Photo Credit: Mike Prince / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0 (Saturation & Clarity Increased)
There’s an old saying that goes, “Take the road less traveled and you’ll soon reach greatness.” However, can you imagine driving down this road, surrounded by exotic and beautiful landscapes, when, suddenly, the railing disappears, the asphalt narrows to a trail and thousands of feet below you are the skeletal remains of lost cars? Well, sometimes the less traveled road is less traveled for a reason.
Some roads are consistent, relaxing and invite you to enjoy the ride, while others are so terrifying that you’ll wish you never drove on them. From high altitude roads disappearing into the mountains to horrifying twists that are pretty much impossible to safely navigate, here are 10 roads you should definitely stay away from.
If you thought there’s nothing dangerous about Norway, think again.
The Atlantic Ocean Road is a marvel of engineering that shows how humans are able to defy all common sense. It features eight bridges that connect several islands. The most famous, the Storseisundet Bridge, has a maximum clearance to the sea of 75 feet – it was built that way to prevent the strong ocean currents from reaching passing cars… Yikes!
Dug into the side of a cliff, this roadway is a masterpiece of engineering, and driving on it is a breathtaking experience – if you’re not holding your breath and praying to reach safety while navigating it, that is.
Located in China‘s Henan Province, the one-of-a-kind Guoliang Tunnel is everything but your average, everyday motorway. It was opened to the public in 1977, and it’s since become a major attraction.
If you happen to ever drive across its 0.78-mile expanse, please promise us that you’ll keep both hands on the steering wheel and your attention on the road in front of you.
Winding deep into a gorge above the Dadès, in the Atlas Mountains, this road is probably the most “fun” on our list (depending on your definition of the word).
While it looks simple and straightforward, its zig-zag line can be tricky to drive on. If you lose your concentration for even a split second or misjudge the capability of your car at speed, you’ll quickly be off into the river below.
Driving on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (officially known as China National Highway 318) may look like a smooth experience, but the curves and overlook of a sheer cliff drop won’t allow you to stay calm and relaxed. If the 3,403 miles of primarily curves don’t scare you, then the bridge crossing over a vast river with winds that hit 25 MPH definitely will.
This entry isn’t about any road in particular – it’s covering all of the ones that have been erected in just one region of the world.
With a dangerous network of slippery, narrow and unpaved passages, the Himalayas is home to some of the world’s most scary roads. When driving along them, you’ll see casualties in real time, with buses and cars spread across the bottom of cliffs.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
No wonder people in Bolivia call this road the “Road of Death.” Once the fog hits this mountainside roadway, you’ve no idea where you’re going, and it’s a gamble when buses and trucks try to pass you while going in the opposite direction.
The Yungas Road stretches 40 miles without rails. As a result, many cars have fallen more than 2,000 feet into the valley below. The worst thing? It looks like the rate of accidents isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Don’t be fooled by the name, Fairy Meadows Road, in Pakistan, is as dangerous as it gets.
It was built by locals with very little support from the government, which is why it doesn’t have an asphalt surface or guard rails. The road is 6.2 miles long, and it leads to Nanga Parbat, one of the highest peaks in the world. If you manage to make it past the tight lanes and falling rocks, you’ll be greeted with a fantastic view.
If you’re a novice at driving, you shouldn’t attempt this journey without extra gas and adequate supplies.
Alaska‘s James W. Dalton Highway is a different kind of dangerous from the other roads mentioned on our list. It’s remote and features an endless expanse of icy potholes and flying rocks from passing trucks. If you want to test your driving skills, this one’s for you.
Located in northern Italy, the Strada delle 52 Gallerie (also known as the “Road of 52 Tunnels”) is a serious challenge for many drivers. It was created as a military mule road during the First World War, and one section is so dangerous that no vehicles are allowed past.
Since it was shut down, the road has attracted many individuals who come with their bikes to tackle the mountain’s edge.
In Taiwanese, Taroko means “splendid and magnificent,” and this road is definitely that. However, this scenic expanse in Taroko Gorge also has a dark side.
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