The path less taken is the one worth taking… unless it is on the list of the most dangerous roads. While some of them are horrible to drive on, with little to no maintenance given to them, they are still in use. The majority of these types of roads are open because they are important. The world's most dangerous roads are labeled as unsafe due to the external factors that impact them. Two factors are the most common ones — surrounding nature and, of course, politics.
If you ever go on a beautiful road trip — make sure to account for the political atmosphere in the area. When it comes to the most dangerous roads in the world, politics play an important role. If war is waged in the area, local militias and armies might use a road and prohibit people from using it safely. The Kabul to Kandahar highway, for example, is known for violent attacks from terrorist groups. On the other hand, nature can also play a hand in dangerous roads. After all, nature is something we can hardly tame. Roads located on mountains are known for being on the risky side of traveling because a wrong turn can throw a car into a downfall of several hundred meters.
If you are interested in reading up on some mountain roads and unsafe passages, we can help you. In the list below, we have compiled a selection of roads that, one way or another, you should try to ignore. Since some of these are more interesting than others, upvote the dangerous passage that piqued your interest. Did you travel on some of them yourself? Share your experience in the comments below. Either way, share these roads with your travel-enthusiastic friends to scare them.
#1 Stelvio Pass, Italy
The Alps are like the Himalayas, as it also forces people to go around it and not through it. Nestled in the Eastern Alps region in Italy, Stelvio Pass is located 2,757 meters (9,045 feet) above sea level. Despite its dangerous turns and hairpins, Stelvio Pass is still popular among many drivers.
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#2 Butcher Of The Extreme, France
Butcher and extreme are two words that perfectly describe this dangerous road located in France. In this land of love and pleasure, this road, used by logging trucks, is not the widest one. With only a portion of it paved, drivers are forced to utilize the small space given and hope not to slip into the canyon below.
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18points
#3 Kolyma Highway, "The Road Of Bones", Russia
The Russian East is a cold and harsh place, and for any infrastructure to appear there — sacrifices have to be made. Take the Kolyma highway as an example, its nickname, the Road of Bones, comes from the fact that thousands perished while constructing it. Together with the Lena highway, these two provide dangerous weather and unpaved roads in some parts.
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16points
#4 Col Du Chaussy, France
Taking the cake for one of the most scenic yet dangerous roads in France is Col Du Chaussy. This completely paved road will confuse you with 17 hairpins that raise the driver 400 meters up in just a few miles. If you are one of the slower drivers, the route provides some really interesting scenic views for you to enjoy.
16points
#5 North Yungas Road, "The Road Of Death", Bolivia
As the nickname shows, North Yungas Road in Bolivia is dangerous, even for the more experienced traveler. This cycling trek has seen multiple people passing away or becoming victims of other accidents. Around 25,000 tourists visit this road yearly and experience the steep slopes, lack of guardrails, and other dangers.
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#6 El Caracol, Chile And Argentina
A very steep road, going left and right, up and down, is not something a weak-stomached person dreams about. El Caracol, named after a snail, is usually littered with trucks and cars that want to get to the other end. Because of the cliffside and slow traffic, El Caracol is quite a dangerous road, mentally and physically.
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14points
#7 Pokhara To Jomsom To Muktinath Road, Nepal
One mountain brings problems — but what about three of the largest ones in the world? This road in Nepal unites cities, towns, and temples and is known for the multiple dangers that people come across. Apart from the potholes and blind corners, people encountered rock slides and earthquakes.
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13points
#8 Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
Moving away from mountains and hills to bridges and the Atlantic Ocean, this road in Norway is as scenic as it is scary. Spanning 8.3 kilometers (5.2 miles), the Atlantic Ocean Road was first proposed as a railway line, but authorities agreed to create it with cars in mind. When driving on it, you get to experience guardrails and views of the Atlantic Ocean.
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#9 Sani Pass, South Africa
The Sani Pass moves along the Drakensberg Mountains, which reach a spectacular 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) in elevation. Abandoned cars and other vehicles dot the road as landmarks. Allowing only 4x4 cars, people before had to drive on unpaved roads, but luckily, some work was done to improve the situation.
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#10 Karakoram Highway, Pakistan To China
Seen as the eighth wonder of the world, Karakoram Highway unites Pakistan and China while additionally providing some beautiful views. However, its location near a mountain, rock slides, floods, and so on makes this road one of the most dangerous ones. Yet these dangers didn’t deter it from becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations.
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#11 Killar To Pangi Road, Via Kishtwar, India
Only 114 kilometers (70.83 miles) long, this road is not for the weak-hearted, and only daredevils are known to complete it. Before even encountering cliff edges and beautiful views, you have to go up a steep climb using an unpaved road. Before you complete this journey, you will experience the beauty of the Chenab River.
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12points
#12 Karnali Highway, Nepal
The Karnali highway has everything - unpaved roads, landslides, and importance to local communities. Connecting Jumla to the capital and the Surkhet district, this highway is so dangerous that police have banned its usage at night. While some parts are paved, there are still sections with gravel surface roads.
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12points
#13 Passage Du Gois, France
If you want to drive on the Passage Du Gois — you’re going to need a bigger boat for your car. This 4.125 kilometers (2.6 mi) long causeway connects Beauvoir-sur-Mer with the island of Noirmoutier and floods twice a day. For slower drivers — this causeway might be a dangerous road to go on.
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12points
#14 Cotahuasi Canyon Road, Southern Peru
A 10-12 hour bus drive is already tiring, but when you throw in a canyon road with little to no paving — anxiety will keep you from sleeping. Only four-wheel vehicles are viable on Cotahuasi Canyon Road, as there is a lot of loose gravel and steep inclines. Luckily, a bus does go from one end to another.
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11points
#15 Canning Stock Route, Australia
Only the tough and rough could handle the Canning Stock Route in the land down under that is Australia. Besides the lack of amenities and emergency services, it’s 1,850 kilometers (1,150 miles) long. It takes 21 days to complete this route, and you will need a four-wheel drive car and multiple spare parts.
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11points
#16 Snowdonia’s Mountainous Passage, UK
Instead of having guardrails everywhere, Snowdonia’s Mountainous Passage mostly has rocks on the sides. Known more formally as the A496, this road provides some scenic views for drivers. However, due to the beautiful sights, drivers might get distracted and cause some serious and fatal crashes.
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#17 Taroko Gorge Road, Taiwan
Roads are meant to go around obstacles, but Taroko Gorge Road goes through the mountain in some areas. Carved through and out of a mountain, this road is narrow and winding, where only a bus takes a casual ride. With hairpins, single-lane tunnels, and more, drivers of cars, scooters, and buses have to fight for available space.
10points
#18 Bayburt D915, Turkey
This route is difficult because it runs along the border of Turkey's Northeast Anatolia and Black Sea areas. Bayburt D915 is 106 kilometers (65 miles) long, and the danger comes from the fact that it is mostly unpaved. Because it is used by trucks and simple cars, heavy traffic is a common sight on this narrow road.
10points
#19 Rodovia Da Morte, Brazil
Rodovia Régis Bittencourt, known more by the nickname Rodovia Da Morte, might be the most dangerous road in Brazil. This highway, 496 kilometers (308 miles) long, is known for the multiple accidents that happen due to the immense truck traffic and heavy traffic. Over the years since its creation, maintenance and extension works were conducted to make it safer.
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10points
#20 Commonwealth Avenue, Philippines
Traffic can sometimes be slow, boring, and, in extreme cases, lethal, like in the Philippines on Commonwealth Avenue. This 12.4 kilometers (7.7 miles) long highway, with 6 to 18 lanes, is the largest road in the country and one of the most dangerous. Due to the heavy and slow traffic, 3 to 5 accidents happen on this highway often.
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