Most of the treacherous routes are in the mountains, where there is a risk of not only falling into the abyss, but also becoming a victim of a landslide. We offer you the top deadly dangerous roads.
When planning a trip from point “A” to point “B”, each driver carefully chooses the safest and highest quality route. The road is the most popular link connecting countries, cities, and various settlements. They are different: wide, narrow, straight and winding. And there are roads that, in the usual sense of the word, are difficult to call “road”.
1. Bolivia – Death Road
First place in the ranking of the most dangerous roads in the world is occupied by the forty-mile Yungas Highway in Bolivia, which annually claims more than a hundred lives. It is rightly called the “Road of Death”. On a stretch of about 70 km connecting La Paz and Coroico, more than 25 cars crash every year and 100-200 people die. This is an extremely narrow, winding road with steep slopes and slippery surfaces. Due to tropical rainfall, landslides are common, and thick fog significantly reduces visibility. The worst road accident in Bolivian history happened on July 24, 1983. Then a bus with more than 100 people on board fell into the canyon. However, this is almost the only road connecting northern Bolivia with the capital, so its operation continues today. Since the early 1990s, the Death Road has become a place of tourist pilgrimage among foreigners. In December 1999, a car carrying eight tourists from Israel fell into the abyss. But this does not stop those who like to “tickle their nerves”.
2. Brazil – BR-116
The second longest road in Brazil, which stretches from Porto Allegre to Rio de Janeiro. The section of road from the city of Curatiba to Sao Paulo stretches along steep cliffs, at times going into tunnels cut into the stone. Due to numerous fatal accidents, this road was nicknamed the “Highway of Death.”
3. China – Guolliang Tunnel
Locals call this undoubtedly dangerous road “the road that does not forgive mistakes.” The path, carved into the rock by hand, was the only link between the local village and the outside world. It took 5 years to build and many locals died in accidents during construction. On May 1, 1977, the authorities built a tunnel, which is 1,200 meters long, and opened it to road traffic.
4. China Sichuan – Tibet Highway
This high mountain road is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Its length is 2412 km. It begins in the east of China in Sichuan province, and ends in the west in Tibet. The highway passes 14 high mountains, the average height of which is 4000-5000 meters, and covers dozens of rivers and forests. Due to numerous dangerous sections, the number of fatal accidents on this highway has increased many times in recent years.
5. Costa Rica - Pan American Highway
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Pan-American Highway is the longest highway in the world. It starts in North America and ends in the southern regions of South America, which is 47,958 km. A relatively small section of this road passes through Costa Rica, and has been called “the bloodiest route.” And the point is that this road runs along the country’s picturesque tropical forests and construction work is not being carried out there. During the monsoon, parts of the highway are washed away, often leading to fatal accidents. In addition, the road here is narrow and crooked, and floods and landslides often occur.
6. France – Passage du Gois
Not only high mountain roads can be unsafe and threaten human life. The 4.5 km long Passage de Gois motorway in France is impressive and intimidating at the same time. This road is only open to traffic a few hours a day. The rest of the day it is hidden under water. When setting off on the road, you first need to carefully study the tide schedule, otherwise your car will simply drown.
7. Northern Italy – Vicenza
This path is built in the footsteps of an ancient path, and you can only move along it on motorcycles and bicycles. It is a narrow and rather slippery path that runs along rocks and cliffs. Incredibly stunning landscapes open up for extreme sports enthusiasts, and, despite its danger, this road is very popular among tourists.
8. Mexico - Devil's Backbone
In the Mexican state of Durango there is a road known as the "Devil's Backbone". This mountain pass for a long time remained the only connecting link between the cities of Durango and Mazatlan. To get from one settlement to another, local residents will need at least five hours. But from a bird's eye view, The Devil's Backbone is a fascinating sight. Agree that you don’t see such a picture often. But for local residents, this road remains the most dangerous and longest, and throughout the entire journey people pray to get there alive.
9. Alaska - Dalton Highway
The most snowy and isolated track in the world. Intended exclusively for transportation of construction materials. The first car drove along it in 1974. It is noteworthy that the length of this road is exactly 666 km! Along the entire route there are three small villages with a population of 10, 22 and 25 people respectively. And if your car suddenly breaks down, you won’t be envied. Experienced drivers always have everything they need with them: from a supply of water to a first aid kit.
10. Russia – Federal highway M56 Lena
Popularly known as the “Highway from Hell,” this 1,235 km long road runs parallel to the Lena River all the way to Yakutsk. This northern city is considered one of the coldest cities on earth, with an average monthly January temperature of -45 ° C. It is noteworthy that the worst time to move along it is in the summer. At this time of year, traffic on the road is practically paralyzed due to heavy rains and hundred-kilometer traffic jams form. In 2006, this road was recognized as one of the most dangerous.
11. Philippines - Halsema Expressway
It is generally difficult to call such a “road” with this word. It starts out as a cobblestone street and gradually turns into a pile of dirt. The length of the road is almost 250 km, and it will take at least 10 hours to travel along it from start to finish, even in good weather. This is a very narrow road with frequent rockfalls, but is the only way to get to Luzon. Due to frequent fatal accidents, this route has been named one of the most dangerous in the world.
12. Norway – Troll Staircase
This road is also known as "Troll Road". She is dangerous and beautiful at the same time. The route looks like a mountain serpentine, has 11 steep loops (hairpins), and is open to travel only in spring and summer. But even during this period, cars with a length of more than 12.5 meters are prohibited from passing, because in some places the road width does not exceed 3.3 meters.
13. Pakistan – Karakoram Highway
This route is the highest mountain road in the world, and its length is 1,300 km. There is almost no road surface on it. In addition, snow avalanches and debris on the passes are not uncommon here.
14. India – Leh-Manali
The road is located amidst the Himalayan mountain range and is approximately 500 km long. It was built by the Indian Army and passes through some of the highest mountain passes in the world, reaching 4850 m. It is considered one of the most difficult in the world due to frequent snowfalls, landslides and difficult terrain.
15. Egypt - Luxor-al-Hurghada highway
Speaking about the most dangerous roads in the world, one cannot fail to mention the familiar road from Hurghada to Luxor. There are no cliffs, there are no landslides or floods, and the road surface is in fairly good condition. The main danger on this highway is terrorism and banditry. Tourists were often robbed and kidnapped. That is why this tourist route is always accompanied by the military.
16. Japan – Eshima Ohashi
Our review ends with a bridge road in Japan. It is the only road connecting the two cities. Its length is 1.7 km and its width is 11.3 m. The track is built at such an angle that if you look at it from a distance, the idea of driving to such a height and at such an angle seems unrealistic. And all this so that ships could sail under the road-bridge.
People living in Russia can be frightened by various things, but not by roads. Almost any foreign curiosity from the above list will have an analogue in its native country, or perhaps not just one, but dozens! But still, let's see what the rest of the planet's inhabitants are afraid of and which roads have earned them the reputation of being the most dangerous and terrifying.
1. Mountain Death Road
The old route from the Bolivian capital La Paz to the city of Coroico - northern Las Yungas - has a second, more commonly used name: El Camino de la Muerte, that is, the Road of Death. These 64 km of asphalt, which lead down the edge of the Altiplano mountain from an altitude of 4650 meters to an altitude of 1200 meters, were built by Paraguayan prisoners of war during the 1930s.
Traffic on the Road of Death (unlike other Bolivian highways) is allowed in both directions, but the road surface here is no wider than 3 meters and does not have a safety fence.
The monstrous difference in altitude between the upper and lower points of the Death Road is the reason that travelers descending it go from high-mountain coolness to tropical heat. Because of this, rain, fog, landslides and landslides are so frequent on a short section of the road. In some places, waterfalls run from the mountain directly onto the asphalt.
As a result, any awkwardness or mistake by the driver can lead to a fall into an abyss 600 meters deep.
Everywhere on the road you can see memorial signs and markers indicating the places of the disaster, the fall of cars and the death of people. Every year the Road of Death claimed dozens of lives. On July 24, 1983, a bus fell off it, killing more than a hundred people.
Finally, in the late 90s, the Bolivian authorities built a backup road, a new and safer one. But the Death Road was not closed: it became a tourist attraction. Guides take foreigners along it and organize extreme cycling tours.
2. Death Railway
The 415-kilometer-long railway track (of which 13 km are bridges) between Bangkok (Thailand) and Rangoon (Burma) is also called the Death Road, but not because of the danger of traveling along it, but because its construction caused the death of several thousand people. . Perhaps a more accurate name would be Road of the Dead.
This is probably the only construction project in the world recognized by the courts as a war crime.
In 1942, Imperial Japan invaded Burma from Thailand, retaking it from Britain. To supply Japanese troops in the Burma Campaign, it was necessary to build a road.
When the British ruled Burma, they found it an impossible task to navigate almost half a thousand kilometers through hilly jungle with many rivers.
However, the samurai were not embarrassed by the grandiose plan. After all, they did not intend to build with their own hands. And they weren’t going to pay for the work. They used the labor of 180 thousand Asian convicts and 60 thousand prisoners of war - British, Australians, Dutch, Americans and other participants in the anti-Hitler coalition. The working and maintenance conditions were such that about 90 thousand Asian convicts and 16 thousand prisoners of war died during construction. After the war, Hiroshi Abe, a prison camp guard, was found personally responsible for the deaths of 3,000 prisoners and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The road was built in 1943, but as a result of military operations it fell into disrepair. However, 130 km of the track were reconstructed after the war. There were even plans to completely restore the road.
In the meantime, riding the Hell's Pass route near the city of Kanchanaburi northwest of the Thai capital - where the train skirts sheer cliffs and passes several wooden bridges - is one of the popular tourist attractions.
It is unknown whether ghosts are found there. Nowadays, the only reminders of the sad events on the Death Road are the classic film “The Bridge on the River Kwai” and several museums and memorial cemeteries.
3. Glass Trail and “Heaven’s Gate”
On Mount Tianmen, one of the highest peaks in China (1518.6 meters above sea level), in a national park near the city of Zhangjiajie, an amazing tourist complex has been built, part of which is a unique glass trail and the longest and highest cable car in the world. Its spans reach 500 m, and its total length is 7455 m! The name of the road in Chinese sounds very romantic: “Gateway to Heaven.” But in English the romance is already dubious: the name Heaven’s Gate rather betrays the wary attitude of many travelers who had the opportunity to spend several eerie and exciting minutes in a cabin suspended in the middle of the clouds on a steel cable.
Many people feel timid here. But if there are those who are not frightened by the height of the cable car, then the suspended glass path will instill fear in anyone. A suspended path leads along the mountain right along the edge of the abyss among bizarre relict trees. In some places the floor of the suspended walkway is glass. You can see the clouds under your feet. And remember the fragility and frailty of earthly existence.
However, no accidents or disasters have ever happened on the Heavenly Gate Mountain: all the structures are very reliable.
4. Controversial road
The Karakoram Highway, although laid on the ground, plunges into the clouds in many sections. This highest mountain highway in the world runs from the city of Abbottabad in Pakistan to the Chinese city of Kashgar and is considered one of the most dangerous roads on the planet.
The Karakoram Highway repeats the Great Silk Road of antiquity. From above there are beautiful, uniquely beautiful views, but travelers face many dangers in the form of rain, landslides, storms, winds, snow drifts, rubble and altitude sickness. On average, there are only 30-40 meters of asphalt per 20 kilometers of road. But what is even more unpleasant is that this road runs between the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, that is, territories that have been the cause of bitter disputes between India and Pakistan for more than 60 years. An area of border conflicts, where, in addition to the harsh nature, the rule of force and weapons reigns - that is what the Karakoram Highway is. However, adventurous cyclists and bikers love to travel along it.
5. The Ruthless Road
The name of this route, carved into the rocks of Taihan in the Chinese province of Guolian, is “The Road that Unforgives Mistakes.”
Residents of a local village built it in 1997 to be able to get to the “mainland” from their sky-high heights.
The highway is a 1200 meter tunnel in a mountain 15 feet high and 12 feet wide. There are 30 windows, perhaps so that claustrophobes can calm their nerves by looking outside and admiring the vast abyss below.
Really very beautiful. Local residents travel the road mainly on bicycles. But cars often flew off it into a cliff. After all, this is a road that does not forgive mistakes.
6. Road without insurance
In the second half of the 19th century, this road was built in New Zealand to give local miners access to the gold-bearing canyon. At the same time, for some reason the road is called the Captains Road - Skippers Road.
Now, in order to travel along it, drivers must obtain permission. But most insurance companies warn that they will not cover the losses of such risk-seekers if something happens.
However, adventure tourists from nearby Queenstown love day trips along this dangerous road. It's very beautiful there. And then, listen: the Road of Captains has passed. Without insurance. Sounds proud!
7. Deserted road
Luxor-Hurghada is a famous tourist route in Egypt, connecting recreation areas along the Red Sea coast with the ancient pharaonic city of Luxor. The highway is 280 km long with a good and smooth road surface; the journey along it takes only 4-5 hours.
And yet many people died on this road. The thing is that people travel here mainly at night, avoiding the scorching heat of the desert during the day. When drivers rush along the highway with their headlights off, they often collide head-on, not seeing each other in the columns of dust.
Why don't they turn on the headlights? The fact is that driving on this road with your headlights on is even more dangerous. Terrorists, robbers, all kinds of robbers flock to this world like moths. The consequences are sad. In 1997, Islamist fanatics shot 62 German tourists here.
8. The longer, the more lethal
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Pan American Highway is the longest highway in the world. It begins in Alaska, North America, and ends in the southernmost regions of South America.
The section of road passing through Costa Rica is the bloodiest section of this route.
The scenic route leads through tropical forests, wild places almost untouched by civilization. It’s beautiful, but renovation work is carried out here too rarely. So some sections of the Pan-American Highway simply wash away during the rainy season. And after floods, landslides can occur here at any time of the year.
So this road is full of surprises, but some of them are deadly.
9. Ice road
The Canadian towns of Inuvik and Tuktoyak are located in the very north of Canada. They are so far from the “mainland” that no roads exist in those places except the winter road on the ice of the Mackenzie River.
Every winter, road services measure the thickness of the ice and allow or prohibit opening traffic. They clear the road and save the unfortunate people caught in a snowstorm - storms in this region of Canada are treacherous and always strike suddenly.
There is also a constant danger of running into a crack in the ice or getting caught in a snow drift. Canadians and Americans consider the Tuktoyak Ice Road to be extreme. Of course, winter roads are commonplace in Russia; almost every village uses them.
10. Cattle Road
The Canning Stock Route in Australia is, in fact, a former route along which the first white settlers drove their herds.
This is one of the most remote roads in the world from civilization. Walking along it is very difficult, because it crosses 1850 km of absolutely deserted desert. To overcome this road, you will need at least a month of time, a technically impeccable car, as well as spare parts and the ability to repair any breakdowns with your own hands, solid supplies of water, provisions and fuel. Although some things can be purchased from the natives, one or two communities still live in this wilderness.
But, of course, there is no guarantee that they will have exactly what you need. Or that none of them will turn out to be cannibals.
11. Troll Road
Construction of the Norwegian Mountain Route began at the end of the 19th century, but was completed only in 1936.
This is the most fabulous road in the world, as it leads travelers along the Troll's Cap mountain, through the towns of the Troll's Hut and the Troll's Church.
There are 11 loops on the winding road, the width of the roadway does not exceed three meters. Cars travel along this route only in spring and summer. The rest of the year is too dangerous.
To overcome this difficult road, visiting tourists often hire drivers from among local residents: they are probably better versed in all these wild trolls.
12. Dodgy road
Once upon a time, this area was the border between Italy and Austria-Hungary. As they say, both yours and ours. Maybe that’s why the road through the Prato Pass in the local mountains turned out to be so... dodgy.
A trip along it can be quite nerve-wracking, especially if you drive into a cloud at the top and get caught in freezing rain just below. It is not for nothing that such a capricious road was called Stelvio Pass - “Queen of Zigzags”.
You can drive along it by car from June to September. In winter it is a luge track. Again: both ours and yours, two in one. But at least something is now certain: the road is recognized as Italian territory.
13. Road to nowhere
The American highway in New Mexico, near Albuquerque, is called by locals “the road to nowhere.” It leads to the San Mateo Mountains and ends there. Tourists enjoyed driving along it to admire the views. However, since 2000, 17 people have disappeared without a trace on this road. And this is only confirmed official data.
There are no turns or branches on the road and, in theory, there is nowhere to escape from it. Nevertheless, the road seems to swallow careless drivers, and sometimes entire families. People seem to disappear into thin air. State police and the tourism board recently recognized the existence of the mystery of this land-based Bermuda Triangle. Government officials, private enthusiasts, and various kinds of psychics tried to uncover the secret of the Road to Nowhere. And yet, to this day no one has succeeded.
In conclusion, I would like to remind you: in Russia we have plenty of everything. And the terrible roads are just like mud. True, we didn’t get glass ones - the climate doesn’t allow it.
Twenty-five years ago, a bus overcrowded with passengers fell off a steep cliff in the Bolivian Andes. More than a hundred people died, being buried at the bottom of the canyon under a huge pile of sand, writes Forbes. Unlike many other tragedies, this one was not caused by alcohol, speeding or negligent driving, just a small miscalculation of the kind that many experienced drivers make every day.
This topic continues a series of LifeGlobe stories about the most dangerous cities in the world. In addition to it, we decided to write about the roads :) Some roads are more forgiving of small mistakes in driving, some less so, but the Old Yungas Roads highway does not forgive anything. This incident remains one of the most terrible in the history of Bolivia and, unfortunately, not the only one. Every year, the number of deaths among those who dare to drive along the forty-mile Old Yungas Road exceeds one hundred. Ironically, this route has become a place of tourist pilgrimage among those foreigners who want to add “riding the most dangerous road in the world” to their list of achievements. But this route is not the only one of its kind. There are enough roads in the world that deserve the dubious title of “The Most Dangerous in the World.”
A non-profit organization in Washington, D.C., there are at least nine roads that rival the Old Yungas Trail in its dubious popularity. The AMA compiled data on broken down cars, local road regulations, government support for road maintenance and several other factors provided by the US State Department, the UN, the International Health Organization and other organizations to determine the most dangerous roads in the world. Since different organizations provide different data on safety and accident statistics, ABMDP collected all possible information and analyzed it to ensure that the results were as objective as possible.
1.The North Yungas Road, Bolivia
This road is called “Death Road”
On this stretch of about 70 kilometers, connecting La Paz and Coroico, more than 25 cars crash every year, killing 100-200 people. According to some sources, the road was built in the 1930s by Paraguayan prisoners. Others say that an American construction company worked here in the 70s. The road descends from a height of 3.6 thousand meters to 330 meters above sea level. There are very steep slopes and slippery and muddy surfaces. In some places on this winding and extremely narrow “road” it is impossible for two cars to pass each other - you need to stop, go forward, sort it out and negotiate. By the way, one of the local road rules requires the driver of a car going downhill to stay on the outer edge of the road, and vehicles going uphill always have priority right of way. In some places, even one truck fits miraculously, despite the fact that trucks and buses are the main transport on the “Road of Death.” And for those who love flying more than driving on roads - a story about the most dangerous runways in the world
Often, due to thick fog, the road can only be seen a few meters ahead. And then you need to move very slowly and carefully. Not only to avoid colliding with oncoming traffic - due to tropical downpours, landslides often occur, and a piece of the road can simply be washed away. This is the recipe for mortal fear.
The road received its name relatively recently, in December 1999, when a car carrying eight Israeli tourists fell into the abyss. But this is not the loudest accident on this route. On July 24, 1983, a bus with more than a hundred passengers fell into the canyon here - to date this is the worst accident in the entire history of Bolivia. Local residents, if they have to travel through the “road of death,” pray to get there alive. After all, if something happened, it would take more than an hour to get to the nearest hospital. Along the same road, by the way.
However, North Yungas Road is one of the few routes connecting northern Bolivia with the capital, so its operation does not stop, no matter what. Since the early 1990s, the road's deadly dangers have made it a popular tourist attraction.
Many people come here to raise the level of adrenaline in their blood by going down it on an SUV or mountain bike, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h in some sections. Not everyone returns. But those who managed to travel along it and survive compare this route with conquering Everest. And ordinary Bolivians continue to “conquer” this road every day.
2. BR-116, Brazil
The second longest road in Brazil, BR-116, stretches from Porto Allegre through Curatiba and Sao Paulo, all the way to Rio de Janeiro. The section of road from Curatiba to Sao Paulo was nicknamed “Rodovia da Morte” (Highway of Death). And again, not in vain. The highway stretches along steep cliffs, and at times turns into tunnels made in stone. As a result, tourist guides write that “accidents and fatal car accidents occur all the time” on this road.
3. Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China
The 2,412 km long Sichuan-Tibet Highway starts from Chengdu in Sichuan Province in the east and ends at Lhasa in Tibet in the west. The road extends to Lhasa near Ya'an, Garze and Chamdo. The Sichuan-Tibet Highway passes through 14 high mountains, average 4000-5000m, covers dozens of famous rivers (Dadu River, Jinsha River, Lantsang River, Nujiang River), crosses primeval forests and numerous dangerous areas. These are breathtaking views of the line, with unique ethnic customs.
The highway is located on the mountains, which is very high, the roads are narrow, it is often cloudy and definitely dangerous.
Over the past 20 years (from 1985 to 2005), the number of road traffic deaths in China has almost doubled (from 3.9 to 7.6 per 100,000 population). During this time, the number of cars on the road has increased, as have other vehicles, mainly motorcycles. According to Xinhua News Agency, in 2006 there were almost 82,000 fatal accidents on the roads, in other words, for every 10,000 vehicles there were 5.1 fatalities. The irony is that the highest rates of road deaths were found in the least densely populated regions. Undoubtedly, the high mountain road from Sichuan to Tibet, especially on the Chengdu-Tibet section, where landslides and rock avalanches are common, is one of the most problematic in this sense
4. Pan American Highway, Costa Rica
The "longest motor road in the world" (according to the Guinness Book of Records) is another killer, at least in Costa Rica.
The Pan-American Highway begins in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in North America and ends in southern South America.
Although only a small section of the road passes through Costa Rica, it nevertheless can compete for the title of the bloodiest highway. This road is one of the few routes leading to the country's picturesque tropical forests. But leaving the rainforest untouched comes at a price: due to the lack of construction, sections of the Pan-American Highway are washed away during the rainy season and remain, at best, a dangerous route at other times of the year. just when the traffic is heaviest.
Here the roads are narrow and crooked, surrounded by steep cliffs, and floods and landslides often occur here.
5. Coastal Roads, Croatia
Compared to other roads from our topic, the roads of the Croatian coast look simply childish, but that’s not the point. The problem here is the “hot” Croatians who love to drive around on sharp turns. Therefore, no fewer accidents occur here than on more dangerous roads.
Good news for the throngs of tourists flocking to Croatia's fishing villages and seaside resorts on the Dalmatian (Adriatic) coast: they don't have to worry about land mines left over from the breakup of Yugoslavia. A much more serious danger lies in the coastal roads and numerous reckless Croatians.
6. Cotopaxi Volcan, Ecuador
If you are traveling in Ecuador, be careful, the roads here are dangerous, and the most dangerous of them is the one that extends slightly south of the capital (Quito), the Cotopaxi Volcano Highway. It's 25 miles of dirt road riddled with dangerous curves that leads from the Pan American Highway to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park. The road is full of potholes, and in addition, there is a high probability of landslides and mudflows. Add to this the numerous old cars and their less experienced drivers, and you can assume that you have a fair idea of what it is like to “drive a car in the jungle.”
7. Luxor-al-Hurghada Road, Egypt
This road connects recreation areas along the Red Sea coast with the ancient southern city of Luxor. The Luxor-Hurghada highway is a real road of death. At night, drivers race through the dusty desert with their headlights off, colliding head-on with each other. Ironically, on the Luxor-Hurghada highway, the only thing more dangerous than driving at night with your headlights off is driving at night with your headlights on. Bandits, robbers and even terrorists patrol the dark road in search of easy prey. In 1997, 62 German tourists died at the hands of terrorists on this road.
8. A44, UK
The A44 from Oxford to Aberystwyth is a narrow two-lane road that has seen so many road traffic accidents in recent years that it has become notorious as a road where CCTV cameras are installed to try and reduce the number of accidents. Considering that 25% of all accidents on this highway are head-on collisions, caution really doesn't hurt.
9. Road Patiopoulo-Perdikaki, Greece
Even though the Ottoman Empire occupied Greece for 400 years, they failed to conquer one small mountainous region in the central part of the country - Agatha. They had military power, political will and all that, but the Turks simply did not know how to approach him. The roads in this mountainous region are now as dangerous and steep as they were in those days.
10. Grand Trunk Road, India to Afghanistan
This road was built in the 16th century, connecting the main cities of India with the cities of Pakistan and Afghanistan and, unfortunately, has not changed at all since then. The road is chronically crowded with carts, animals, bicycles and pedestrians, not to mention the huge number of cars and buses.
It was the top ten most dangerous roads in the world according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel.
But I would like to present to your attention a couple more roads, which are also the most dangerous. After looking at the photographs of these roads, I thought that some of them, such as the road that ranks 1st in this top ten, should not be located where they are. After all, nature has created boundaries: using huge rocks, steep slopes, stones and volcanoes, perhaps they were not intended to be crossed. But people are so stubborn that they have made roads there, but they cannot guarantee safety on these roads. There is always a risk, especially under such conditions, but risk has never stopped a person.
Guoliang Tunnel in Taihang Mountains (China). The name of the tunnel is translated from Chinese as “The Road That Makes No Mistakes.” First, a tunnel was created by villagers from the remote region of the Taihang Mountains to get to the outside world. Now the road is 15 feet high and 12 feet wide, which is quite scary for drivers. The tunnel has 30 windows to see what's what).
Halsema Highway, Philippines. A magnificent but dangerous road on the island of Luzon. In addition to paved parts of roads, landslides and large rocks, heavy fog is possible.
The A682 Road (England)
Grimsel Passage, Switzerland The Grimsel Pass, which is 2165 m high, is a Swiss high mountain pass between the Rhone River valley and the Haslital valley.
Taroko, Taiwan. Mount Teroko is a mountain in Taiwan with an elevation of 3,282 meters
Karakoram Highway, Pakistan towards China. The Karakoram Highway is the highest road on the planet, connecting Pakistan to China. This is a popular tourist route.
Skippers Canyon, New Zealand. The Canyon Road is carved out of shale rock and travels through some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand.
Be careful and careful while traveling on these roads!!!
We all love security. Therefore, we must know the places where there is risk. Here are the 15 most dangerous roads in the world (The Telegraph newspaper).
1. The North Yungas Road, Bolivia
This road is also known as the Road of Death and El Camino de la Muerte. What is she like? In front of you is a 60-kilometer road that was built by prisoners from Paraguay in the 20th century in the 30s. It starts from the capital of Bolivia
La Paz to the town of Corioco. Imagine, the road is no wider than 3 meters, but two-way traffic is allowed, and there are no warnings or safety restrictions. And drivers often have to contend with fog and rain along the way. Let's not think about the bad, but if you don't see it somewhere, you can fly from a height of 600 meters. It is worth noting that there are many such cases, and there are places on the road that indicate the dire consequences of driver miscalculations. Fortunately, in recent years the quality of the road has been slightly improved, especially in its most dangerous place.
2. Skippers Road, New Zealand
In the 19th century, miners wanted to build a path into a canyon rich in gold. It was then that the Captains' Road was built. It is now being introduced to thrill-seeking drivers as a one-day tour from Queenstown. But before getting on the road, drivers must obtain a special permit to travel. But insurance companies refuse to cover expected future damages from such a trip in extreme conditions. If you manage to go down the Captains' Road, then at the end of the road you will have the opportunity to try bungee jumping or river rafting.
3. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
The length of the road is 11,000 kilometers, it stretches from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. A huge section of the road was built by prisoners from the camps. The road is very heterogeneous; on it you can find both asphalt (western part of the country) and dirt (eastern part of the country). Basically, the road is in quite good condition, but if you are caught in bad weather, for example, rain, then be extremely careful. After all, some areas resemble impassable swamps when it rains. And, which is very pleasing, such areas have been significantly improved recently.
4. Karakoram Highway, China and Pakistan
The Karakoram Road is one of the highest roads in the world. It is laid between the city of Abbottabad (Pakistan, this city is also famous for the fact that Osama Bin Laden was hiding there) and the city of Kashgar. Of course, the high location of the road provides an opportunity to admire nature, and both cyclists and motorcyclists take advantage of this. Although, you can encounter many dangers, especially during rain, heavy snow, landslides and altitude sickness.
5. Stelvio Pass, Italy
This road has prepared a lot of difficulties for drivers. But first it must be said that it connects the Lombardy region with Austria. But the difficulties presented themselves in the fact that if we head along the road from the northern part, we will definitely encounter 48 incredibly sharp turns, from which we will be distracted by the unusually beautiful views of the Alpine Mountains. Although, the Stelvio road received its mark thanks to the Top Gear program. The program named the road as "the world's greatest drive." The only interesting thing is, do drivers agree with this?
6. Canning Stock Route, Australia
This road is considered the most remote among all other roads in the world. It is laid on a route of 1850 kilometers through the desert. But people who are chasing adventures have a very positive attitude towards this “short” part of the journey. To overcome this path, in addition to knowledge in cases of car breakdown, in addition to the necessary spare parts in which case, in addition to provisions and water, you will definitely need the car itself and another 3 weeks of time. Not enough, right? Gasoline can be added to the tank by purchasing it from local Aboriginal businessmen who sell it on this road.
7. Taroko Gorge, Taiwan
Those who are brave and full of courage can, while traveling along this mountain road, taste the beauty of the local nature, which pleases the eye with its unforgettable views. However, this area is prone to landslides due to heavy rain. Landslides occur at intervals of 3-4 times a year. Their precipitation reaches one meter. Of course, you first need to be confident in the weather forecasts, and then plan your route along the Taroko Gorge Road.
8. Dalton Highway, Alaska, USA
I would like to note that the 414-mile highway has become isolated. The purpose of building this road was to provide a supply route for industries in Alaska that produced oil. On the way you can meet only 3 cities, the total population of which is 60 people. Large trucks driving along the Dalton Highway create clouds of dirt and dust, which destroys all visibility on the road. And the highway itself is full of potholes. In addition, there are severe frosts in Alaska, which make travel very difficult.
9. Zoji Pass, India
This pass often experiences strong winds and snowfalls. This makes it simply impassable during winter. The roads are narrow and the cliffs are steep. But everyone probably forgot about the fence when they built the pass.
10. Trans-Saharan Highway, Algeria, Nigeria
The north of Algeria and the south of Lagos were connected by the Trans-Saharan Highway. Its length is 4,500 kilometers. All around are deserted desert landscapes of incredible beauty. Almost the entire section of the road is in good condition, it made up 85% of the entire route. But the rest are complete obstacles for the driver. On the way you can find only a couple of places where you can buy water and fuel. However, it is worth considering that there are a large number of kilometers between them. The most important obstacle can be considered both the heat of 50 degrees and sandstorms.
11. Transfagarasan, Romania
The distance of 90 kilometers belongs to the Transfagaras road. It surrounds the beautiful Carpathian Mountains in Romania. On it you can encounter sharp turns and descents, as well as a large number of tunnels. It is the reign of Nicolae Ceausescu in the 70s that is associated with the appearance of this road. It is worth noting that to pave this path, 6 million kilograms of dynamite and 40 soldiers’ lives were used at that time.
12. Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China
The road connected Chengdu and Lhasa with its 2,412 kilometers. In addition, the road was able to cross more than a dozen mountains. Of course, you can encounter a maximum of extreme moments on the road. Sometimes, it is worth noting, people are not afraid of obstacles in pursuit of beautiful views of natural beauty.
13. Kabul-to-Jalalabad Road, Afghanistan
This road in Afghanistan is comparable to the El Camino de la Muerte road, a distance of 60 kilometers. On its way there are not only cliffs and turns, but also the deaths of drivers. And, unfortunately, there are so many deaths that everyone has lost count. The territory itself is under the control of the Taliban. Before the construction of the road the situation was much better. British troops decided to retreat in 1842. They started their journey from Kabul. An estimated 16,500 soldiers and their families faced death along the way, once William Brydon reached Jalalabad in good health.
14. A 537, UK
The road has become Britain's Most Dangerous Road. Located between Buxton and Macclesfield. It is fraught with sharp and blind turns, as well as an incredible number of accidents. Some data: 2008 - 21 accidents. There are also dangerous roads in England - A 5012 (Pikehall to Matlock), A 621 (Baslow to Totley), A 625 (Calver to Sheffield), A 54 (Congleton to Buxton), A 581 (Rufford to Chorley), A 5004 ( Whaley Bridge to Buxton), A 675 (Blackburn to Preston), A 61 (Barnsley to Wakefield) and the A 285 (Chichester to Petworth).
15. Any Road, Eritrea
Little Eritrea has become the country with the highest number of road deaths per capita. This conclusion was made by the World Health Organization. For example, compared to China, which has 16.5 deaths per capita, or the US, 13.9 deaths, or the UK, 5.4 deaths, Eritrea had 48 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Quite awe-inspiring numbers. Drivers, be careful!
In his poem “The Road Less Traveled,” Robert Frost talks about what a successful walk he took when he chose a road he had not previously explored because it was radically different from the usual routes. And although the unknown road is more interesting, picturesque and filled with adventure, among other things, it can also be more dangerous. Cliffs, obstacles, holes... With the help of modern technologies and materials used in road construction, they are trying to minimize their danger to human life, but today the whole world is full of places where you should think a thousand times before setting foot.
There are no cliffs, sheer cliffs or sharp turns. A typical section of the Australian highway is 1100 km long. It would seem that what could be dangerous? Everything is simple and boring. Yes, but don't forget that the road is in southern Australia. This region is rich in wild animals. Kangaroos, emus, camels and many other animals often cause serious damage to cars. Dawn and sunset are the most dangerous periods, because usually it is at this time that animals try to cross the road.
The Transfagarasan road is a true legend among car enthusiasts. With spectacular descents and 90 kilometers of hairpin turns, the BBC Top Gear team named it "The Best Road in the World". It was built as a military route in the 1970s, during the reign of Nicolae Ceausescu. It is the second longest road in Romania and also connects the two highest mountains in the southern Carpathians. The paved track connects the historical regions of Transylvania and Wallachia, and its numerous switchbacks offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. There are more tunnels and viaducts here than on any other road in the country.
Stelvio Pass is considered the highest paved road in the Eastern Alps. It was built during the Austrian Empire between 1820-1825 and connects the Valtellina and Adige valleys. The road has very sharp turns. The unusual zigzag route looks like a child's scribbling. The sides of the highway are protected only by a low concrete fence, so even the most experienced drivers often feel dizzy. The road is open from June to September. It is at this time that numerous tourists come to the Eastern Alps to experience the extreme road.
The A537, nicknamed the Widow's Road and locally known as the Cat and Fiddle Road, is considered the most dangerous road in the UK. According to information provided by the UK Road Safety Foundation, 34 people died on the ten-kilometre stretch of road between 2006 and 2008, and 44 serious accidents occurred between 2007 and 2011. The track is particularly popular with motorcyclists and those who want to enjoy the open space of the English countryside. Sharp turns and drops, stone walls - all this makes the road very dangerous for drivers.
Locals call the Kolyma highway “Route” because it is the only main road in Eastern Siberia. It is also called the “Road of Bones” because it was built by thousands of political prisoners exiled to the region during the Stalinist regime. There are rumors that during the construction of the highway, many were shot and buried right here, under the road asphalt. In 2008, the Kolyma Highway was awarded the title of federal road. Actor Ewan McGregor traveled along the Kolyma highway especially for the TV show “Long Way Around”. Since then, it has attracted adventurers from all over the world.
The four-kilometer road in the eastern Himalayas connects Kullu, Lahaul and the Spiti valleys. The pass is famous for its numerous frequent landslides, unpredictable snow storms and avalanches; it is not surprising that the word “Rattan” means “mountain of corpses” in translation. The road is open from May to November. In 2010, a group of 300 tourists were stranded here due to a snow storm. A tunnel is currently being built under the pass to ensure safer traffic.
The Pakistani government has named the road "Friendship Highway", but there is absolutely nothing friendly about it for drivers or passengers. The Karakoram Highway is the highest asphalt road in the world (4800 meters). The 1,300 km stretch connects Pakistan to China via the Khunjerab Pass, as well as some of the highest mountains in the world, including Nanga Parbat, also known as “killer mountain”. Avalanches, landslides and floods often occur on the Karakoram Highway.
Trollstigen means "Troll Path" or "Troll Staircase". This is a very accurate description of the extremely dangerous mountain road that connects the towns of Åndalsnes and Valldal. In winter and spring it is closed due to heavy snowfalls, but in summer it is a very popular tourist route. It took eight years to build. It opened in 1936 as part of the Norwegian National Road 63. Although it has been widened in recent years, the section remains narrow. The 9% incline and 11 sharp turns are what sets it apart from many others. The government has issued a decree prohibiting vehicles longer than 12 meters from traveling on it. Nevertheless, there are parking lots and viewing platforms, and you can also admire the Stigfossen waterfall.
According to the International Road Safety Association, between 100 and 200 fatalities occur on the Yungas road each year. The 65-kilometer stretch of road connecting the capital La Paz and the jungle town of Coroico is called the “Road of Death,” but locals simply call it “winding.” It is decorated with a huge number of monuments and crosses that appeared here as a result of countless deaths. Because of this, the track looks more like a cemetery than a road. Yungas is located at an altitude of 3650 meters above sea level. Its width is only 3 meters. There is often fog here and landslides occur. In 2006, a safer route was built between La Paz and Coroico. However, this was not the reason that the extreme road was abandoned. Extreme cycling tours are often organized there for everyone who wants to tickle their nerves and tease death.
Formally, the highway is called a “ring road.” Highway 1 or A01 is part of a 2,200 km road network connecting Mazar, Kabul and Kandahar, as well as many other cities. However, it is the section connecting Kabul and Jalalabad that is the most dangerous. The narrow winding road rises to a height of 600 meters through the Kabul Gorge. However, harsh environmental conditions and poor infrastructure are just part of the problem. The route passes through Taliban territory, which is why it is so dangerous. There are numerous police checkpoints along the road. Patrols are sent here every day to provide security for NATO convoys. Bombs, ambushes, mortars, small arms fire, and extreme weather conditions make Highway 1 the most dangerous in the world.
And yet, despite all the dangers, drivers will have to travel thousands of kilometers along such roads, because it won’t be here soon, and they can’t save them from all the troubles.
