Risky Routes: These Are the 12 Most Dangerous Roads in the World
We are fortunate in the West that we get to drive on roads with good road markings, traffic circles, lights, and road signs. However, not all countries have features designed to keep people safe. Here are some of the most dangerous roads you would be best avoiding around the world.
1. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan to China
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The Karakoram Highway connects the Gilgit-Baltistan region to the ancient Silk Road. It’s also considered one of the eight wonders of the world. The “Silk Route” was difficult to build due to its high elevation and weather conditions.
2. The Atlantic Road, Norway
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On Norway’s Atlantic Road, you will encounter Storseisundet Bridge, famously nicknamed ‘The Bridge to Nowhere,’ due to its steep, curved appearance that seems to disappear. This road skirts the seething North Atlantic Ocean, which graces the road with occasional tidal waves or gale-force winds, making it one of the most dangerous roads to drive.
3. North Yungas Road, Bolivia
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Nicknamed by locals “Camino de la Muerte,” this 70-mile stretch of the muddy, unguarded, unpaved mountain pass can be fatal. The road linking La Paz to Coroice in Bolivia has claimed many lives with “over 200 hairpin turns” and a 1000-meter drop into the valley below.
The Road of Death in Bolivia is another mountain pass to avoid.
4. Sichuan, Tibet Highway
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The cities in China are usually safe to navigate, though once you hit the countryside, it can be a lottery with road conditions. One such road is the incredible Sichuan-Tibet Highway in southwestern China, climbing from 500 to 4,000 meters. The risk of landslides and the quality of some stretches makes this road treacherous.
5. Bayburt D915, Turkey
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Claiming many lives in recent history, this 66-mile-long mountain road is dangerously narrow in places, with vertical, rocky walls on one side and a misty drop on the other. The most significant risk here is landslides and weather that can turn even during summer.
6. Zojila Pass, India
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Driving through a volatile geopolitical region might be enough danger for some drivers, though getting there may be even worse. Linking India’s Ladakh region and neighboring Kashmir, this sheer, barrier-free mountain pass has claimed dozens of lives. The gorge below is scattered with buses, dead cattle, and cars.
The Himalayan altitude also means extreme weather events are never far away.
7. In Thailand, Most City Roads
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Thailand is famous for being a country tough on crime, though the roads can be lawless. The favored method of transport is the motorbike, which means competing with millions of other bike riders. “Motorcyclists tend to go in any direction they desire (at) any time of the day or night,” shares one visitor, “(and) at whatever speed is deemed necessary.”
8. Stelvio Pass, Italy
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Italy lays claim to one of the highest mountain roads in Europe, boasting 48 hair-raising switchback turns that drop down the side of the Stelvio Pass. The hazards on this spectacular asphalt ribbon are one’s driving ability and the beautiful landscape distracting drivers from the steering wheel.
9. The Road of Bones, Russia
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The Kolyma Highway in Russia became famous when Ewen McGregor and Charlie Boorman attempted it in their TV series, The Long Way Round. The chilling name hides a terrible past: forced laborers who lost their lives were buried under the tarmac. Furthermore, parts of the road are crumbling or missing, so anyone brave enough to try this one needs to have medical insurance.
10. Skippers Canyon, New Zealand
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Automotive thrillseekers could do worse than trying Skippers Canyon Road in the New Zealand Alps. Hand-carved by Kiwi miners over 140 years ago, this road was never meant to support cars. So dangerous is this mountain pass that even car insurance is void when driving on it!
11. Fairy Meadows Road, Pakistan
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Another Himalayan adventure route, this route has all the trappings of a high-risk highway: high altitude, steep drops, and no guardrails. However, the brittle quality of Fairy Meadows Road’s gravel foundation means slipping off the edge is a risk — especially if the famous mountain range’s weather turns on you.
12. Taroko Gorge Road, Taiwan
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Located in Hualien County, Taiwan, this infamous road is known for its extremely sharp, narrow turns and blind spots. Buses, scooters, cars, and pedestrians must all work together to navigate the Taroko Gorge Road.
“Once Is Enough!” 12 Travel Destinations Travelers Don’t Want To Return To
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The “Most Popular Tropical Travel Locations” lists are so played out. Let’s flip the script. How about travel destinations frequently serving as a visitor’s final destination? These are the one-hitter quitters of tourist spots, leaving a sour enough taste in enough travelers’ mouths to discourage any return trips.
“Once Is Enough!” 12 Travel Destinations Travelers Don’t Want To Return To
Survival Mode On: Brave the Wilderness in the World’s 12 Most Dangerous Forests and Jungles
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The world is home to near-countless natural wonders, but not all are safe to explore. Some of the Earth’s most beautiful and biodiverse places are treacherous and unforgiving. Jungles host unpredictably hostile terrains, unfriendly climates, and a plethora of deadly creatures. These dangerous jungles ask that even the most intrepid adventurers tread cautiously when visiting.
Survival Mode On: Brave the Wilderness in the World’s 12 Most Dangerous Forests and Jungles
15 Dangerous US Cities You May Reconsider Visiting or Moving To
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You’re excited about planning a trip or considering moving to a new city. Still, you need to learn more about your destination. So it’s beneficial to keep up-to-date about how safe your chosen location is. We all know cities have their vibe and cool stuff, but there’s also the not-so-fun side of potential risks. Violence and property crimes make up the issues currently facing the following cities.
15 Dangerous US Cities You May Reconsider Visiting or Moving To
15 Countries That Serve up the BEST Street Food Experiences
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There’s something about the vibrance of street food, the richness in flavor, and the rawness of surrounding cultural scenes. Not only is street food more affordable for travelers, but it grants a more authentic experience since this is where natives also gather and convene.
With that said, here are 15 countries serving up the best street food experiences, as voted on by an online foodie forum.
15 Countries That Serve up the BEST Street Food Experiences
15 of the Weirdest Things People Have Ever Eaten While Traveling
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There are many weird and wonderful things to experience while traveling, especially regarding food.
It’s always good to try something new, and below are 15 foods that travelers have tried and tested.
15 of the Weirdest Things People Have Ever Eaten While Traveling
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Canning Highway in western Australia is nicknamed the ‘Highway to Hell’.
These roads are scary…watch yourself driving.