The number one most dangerous road in the world has been named and traversing it is not for the faint of heart. There are solid reasons why Yungas Road, which winds its way through mountains in Bolivia, is nicknamed ‘death road’, and the reputation is well deserved.
The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) ranked the notorious route as the most dangerous in the world because of its over 200 vertigo-inducing hairpin turns — some with sheer drops of 1,100 metres. The road covers a stretch of 43 miles and connects the capital city of Bolivia La Paz with Coroico. At its highest elevation, the route stands at 4,650 metres (15,256 ft) and drivers often find themselves navigating narrow gravel trails well above cloud level in very challenging conditions. The road’s nickname comes from the many fatalities that happened on it – including the worst crash in the country’s history.
The most horrific incident on Yungas Road which is believed to have happened in July 1983, saw a bus veer into a canyon resulting in the demise of 100 people. To this day, it is still Bolivia’s worst road accident on record.
According to the RAC, the road’s narrow width, averaging only three meters in some sections, combined with its treacherous conditions, steep slopes, and frequent fog, rain, and landslides, contributes to its deadly reputation. A new, two-lane asphalt road with drainage, guardrails, and other safety features was completed in 2006 — diverting most traffic away from the original ‘Death Road’.
The new road significantly decreased the number of accidents and deaths on the route and has reportedly become a haven for wildlife and a popular mountain biking option for adventurers from all over the world.
According to the RAC list, the Karakoram Highway, or KKH, which connects China and Pakistan over a total of 800 miles is the second most dangerous road in the world. Due to the long distance of the journey and sheer drops, drivers need to maintain their wits when travelling along its surface.
Looking more like an open-cut mine than a major road in parts, the third spot sees the Sichuan-Tibet Highway lay claim to the bronze when it comes to the earth’s most dangerous transits. With an average elevation of 4,000 metres, which is taller than many mountains, it is highly regarded as one of the world’s craziest roads.
Dangers include regular landslides and rock avalanches across its 1,330-mile route which starts in Chengdu China and ends in Lhasa, Tibet. One trip across the length of the entire road can take as long as 15 days.