North Yungas Road, Bolivia
Back in the ’90s before an alternative and safer road was built, it was identified as the most extremely dangerous road in the world. Only thrill-seeking adventurers use it now, and for good reason.
Atlantic Highway, Norway
Considered one of the most scenic road trips in Europe, the Atlantic Rd has its dark moments.
The five-mile highway links islands between Kristansund and Molde, boasts eight bridges, and has an infamous stretch along the ocean that gets battered by massive waves and fierce winds during storms.
Conditions get crazy enough that you’ll wish you stayed in Oslo.
Guoliang Tunnel Road, China
The literal English translation for the mile-long Guoliang Tunnel Rd is ‘Road that tolerates no mistakes’.
Built by 13 local villagers in the Taihang Mountains (many of whom died during construction), the chiselled mountain tunnel measures only 15ft high by 12ft wide but rocks insane views of the Chinese landscape through 30 “windows” that were cut out of the cliff.
Not only is it one of the steepest roads in the world, but it’s become one of the area’s top tourist attractions to be visited… on foot.
Karnali Highway, Nepal
Just like Old Yungas Road, the 155-mile Karnali Highway in the Himalayan region of West Nepal is a death wish (approximately 50 people die there a year).
The dirt road’s surface is so bad that even cyclists who flock there for the stunning views are persuaded to turn back.
And as you can imagine, vehicles that attempt to drive the road don’t fare much better.
Commonwealth Avenue, Philippines
This road isn’t high in mountains, bridged low over water, or even riddled with sharp turns. In fact, it’s just a 7.5-mile stretch of urban highway, and a wide one at that with up to 18 lanes.
But to locals, it’s known as “Killer Highway” due to the high number of casualties and fatalities – thousands of deaths per year actually – that result from the heavy volume of traffic.
Br-116, Brazil
Rodovia de Morte is known as the ‘Highway of Death’ to Brazilians. What makes this road dangerous is the unstable weather and savage cliffs that cause major accidents, up to 200 per year. Still, that’s not even what makes it super dangerous.
No, what takes it to the next level is the fact that the road extends through some of the sketchiest, most poverty-stricken parts of the country. And gangs/bandits are stationed in several spots along the busy route. Detour please?
Federal Highway 1, Mexico
This road is straight up loco. Spanning 1,000 miles along the Baja Peninsula, and heavily used by freight trucks transporting goods to remote towns and villages, the road snakes through the mountains and along cliffs.
It’s a heart stopper on its own, but what’s even scarier: drivers don’t need to pass a driving test in six Mexican states, meaning you could possibly be sharing that road with texting-addicted amateurs.
Fatal accidents are all too frequent.
Kabul-Jalalabad Highway, Afghanistan
Located in “the Valley of Death,” this notorious road is highly trafficked by the Taliban and attacks are ten a penny, so don’t expect an easy, breezy drive.
Even still, the narrow mountain passes that always seem to be full of oversized freight trucks are just as frightening.|
James Dalton Highway, Alaska
If Ice Road Truckers has taught us anything, it’s that the roads in Alaska suck. And the most infamous of those roads is the James Dalton Hwy, a 414-mile passage between the Arctic Sea oil fields and civilisation.
Winter is unfortunately peak season for drivers, and high winds and icy conditions turn the road into a Slip’N Slide for truckers.
Stelvio Pass, Italy
High up in the Alps, the Stelvio Pass is probably one of the most scenic drives anywhere in the world.
Appreciating it though, could just cost you your life – the 180-degree corners are dangerous, the concrete barriers low, and winter brings icy roads and slick conditions.
One wrong moves and it’s over the cliffs you go.
Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand
This narrow and winding road actually requires a special permit to drive. And even if you do manage to get permission, get ready for a real challenge.
The road is often slippery thanks to spray from the Shotover river and good luck if you run into someone coming from the other direction!
Nurburgring Nordschleife, Germany
While this may look like a racetrack, it’s actually a public toll road. You hand over a few Euros and are greeted with nearly 13 miles of unrestricted (no speed limit) circuit dubbed ‘The Green Hell’. High powered supercars do battle with each other while trying to avoid crazy day-trippers and coaches (seriously) as they attempt to complete their fastest lap.
There are many deaths every year, most commonly motorbike riders, but car accidents are all too frequent.
Trans-Siberian Highway, Russia
This 6800 mile route, one of the longest roads in the world, is pure hell. It spans the width of Russia from the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic ocean, and only the bravest of the brave tackle it.
Parts of the route are pristine motorway, but during warm wet winters much of the roads in the East are unnavigable quagmires. And if your vehicle gets stuck, recovery is virtually impossible until the roads freeze and harden in the winter.
Cotopaxi Volcano Road, Ecuador
This 25mile dirt road is in the shadow of one of the most active volcanos in the world. It’s riddled with giant potholes, and prone to massive flash floods that will wash your car away.
It connects the Pan American Highway with the Cotopaxi Volcan National Park and claims the lives of unwary tourists every year,
Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China
This truly is a road to be feared with a record of over 7,500 deaths for every 100,000 road users! Rock slides, frequent avalanches, and shocking weather conditions claim the lives of so many. It’s a wonder it’s still open!
Surely the ultimate destination for drivers with a death wish!
Luxor-al-Hurghjada Road, Egypt
It’s not natural disasters that you have to fear if you drive along this road – it’s other people! The area is swarming with bandits intent on stealing your possessions, and they don’t care if you die in the process.
It’s so dangerous that many drivers resort to driving without headlights to attempt to ‘hide’ their vehicles – which causes its own set of issues.
The Way to Fairy Meadows, Pakistan
Don’t let the twee name fool you – This 7 mile road is extremely narrow and leads to the ‘Killer Mountains’ in Pakistan. While the views may be spectacular, you’ll have no time to enjoy them as you’ll be more worried about plunging to a hideous fireball-based death on the rocks below!
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