The 9 Most Dangerous Roads in the World

Dramatic switchbacks, extreme slopes, risks of landslides or avalanches—most of the world's most dangerous roads are fraught with risk. Below are the nine most dangerous roads in the world for the most adventurous amongst us, from India to Italy and beyond. While they are often the only way to visit certain breathtaking sites, most of them are not recommended unless you drive a robust vehicle accompanied by a guide.

With its 99 hairpin bends, this road in Tianmen Mountain National Park is traced through the mountains, at an altitude of almost 6,561 feet. This route is reserved for the most seasoned drivers as accidents are (very) likely, especially when the road is too steep, or in inclement weather. Plus, there’s an ever-present risk of earthquakes to consider.

The Stelvio Pass, nestled on the Italian-Swiss border, is a mountain pass in northern Italy, at an elevation of 9,045 feet above sea level. Made up of some 75 narrow bends, the road is considered by Top Gear motoring magazine as one of the best roads in the world on which to drive a Ferrari. But this feat is reserved for the bold—because this section is regularly closed during bad weather, and is not recommended at night.

Commonly considered to be the most perilous in the world, Death Road in the Yungas of northern Bolivia overlooks the Amazon rainforest. But is this panorama worth the danger it represents? 200 hairpin bends, fatal precipices, landslides, rock falls—the risks are many and frequent, so much so that 300 people perished here every year until the 1990s. Traffic has now been largely regulated, but deaths still occur—the road is thus sadly, but aptly named.

In southern Peru, this road takes you on a journey through the world’s third-deepest canyon, which lasts between 10 and 12 hours. The road is not fully paved and should (theoretically) only be accessible to 4X4 vehicles. In the rainy season, the road becomes particularly muddy, and is therefore off-limits.

Despite France’s excellent road safety record, there are still some relatively risky routes, such as the Gois Passage linking the island of Noirmoutier to the French mainland. To reach the island, you have to cross the Atlantic via path, which is covered by water most of the time. Make sure you keep a close eye on the tide times, as you'll only have three hours to use it before the ocean returns.

Thousands of drivers have died on this highway since it was built in the 1950s, enough to discourage many from using it. The area is exposed to a constant risk of landslides and avalanches, and despite being called a “highway,” it is in fact a series of twists and turns through imposing mountains. Those nostalgic for the film Himalaya (1999) will remember the tragic falls of yaks on this roads’ narrowest paths.

Perched at an altitude of 3,937 deet, the Katu-Yaryk pass in Siberia’s Altai region offers a spectacular route to the top of the mountain. However, this route is strictly reserved for 4X4s, as it consists mainly of unstable gravel with no side protection. The route also involves crossing small streams and slopes of up to 19% incline. The view of the valley from the top is breathtaking, but well worth the effort.

Central Asia is definitely home to a large number of dangerous roads. One of the best known, the Zoji La Pass, crosses the Himalayas, which is the world’s highest mountain range. This dirt road, devoid of guardrails and signposts, is subject to constant landslides and winds its way up to an altitude of 10,990 feet. Fortunately, it is only five miles long and impassable in winter.

Sensitive souls should refrain: this series of Chinese tunnels is carved out of the rock and undulates between the mountains. But despite its frightening appearance, the Guoliang road is very busy, offering an exceptional view of the tourist site it overlooks. Buses, cars and scooters pile up on this road with its blind, narrow bends in the cliff face.