Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in the World

Travel is an adventure, but some of the world’s roads take risk to the extreme. These roads challenge the skills of the world’s best drivers with their steep drop-offs, adverse weather, and no guardrails. Here are the world’s top 10 most dangerous roads.

1. North Yungas Road (Bolivia)

Dubbed the “Death Road,” this narrow road twists through the Andes Mountains, with 600-meter or more vertical drop-offs. Add fog, landslides, and no guardrails, and it’s one of the world’s most dangerous roads.

2. Guoliang Tunnel Road (China)

Carved into the side of a mountain by local villagers, this tunnel road is extremely narrow with rocky walls and poor visibility. It’s breathtaking but dangerous, especially in the rain.

3. James Dalton Highway (Alaska, USA)

This 414-mile ice road is mostly traveled by truckers. There are no medical centers, the temperature is extremely cold, and there are long stretches of total isolation, making it one of North America’s most dangerous routes.

4. Karakoram Highway (Pakistan-China)

It’s the world’s highest paved road and traverses the Himalayas and Karakoram Range. It’s susceptible to frequent landslides, floods, and altitude sickness, making it a dangerous but breathtaking road.

5. Skippers Canyon Road (New Zealand)

This narrow and curved road is so dangerous that car rental agencies don’t insure travelers who take the road. The sharp turns and steep drop-offs make it even more dangerous.

6. Fairy Meadows Road (Pakistan)

This road, to the breathtaking Nanga Parbat base camp, is extremely narrow, unpaved, and guardrail-less. It’s considered one of the most dangerous roads due to its vertical drop-offs and tough terrain.

7. Zoji La Pass (India)

Situated at an elevation of 11,500 feet, this mountain pass links Ladakh and Kashmir. Heavy snowfall, landslides, and steep roads make it one of India’s most dangerous roads.

8. Sichuan-Tibet Highway (China)

This 2,142 km highway runs through landslide zones and high-altitude zones. Sudden rockfalls and unpredictable weather conditions make it a dangerous ride.

9. Atlantic Ocean Road (Norway)

Though stunningly beautiful, this road is prone to strong waves and storms that can make driving extremely dangerous, particularly during bad weather.

10. Paso de los Libertadores (Chile-Argentina)

This road is a series of hairpin turns as it winds its way through the Andes. The combination of steep turns, steep cliffs, and unpredictable weather conditions makes it one of South America’s most dangerous roads.