10 Most Dangerous Roads on Earth
- Which highway in Alaska forces truckers to carry survival gear for -80°F temperatures?
- Why do 300 people die annually on a single road in Bolivia?
- Can you drive through a tunnel carved by hand into a sheer cliff face in China?
Driving is usually a mundane daily task, but on the most dangerous roads in the world, a single mistake does not result in a fender bender—it results in death. From narrow cliffside tracks in the Andes to frozen highways in the Arctic Circle, these routes test the limits of human courage and mechanical engineering.
Adrenaline junkies flock to these locations, but for locals, navigating these dangerous roads is often the only way to get home. Buckle up as we explore the 10 deadliest stretches of pavement (and gravel) on the planet.
1. North Yungas Road, Bolivia (The Death Road)
Connecting La Paz to Coroico, the North Yungas Road is legendary. Carved into the side of the Cordillera Oriental mountains, it descends 3,600 meters in just 64 kilometers. With no guardrails and sheer drops of up to 600 meters, it claimed an estimated 200 to 300 lives annually before a safer alternative was built. The US Department of State has historically issued warnings about travel in this region due to the treacherous terrain.
Shock Fact: Crosses mark the spots where vehicles have gone over the edge, earning it the title “El Camino de la Muerte.”
2. Dalton Highway, USA (Alaska)
Made famous by the TV show Ice Road Truckers, the James W. Dalton Highway stretches 414 miles through northern Alaska to the Arctic Ocean. It was built to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The danger here is isolation and weather. Temperatures drop to -62°C (-80°F), and there are only three towns along the entire route. The Bureau of Land Management advises that anyone traveling this road must bring survival gear and two spare tires.
3. Guoliang Tunnel Road, China
In the Taihang Mountains, the village of Guoliang was isolated from the world. In 1972, 13 villagers sold goats and herbs to buy hammers and explosives. They spent five years carving a 1.2-kilometer tunnel inside the mountain wall. The “windows” cut into the rock offer terrifying views of the canyon below. It is one of the most visually stunning dangerous roads in Asia.
4. Zoji La Pass, India
Located at an altitude of 3,528 meters, this unpaved pass connects Ladakh and Kashmir. It is a lifeline for the people of Ladakh but is prone to heavy snowfall and violent winds. During winter, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) often closes the pass as snow accumulation can reach depths of over 15 meters, burying the road entirely.
5. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan
Known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” this is the highest paved international road, connecting Pakistan and China at an elevation of 4,693 meters. While the engineering is a marvel, the geology is unstable. Landslides, falling rocks, and floods are constant threats along this high-altitude route.
6. Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand
Built during the gold rush of the 1800s, Skippers Canyon Road near Queenstown is so narrow that if two cars meet, one might have to reverse for kilometers along a cliff edge. It is one of the few roads where standard rental car insurance is explicitly voided. The Department of Conservation manages the area, which is now a historic site.
7. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
This 8.3-kilometer road runs across an archipelago in the Norwegian Sea. While modern, it is exposed to the fury of the ocean. During storms, massive waves crash over the pavement, hitting cars with the force of a collision. The Storseisundet Bridge is famous for its curve, which looks like a “ramp to nowhere” from certain angles.
8. Fairy Meadows Road, Pakistan
Serving as the gateway to Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world, this is arguably the scariest driving experience on Earth. It is a 16-kilometer gravel track with no barriers, carved into the side of a mountain. It is only wide enough for one jeep, and a single wrong move means a deadly fall.
9. Kolyma Highway, Russia (Road of Bones)
Traversing the Russian Far East, this road was built by Gulag prisoners under Stalin. It is nicknamed the “Road of Bones” because the bodies of workers who died were allegedly buried in the road’s foundation. In summer, the permafrost melts, turning the road into an impassable mud swamp. In winter, the ice makes it drivable but deadly cold.
10. Stelvio Pass, Italy
The highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, Stelvio features 48 hairpin turns on its northern face alone. While well-maintained, the sheer number of switchbacks and the altitude make it a challenging drive, often resulting in accidents for overconfident tourists.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the #1 most dangerous road in the world?
Statistically, the North Yungas Road in Bolivia held the title for years, but improvements have been made. Today, roads like Fairy Meadows in Pakistan are considered even more perilous due to the lack of safety infrastructure.
Why is the Dalton Highway so dangerous?
The primary danger on the Dalton Highway is the extreme cold, isolation, and the large trucks kicking up rocks. Breaking down here without survival gear can be fatal in winter.
Are tourists allowed on these roads?
Yes, most of these roads are public highways. However, rental car companies frequently prohibit driving on roads like Skippers Canyon (New Zealand) or the Dalton Highway due to the high risk of vehicle damage.
