25 Most Dangerous Roads In The World To Always Avoid
Are you up for taking the ultimate road trip? For plenty of years, roads have provided people an efficient way to travel. However, that's not always the case since some roads are heavily traveled and worn down dramatically.
Others are remote, winding, or extremely narrow that make them almost impossible to drive down. Whatever the case may be, however, you will be thankful that walking from work to home isn't so bad.
Cotopaxi Volcano Road In Ecuador Is A Challenge
The 40-km long dirt track links the Pan American highway with the Cotopaxi Volcano Road. There are many vulnerable sections that are branching off the highway too. There's a little bit of everything, from enormous potholes, slippery slopes, and all around dangerous driving conditions.
Seriously, unless you're a professional driver, don't even try to navigate your way through.
Atlantic Road Is The Most Dangerous Road In All Of Norway
The twisting ribbon of nothing but concrete might look beautiful, but don't be fooled because driving along the Atlantic Road will feel like a roller coaster ride. It's even worse when the weather isn't on your side.
In this part of the world, it's visibility can disappear in a matter of seconds, so you have to stay alert as you twist and turn.
Pan-American Highway Has Been Named The Longest Motorable Road In The World
It's the longest motorable road and when you see just how far it stretches, you'll see why. It extends from Alaska all the way down to the tip of South America, about 19,000 miles in total.
Now, can picture crossing two continents and traversing through jungles, mountains, and more? It sounds like it's coming out of Need for Speed.
Karakoram Highway Is The Highest Paved Road In The World
The highway connects China and Pakistan 15,400 feet above sea level. There are no barriers, and many drivers have been victims of altitude sickness or distracted by the gorgeous views. Because of its high elevation and how difficult it was to construct, it's even referred to as the Eighth Wonder Of The World.
The good news? There are plans to widen the road from 32 feet to nearly 100.
Tizi-N-Test In Morocco Became The First Modern Road Link Between Marrakech and Souss Plains
The narrow winding road was blasted out of the rock in the 1920s. The steep drops mean it's best to avoid if you suffer from vertigo. Local drivers are known to drive along the road at break-neck speeds, so you can probably guess who's a local and who's a tourist.
During the winter, landslides and avalanches occur almost on a daily basis.
Guoliang Tunnel In China Has 30 Windows Carved Out Of The Rock
The inside of this 3/4 mile road tunnel is only 16 feet tall. It's in the Taihang Mountains of Henan Province in China. It's not recommended to stop and take a selfie with the carved out windows, but as you can see, that's what this lady is doing.
Oh, and before it was built, locals from the village used a ladder to get back and forth.
North Yungas Highway In Bolivia Was Once The Main Route To The City's Capital
It went into La Paz, which holds the honor of the world's highest capital city. Eventually, authorities built a shiny new highway, and locals continued to speed down the road.
One of the most unnerving sights is the dozens of makeshift memorials, which are dedicated to those who lost their lives.
Zojila Pass In India Is 11,500 Feet Above Sea Level
The Himalayan highway connects Ladakh and Kashmir. The uneven road surface means it's only really suitable for off-road vehicles. During the winter months, wind, snow, and rain make the road even more of a challenge, and you can't expect the average car to be able to push through.
It's another spot on this list where it's probably best not to look down.
Rodovia da Morte Is Nicknamed The Highway Of Death
The BR-116 is the second-longest highway in Brazil. It's the home to more than a thousand deaths every year. The cliff section that leads up to Sao Paulo is extremely dangerous.
It's mostly due to poor weather conditions and winding roads that run very close to the mountain's edge.
Taroko Gorge Road In Taiwan Is The Most Dangerous In The Country
A road that features blind bends and mountain drops, the Taroko Gorge is also filled with massive typhoons. Plus, seismic activity can add on to the dangers of the roads. It contributes to over 95,000 deaths in Taiwan every year.
It's not as "Magnificent and Splendid" as the translated name suggests.
Rock Slides at Khardung La Are a Serious Concern
Khardung La is a mountain pass in India which boasts an elevation of 17,359 feet at its highest point. It's often incorrectly cited as the highest vehicle-accessible pass in the world. While this isn't true, Khardung La is still notable and considered very dangerous.
If the threat of a rock slide pummeling your car isn't your idea of a good time, maybe take another route.
Caucasus Road In Russia Is a Hot Mess
Unpaved? Check. Narrow? Check. Difficult to navigate? Double check. To put it simply, Caucasus Road in Russia (also known as Route M29) is a hot mess that tests drivers' ability to maintain their composure.
When you add rain or snow to the mix, things only get more challenging. Oh, and did we mention part of the road dissects a mountain?
Only Experienced Swimmers Should Take the Le Passage du Gois
Le Passage du Gois in France is unique because it cuts through a body of water. While this makes for a scenic driver at times, it also means that high tide is a nightmare. In fact, drivers are advised to take caution even when the tide is low as rouge waves tends to splash over the side.
There have been numerous incidents of cars being completely submerged.
Road to Hana Boasts Ocean and Mountain Views
The Road to Hana is a must for travelers visiting the island of Maui. The Road to Hana is famous for its natural beauty, unblemished landscapes, and incredible waterfalls.
While the majority of the road is paved, drivers should still be cautious of narrow pathways and steep cliffs.
Stelvio Pass Road Requires Serious Skills to Traverse
Located in the Italian Alps, Stelvio Pass is just 1.7 miles long but is considered to be the most-winding road in the world. With switchbacks aplenty, this road challenges even the most experienced drivers.
If you take this route, it's advised that you (or whoever is driving) has some serious maneuverability skills!
There Have Been 82,000 Accidents on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway In the Last 20 Years
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway is breathtaking and one of the most statistically dangerous roads in the world.
Thanks to frequent avalanches, rock slide, and generally poor weather in the area, the highway is prone to accidents. In fact, in the last two decades, there have been 82,000 accidents or 5.1 accidents per every 10,000 vehicles.
A44 is Responsible for Numerous Head-On Collisions
A44 runs from Oxford to Aberystwyth in the United Kingdom. Upon first glance, the road may seem like your normal thorough fare, but don't be fooled.
A44 changes what side of the road drivers are required to drive on, which is not only confusing, but potentially deadly — especially for unfamiliar drivers. It's no surprise that this road experiences a significant number of head-on collisions.
Transfăgărășan Should Be Traversed With Extreme Caution
Romania's highest road draws drivers in with the promise of breathtaking views — but Transfăgărășan should only be traversed with extreme caution.
Climbing to an altitude of 6,699 feet, Transfăgărășan is dotted with sharp descents, long S-curves, and hairpin turns. Due to its topography, the average speed limit is just 25 miles per hour, but daredevils often push the limits.
