World’s riskest roads

World’s riskest roads

Rohtang Pass, India –

Rohtang means literally, “pile of corpses”. That name comes from deadly mudslides that often cover the 4km-high road in the eastern Himalayas. This is the area of unpredictable weather, including snowstorms and sudden avalanches.

Transfăgărășan Road, Romania –

Transfăgărășan means across Făgărășan Mountains in Romania. It is 90km of hairpin turns and dramatic descents. It was built as a military route in case of an invasion, the road connects the two tallest mountains in the Southern Carpathians, Moldoveanu and Negoiu, and ascends a total of 2,034m in altitude.

Prithvi Highway, Nepal –

Running from Katmandu to Pokhara this road pasts beautiful sights such as Annapurna. But cost of this view can be potentially high. You can see vehicles that have ended up in the river chasms. Foley, a Las Vegas resident, said the “joy ride” was well worth it one way – but decided to catch a plane back to Kathmandu rather than pressing her luck twice.

Kolyma Highway, Siberia –

Locals know that road as “Trassa” – simply “The Route” – because in this desolate, frozen region of eastern Siberia, it is the only main road. Another nickname for the highway, “the road of bones”, because of its tragic history: it was built by the hundreds of thousands of political prisoners. After the road fell into disrepair for decades, today, the 2,031km route is still known as the “world’s coldest road”.

Guoliang Tunnel, China –

For decades, the tiny cliff top village of Guoliang, was reachable only by climbing the mountain on foot. From 1972 to 1977 residents of local village used explosives and shovels to dig 1.2km tunnel. Dangerous to build, the route is also dangerous to drive. This tunnel is placed on the top of the cliff and is 4m wide and particularly treacherous after rains, when it can become very slippery.