Most terrifying roads and highways in the world

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If you own a car, then you already possess the essential ingredient to one of the most fun ways to travel: the roadtrip. For some people, driving if a form of relaxation, but there are a few roads on earth that would thrill even the most level-headed and experienced driver.

There are many scenic highways in the world that take you to places of unimaginable beauty, but on the down-side, the best highways end up being either dangerous or plain scary. If you want to know which highways to avoid on your trip, or on the contrary, to launch on a road tripping adventure on one of the most terrifying highways in the world, this list will give you some tips.

Interstate 5, U.S.A.

The Interstate 5 is the main highway on the west coast of the United States, running in parallel with the Pacific Ocean from Canada to Mexico. Of course, not the entire interstate is scary (no one would use it anymore is it were), only the portion which runs through the Central Valley in California.

The highway is prone to Tule fog at nighttime, and in a matter of seconds you can go from seeing clearly what’s in front of you to seeing absolutely nothing. Clearly, these aren’t good driving conditions, but in addition to this, it looks like a scene straight out of a horror movie.

Death Road, Bolivia

The name of this road says it all. Officially the most dangerous road in the world, the Death Road is as beautiful as it is scary. The road runs a measly 70 km from La Paz to Coroico through the Bolivian Andes, with extreme hairpin curves and narrow sections. A fatal accident happens on this road every couple of weeks, and the edges of the road are littered with the car carcasses and debris left-over from other accidents.

The fact that the road is not paved doesn’t help either. Unless you consider that roadtrips should be considered an extreme sport, you should avoid this highway and take the plane instead.

Lena Highway, Russia

Lena Highway, running for 600 miles from Moscow to Yakutsk in Siberia,  is nicknamed the highway from hell. It is enough to look at pictures of it to realize why. The last portion of the road is parallel with Lena River, and it seems to be made out entirely of knee deep mud.

Trudging through the slime is a feat even if you’re on foot, and driving on the road seems like an impossible mission, but some people seem to manage it anyway. Luckily, the road is frozen in winter, and only summer rains unleash the muddy horror upon the helpless travelers. If you are brave enough to drive on Lena Highway in summer, don’t forget to take provisions with you, in case you get caught in the rain.

Trollstigen, Norway

Norway has some spectacular roads and highways, but Trollstigen, a section of Norwegian National Road 63, is the champion of them all. The road is very steep and has eleven hairpin curves that will either make your hair stand on end or induce a bout of nausea.

Besides the curves, the worst thing about this road is the fact that it’s extremely narrow, and you have to be very careful when passing other cars. However, the reward is worth it: once you’re on top, you’ll see one of the most amazing views on earth.

El Espinazo del Diablo, Mexico

The name of this road means the Devil’s Backbone in Spanish, sounds worse than it actually is. It takes about five hours to drive from start to end on the devil’s backbone, and there are some dangerous curves and narrow sections, but there are plenty of places where you can stop, take a break, and admire the breathtaking scenery.

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Comments on Most terrifying roads and highways in the world

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chuck wrote on July 4, 2011:

check the road between salard and sudrigiu in romania…

 

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