The World’s 14 Most Dangerous Roads That Take Your Breath Away
Anyone who has ridden a roller coaster at least once knows the
expression "to have your heart in your mouth." However, it’s unlikely
this entertainment can be compared with highways built at an altitude
of several kilometers over an abyss, in a lonely desert, above the
water, or even below it.
All in One invites you to travel through the most unimaginable roads in the world which overshadow even the coolest rides.
All in One invites you to travel through the most unimaginable roads in the world which overshadow even the coolest rides.
Guoliang Tunnel, China
The Guoliang Tunnel
is 1.2 km (0.75 mi) long and was built through a mountain range leading
to the village of the same name. In the 1970s, the inhabitants of the
village made this tunnel and the "windows" in it themselves using only
hand tools. The width of the tunnel is about 4 m (13 ft), so drivers
have to be extremely careful.
Maeklong Railway Market, Thailand
At first sight, Maeklong Market
resembles hundreds of other Thai markets...but only until you hear the
whistle of the train which passes right through the market stalls. The
sellers take their goods away and fold their tents in seconds, giving
way to the train that moves at a speed of about 15 km/h.
Yungas Road, Bolivia
Yungas Road
connects the Bolivian cities of La Paz and Coroico. Descending from
a height of 3,300 to 360 m (2 mi to 1,181 ft) above sea level, it forms
a number of loops. Despite the fact that the road is very narrow, even
trucks manage to pass each other. However, one of them often has to back
up for quite a distance.
Eyre Highway, Australia
Looking at this highway,
one can hardly imagine it’s really dangerous. However, the number
of accidents on this 1,600-km (994 mi) stretch of Australian highway,
built far from localities, is really high. The reason is quite simple:
the landscapes here are so monotonous that drivers simply fall asleep
at the wheel.
The "Nose of the Devil" Railway, Ecuador
The "Nose of the Devil"
railway is built on the rock of the same name at an altitude of 800 m
(2,624 ft). Until recently, tourists were allowed to ride on the roofs
of wagons running here, but today it’s prohibited.
Pamban Railway Bridge, India
Pamban Bridge
connects the mainland part of India with the island of the same name.
In 1964, the bridge was destroyed by the strong winds of the Palk
Strait. This is why now, when wind speed exceeds 55 km/h, trains receive
a special signal warning of the possible danger.
Karakoram Highway, Pakistan — China
At 1,300 km (807.7 mi) long, Karakoram Highway
is considered the world’s most high-altitude international highway. One
of its sections passes at an altitude of more than 4,600 m (15,091 ft).
Summer monsoon rains often wash it out and cause landslides. In winter,
the highway is closed due to weather conditions and possible
avalanches.
Passage du Gois, France
This seemingly common passage
connects the island of Noirmoutier with mainland France. However,
during the tides, it’s fully covered with a 4-m (13 ft) layer of water
and is available to drivers only twice a day.
Leh-Manali Highway, India
Leh-Manali Highway
runs through several high mountain passes, located at an altitude
of 4 to 5 km (13,123 to 16,404 ft). The road is extremely narrow, but
this doesn’t prevent local drivers from zooming through at high speeds.
Tianmen Mountain Road, China
A road that’s 11 km (6.8 mi) long
with 99 bends leads to the top of Tianmen Mountain where the Buddhist
temple is situated. In some sections, the distance between two curves
is less than 200 m (656 ft), so drivers have to be extremely careful.
Road through Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The highway running through the dried Salar de Uyuni
is located at an altitude of 3,650 m (11,811 ft) above sea level. Local
landscapes are so unusual that it’s easy to get lost in them, and cell
phones here are mostly useless. Even though it’s safe to go here with
a tour group, it’s better to avoid going on your own, especially since
at night the temperature falls to −30°C (-22°F).
Road through Skippers Canyon, New Zealand
Numerous holes and cliffs, steep
descents, sudden bends, suspension bridges, and narrowings of the road
are far from all the surprises lurking on the crossing through Skippers Canyon. Local car rental agencies don’t even provide insurance for those who are going to conquer this route.
The James W. Dalton Highway, Alaska, USA
Only 175 km (108.7 mi) of this 666-km (413.8 mi) highway
are covered with bitumen, and one has to drive the rest of the way
on gravel. There are only 3 settlements, 3 refueling stations, and only
1 medical center throughout the highway. The local police force checks
the presence of everything necessary for survival in the difficult
Alaskan conditions for everyone who enters this route.
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