Road hazards and accidents can mar an otherwise eventful journey. While poor roads can cause plenty of damage, you can’t rule out the contribution of drunken folks and human error of judgment in causing accidents. Here’s a list of the world’s most dangerous roads.
1. Transfagarasan, Romania
The road is nestled bang in the middle of the Carpathian Mountainous region. It elevates to a dramatic height of 2034 meters, and is known to be the nation’s highest soaring road. Tansfagarasan is known for its dare-devil appeal and spectacular sight. It cuts through the Fagaras massif.
2. Tianmen Mountain Road, China
Tianmen Mountain Road, China is a 10 kilometer long stretch that features 99 (yes you read that right, 99 massive turns). The variation in the beginning of the stretch and its end is a staggering 1000 meters. So you ascending a 1000 meters as you drive along the road stretch. Certainly not for the faint-hearted!
3. Gotthard Pass, Switzerland
Gotthard Pass is one of the loftiest and challenging mountain pass in the Swiss Alps, which makes for such a thrilling drive. The 64 kilometer path snakes from one side to another, and rewards visitors with awe-inspiring scenic beauty. Oh yes, the stunning looking Switzerland also has some dangerous monsters up her sleeve! The pious looking European wonder has lots of thrilling surprises in store for someone who is willing to give its rugged side an honest chance. So yes, take that road trip through Central Europe to discover its wild side.
4. Eshima Ohashi Bridge, Japan
This isn’t strictly a road but a bridge. However, that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. Eshima Ohashi Bridge interlinks Matsue and Sakaiminato, which is 1.7 kilometer in length and about 12 meters in width. The structure almost always seems like it cannot be climbed when viewed from far. However, its elevated height has a distinct advantage- large ships can comfortably pass through it.
5. Zozila, India
Kashmir and Ladakh are linked with this 9 kilometer long stretch, with the path being intently steep and narrow. Brimming with vehicles and livestock, this remains one of India’s most significant passes. Located 3, 528 meters over sea level, the pass is juxtaposed between Kaskmir and Ladakh. Driving though this pass requires nothing short of ace driving skills and a dependable vehicle. With good reason, the pass is shut during winters.
6. Dalton Highway, Alaska
The 666 kilometer long Dalton Highway is the most secluded highway on planet earth. It links three villages, and is often believed to the world’s snowiest highway or the highway that witnesses the highest concentration of snow. If you thought it couldn’t get any more adventurous than the icy landscape of Alaska, Dalton Highway just adds to the thrill!
7. Yungas Road, Bolivia
One of the planet’s deadliest highways? You bet. You’d probably get freaked out just by looking at its picture. According to statistics, about 200-300 people lose their lives on this road annually (sad, we know). While there are vertigo inducing steep mountains on one side, the other side has a 600 meters elevated cliff. It’s frightening to even imagine driving through this path!
8. Guoliang Tunnel, China
Locals built Gualiang Tunnel, since earlier a road cutting from the mountain was the primary communication method linking the small village to other places in and around it. Authorities later considered building a 1200 meter long tunnel for helping locals commute between regions more conveniently. Though China is known for its narrow winding passageways, this one takes the cake for re-defining dare-devilry.
9. Le Passage du Gois France
The quirkiest thing about this road is that it is open for limited hours each day, and is submerged underwater of the rest of the day. Sounds weird? Well, ensure you carefully read tide schedules before your vehicle sinks in, and you become history or mystery! On a more serious note, don’t go until you have a full tidal schedule.
10. Hana, Hawaii
The 112 kilometer road stretch links Hana and Kahului on popular tourist island Maui. This narrow road stretch connects 59 bridges, out of which 46 feature a single lane. The pass is frequently shut owing to landslides in the region. While Hawaii is quintessentially gorgeous, it’s thrilling features like these that add to its glory!
11. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
Atlantic Ocean Road links several tiny sea-side villages. It is worth going on a road trip through this road owing to the breathtaking natural sites, fascinating village communities and innumerable, off the beaten path tourist attractions. Norway’s ice capped mountains combined with the rather picturesque Atlantic Ocean Road make for a splendid tourist attraction.
12. Col de la Bonette, France
This is a dangerous mountain pass that is nestled 2000 meters in the French Alps, adjacent to the Italian border. The road is characterized by narrow, steep and unpredictable twists and turns that aren’t meant for faint hearted drivers. French Alps pathways are believed to extremely scenic, and this one doesn’t disappoint on any count.
13. Kolyma, Russia
Kolyma is the road that links Magadan and Yakutsk. However, it is popularly known as the “death road” for its fatal demeanor. Did you know that the initial 90 kilometers of this stretch were made by mid-14th century prisoners? However, construction concluded only in the 20th century. The road is considered one of the deadliest in the world for its height and steepness.
14. Khardung La, India
The road, according to government authorities is 5062 meters in height, which makes it taller than Mount Elbrus. Khardung is the loftiest pass on planet earth according to reputed resources such as National Geographic. It also holds the Guinness Book of World Record for being the world’s tallest pass. Make it a part of your personal history too by being here!
15. Caucasus Road, Russia
This narrow, winding road links Ritsa lake and Sochi and passes through the region’s imposing mountains. It is both thrilling and frightening, and is worth spotting a minimum of once every week. Again, another Russian road that is known for its thrilling inducing steeps and curves smack in the middle of an imposing mountainous region. Combine this with stellar driving skills and a sturdy vehicle and there’ll be no looking back really!
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