The 7 World's Most Dangerous Roads: A Perilous Journey
Ever wonder what it is like to drive on roads where one mistake could be very bad? Some roads around the world are dangerous for even the best drivers, with things like steep mountain cliffs and bad weather. Let us take a look at what makes these roads so dangerous: steep drops, weather that can change at any time, and narrow, winding roads that do not leave much room for error.
Ever wonder what it is like to drive on roads where one mistake could be very bad? Some roads around the world are dangerous for even the best drivers, with things like steep mountain cliffs and bad weather. Let us take a look at what makes these roads so dangerous: steep drops, weather that can change at any time, and narrow, winding roads that do not leave much room for error.
1. North Yungas Road, Bolivia
The North Yungas Road, which people often call "Death Road," is one of the world's most dangerous roads. The road goes from La Paz, Bolivia's main city, to the town of Coroico, which is about 43 miles (69 kilometres) away. There are steep hills on one side of this very narrow road, and there are no guardrails to keep cars from falling.
When it rains, fog, mud, and rain make the road very slippery, making it even more dangerous. The road is just barely big enough for two cars to pass, so drivers have to be careful around sharp turns and oncoming traffic. Many accidents have happened over the years because there aren't any safety measures and the drops are as high as 2,000 feet (610 meters). This is how it got its scary name.
2. Guoliang Tunnel Road, China
Another dangerous road in China is the Guoliang Tunnel Road. The people of Guoliang carved this tunnel by hand through the side of a mountain so that the town could connect to the rest of the world. The road is very narrow—only 13 feet (4 meters) wide and 16 feet (5 meters) high. Drivers have to be very careful as they go through the tunnel to avoid sharp turns and cars going the other way.
This road is dangerous because it is cut into the side of a mountain, leaving little room for mistakes. There are no curbs between the road and the edge of the cliff, so one wrong move could be fatal. It has beautiful views, but you need to be very careful.
3. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan-China
At over 15,000 feet (4,570 meters) above sea level, the Karakoram Highway is one of the world's highest paved roads. Over 800 miles (1,300 kilometres) long, this road links Pakistan and China. Because the road is so high up, it has to deal with bad weather like rocks, avalanches, and floods.
People who drive on this road often have to deal with narrow lanes, rocks that fall, and sharp turns. Mountains are on either side of the road, which makes it even more dangerous in the winter when snow and ice cover it. The Karakoram Highway is still used all year because it is an important trade route, even with these problems.
4. James Dalton Highway, Alaska, USA
Alaska's James Dalton Highway is one of the most dangerous and out-of-the-way roads in the US. The highway from Livengood to Deadhorse is 414 miles (666 kilometres) long and is mostly used by truckers. It goes through rough, remote land, and there are long stretches of road without gas stops, restaurants, or hotels.
The weather is one of the most dangerous things on this road. In the winter, temperatures can drop very low, and snowstorms can come on quickly, making it hard to see. The road is mostly dirt, which makes it hard to drive, especially for people who aren't used to the terrain. It's more dangerous to drive on this road because there aren't any hospitals close.
5. Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand
The road Skippers Canyon is in the mountains close to Queenstown, New Zealand. The road is narrow and twisting. It was built during the gold rush in the late 1800s. The road is cut into the side of a mountain, and one side has high drops. There aren't many guardrails to keep people from falling.
Not everyone is allowed to drive on Skippers Canyon Road, and rental car insurance usually doesn't cover it because it's so dangerous. If two cars crash into each other, one might have to go backwards for several hundred meters to find a bigger spot to pass. This road is even more dangerous when it rains because of landslides and loose dirt.
6. Zoji La Pass, India
Zoji La Pass is a mountain pass at a high elevation in India's Himalayas. It is thought to be one of the most dangerous mountain roads in the world. It links the Kashmir Valley to Ladakh. During the winter, the road is often stopped because of avalanches and heavy snow.
The Zoji La Pass is very small and not paved. On one side, there are steep drops. Drivers have to deal with bad weather, such as snow, heavy rain, and strong winds, which make the road slippery and hard to avoid. The road is often used by big trucks, which makes it harder to pass other cars on the narrow path.
7. Tianmen Mountain Road, China
The Tianmen Mountain Road, also called the "Road to Heaven," is in Hunan Province in China. People love this road because it has 99 sharp turns and very steep hills. It goes up and down more than 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) and is about 6.8 miles (11 kilometres) long. However, the road is very hard to drive on because it has tight turns and a small width.
The road is paved, but it's dangerous because it goes up and down steeply and has sharp turns. This is especially true for people who have never driven in these conditions before. Even though it's dangerous, Tianmen Mountain Road is popular with tourists who want to see beautiful views and drive on one of the world's most twisting roads.
Drive on the World's Most Perilous Roads
Because of where they are, how they are built, and the weather, these roads are some of the most dangerous in the world. To keep crashes from happening, drivers who use these roads need to be very skilled and careful. The Karakoram Highway is at a high altitude, Skippers Canyon Road has small paths, and the James Dalton Highway is in very bad weather. Each of these roads has its own problems. They may have beautiful views and exciting activities, but they also make us think about how dangerous it is to drive on the world's most dangerous roads.
To stay safe on these roads, you need to be aware of their danger factors and drive carefully. People who are brave enough to travel on these roads must also be very careful and respect the environment.