn’t a road in the traditional sense—it’s more of a frozen footpath—but it plays the same role, linking communities and facilitating trade. By March, the ice melts, and the river roars back to life, cutting off the route until the next deep freeze.

This is one of the most visually stunning seasonal “streets” in the world, surrounded by towering cliffs, frozen waterfalls, and absolute silence.
 

Why Temporary Streets Capture Our Imagination
 

Part of the allure of streets that only exist a few days a year is their impermanence. They’re not something you can bookmark for “next time” in the same way you might plan to revisit a famous landmark. They demand that you be in the right place at exactly the right time.

They also challenge our idea of what a street is. Streets are usually symbols of permanence—anchors of urban life. But these seasonal and tide-dependent pathways remind us that human movement is also shaped by nature, tradition, and fleeting opportunity.
 

Tips for Visiting Streets That Only Exist Briefly
 

Check Dates and Conditions – Tide charts, festival schedules, and weather reports are essential.

Travel with a Local Guide – Especially for tidal or ice roads, safety depends on insider knowledge.

Bring the Right Gear – Waterproof boots for tidal crossings, crampons for ice routes, or festival attire for celebratory lanes.

Have a Backup Plan – Nature doesn’t always cooperate, so be prepared for delays or cancellations.