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The Five Most Dangerous Roads in the World
Out of the few near-death experiences I can recall in my lifetime, just about all of them involved cars -- driving them, being driven in them, being hit by one of them; even when the roads are perfectly asphalted and traffic is flowing smoothly it can still be dangerous. Just think of the times you find yourself in an overcrowded bus on Bolivia's "Road of the Death," which landed in the number one spot on this list of the world's most dangerous roads. "It runs in the Bolivian Andes, 70 km from La Paz to Coroico, and plunges down almost 3,600 meters in an orgy of extremely narrow hairpin curves and 800-meter abyss near-misses. A fatal accident happens there every couple of weeks, 100-200 people perish there every year."
Other deadly roads include the Russian Siberian Road to Yakutsk, Russian-Georgian "Military" Mountain Roads and Mount Huashan Hiking Trail in China. Be sure and check out the list, complete with lots of goose bump-inducing photos at the Dark Roasted Blend blog.
Filed under: China, Russian Federation, Bolivia
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sharon Jan 8th 2010 8:30AM
I literally just completed driving the road to Hana today (Jan 8, 2010). What the heck are you whiny guys bluthering about? Yes, there are twists and turns and 50+ one lane bridges, but geesh, put on your big-boy pants and stop the snivling! It was a very pleasant, long and winding mountain road. Lots of stops for waterfalls, pools, beaches, etc. It was way, way worse in the '80s when it was not paved and it was all one lane. Now it is such a touristy thing, there are a ton of people who drive it every day. Even little pansy butt girls like me. It is not that bad. :)
ketty Nov 13th 2010 3:21AM
I have been to the Bolivian Road with a public bus about a year ago. It was very foggy in between. The bus had to reverse many times (one time it was hair raising when one of the wheels was hanging over the cliff) and the people in the bus were screaming. It was an scary experience.
http://www.thetop10guide.net/top-10-most-dangerous-roads-in-the-world.html
Willy Feb 15th 2007 2:22PM
Amazing pictures! My favorite one is of the Russian guy who got stuck in the mud, so he decided the best solution was to remove his trousers.
http://static.flickr.com/121/295090600_7d78481e51_o.jpg
WTF?
Adam Feb 16th 2007 12:47PM
Are you sure that's a guy?
Bruce Feb 18th 2007 10:36AM
They didnt mention 264 in Louisville, Ky during rush hour
josh Feb 18th 2007 12:01PM
quite disappointed they didnt include the Road to hanna in maui. its a 40 mile strech of road wiht a thousand foot drop off on one side and a sheer clif on the other... not to mention all the waterfalls that wash over the road you literally drive through waterfalls at tiems. theres all these rickity bridges and the corners are so sharp that your tires screech aroudn some corners and the one lane road makes it very difficult if 2 vehicles in opposign directiosn meet. one vehicle has to drive in reverse untill they reach a widened look out point just to let the otehr through. the top speed for that road i might add is only around 10 mph. there are horible blind spots where u cant tell if oncoming traffic is coming or not and there are over 50 bridges i believe that all look like they could crumble at any given second. and if thats not enough the locals dont like tourists on the road soo while i was tehre i was literally chased down the road by locals in a truck throwing beer bottles at my rental and screaming for ust to stop so they could talk to us. the view is breath taking and somethign nobody could ever probably experiance anywhere else however in my mind it qualifies as the worlds most dangerous road.
josh Feb 18th 2007 7:15PM
quite disappointed they didnt include the Road to hanna in maui. its a 40 mile strech of road wiht a thousand foot drop off on one side and a sheer clif on the other... not to mention all the waterfalls that wash over the road you literally drive through waterfalls at tiems. theres all these rickity bridges and the corners are so sharp that your tires screech aroudn some corners and the one lane road makes it very difficult if 2 vehicles in opposign directiosn meet. one vehicle has to drive in reverse untill they reach a widened look out point just to let the otehr through. the top speed for that road i might add is only around 10 mph. there are horible blind spots where u cant tell if oncoming traffic is coming or not and there are over 50 bridges i believe that all look like they could crumble at any given second. and if thats not enough the locals dont like tourists on the road soo while i was tehre i was literally chased down the road by locals in a truck throwing beer bottles at my rental and screaming for ust to stop so they could talk to us. the view is breath taking and somethign nobody could ever probably experiance anywhere else however in my mind it qualifies as the worlds most dangerous road.
Rich Feb 18th 2007 7:15PM
I've been on the road to Hana. Beautiful road, but can be scary at times. I'd love to go back there.
HOPPERSX Feb 18th 2007 7:16PM
ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS HIGHWAYS (OR GOAT TRACK) IF THE SYDNEY TO BRISBANE PACIFIC HIGHWAY WHERE PEOPLE LOSE THERE LIVES NEARLY EVERY DAY...ALTHOUGH THE HIGHWAY HAD BEEN UPGRADED IN MANY BLACK SPOTS THERE ARE TOO MANY BENDS AND DIVIDES. NOT ENOUGH DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS. I MUST SAY RECENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN UPGRADING DONE AROUND BYRON BAY TO YELGUN SO WE GOTTA BE THANKFUL FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT. TAKE CARE!
Jill Feb 18th 2007 7:16PM
Try driving around the country roads of the UK and on the wrong side of the road!
David Feb 18th 2007 7:17PM
When I was a kid, on vacation in Hawai (I can't spell it), my mother, father, and I drove to Hana. There were times the vision darkened around the edge of it (my vision). I was so fearful for my life, and I literally was ready to cry. Somehow, that's not on the list?
Eric Aug 20th 2012 1:28PM
I just went on it 2 days ago. It's not like that anymore, there's only one lane road on the bridges but when you were a kid it was probably gravel and one lane and know railings right?
FAS1 Feb 18th 2007 7:17PM
THE PICTURES WERE GREAT!! IT REMINDED ME OF THE ROADS IN LOUISIANA!! GOD, WHATEVER DO THEY DO WITH
THEIR HIGHWAY MONEY IN THAT STATE???!!!
John Feb 18th 2007 7:18PM
You all talk of roads and hazards. Unfortunately these are not a priority in most countries, rather most people were thankful that they got on a map, which used to be reserved for post offices in this country way back when.
I once lived on the Salmon River in Idaho for a couple of years, the saying then was, "keep it between the wall and the river" as there was an untold number of deaths attributed to people not paying enough attention to the dirt washboard road that goes to the end. This road is even worse during the winter months when you add to it the hazards of ice slick and five to ten foot snow drifts.
I now reside in Las Vegas where I am truly afraid every time I venture out because of the people they decide are capable of licensing. My question is which do you all consider more dangerous?
J
mike r Feb 18th 2007 7:26PM
Grow up and drive for God's sake!!
mike r Feb 18th 2007 7:33PM
Hey Josh!! Stay off the roads of the world and pull the covers over your head!!!
Jarvis H. Renfrow, Sr. Feb 19th 2007 5:32PM
I have driven the road to Hanna to see Lindburg's grave. Having a CDL license gives me some insight on what is a dangerous road and what is not. We drove it on our honeymoon in a convertible and believe you me it is the most dangerous road that I have ever driven on, we made a movie of it and the movie eaven scared me and I am an intrument rated, commercial pilot. If you run off that road, you better have wings or be a mountain goat.
Dave Rotthoff Feb 19th 2007 5:32PM
The Million Dollar Highway from Silverton to Ouray in Colorado is no gem either. And U.S. 160 over Wolf Creek Pass, also in Colorado, in the winter will also turn athiests in to praying people.
Finally the road from near the University of Alaska in College up to the top of Third Murphy Mountain is mighty scary in the winter, too.
Matt Feb 19th 2007 5:31PM
I must agree with the comments regarding the "road to Hana". If you ever get a chance to drive this road, PASS.It's 54 miles and plan on 3 hours to drive it. It's very narrow, very tight blind curves, and if you survive and reach Hana, there's nothing to see there. They do have a gas station at over $4 per gallon. We found a back road to Kehei to get out of there. The rental cars agencies discourage people from taking this road. It's looks as though you have landed on the moon. If you break down out there, get ready for a long walk. Cell phone service is sporatic and the tow trucks won't come and get you.
Effexor Birth Defect Dec 8th 2011 11:39AM
omG.
I've actually driven the Road to Hana, not the eastern suicidal part, just the west side. I drove about 20 feet down the suicide side and thought... oh HELL NO. It's banned by the rental car companies. :)