Let’s start with the Asian Karakoram Highway — the highest paved road in the world! It’s located at 16,000 feet above sea level.
It also stretches for more than 800 miles! If you’re a history fan, you’ll be pleased to know it follows parts of the old Silk Road — an ancient trade route that connected Asia with the West. People used the road to carry goods and ideas between the two great civilizations.
The Dalton Highway in Alaska isn’t a walk in the park either. For starters, at times, it gets slippery, which can give a headache to even the most experienced of drivers.
The 400-mile-long road stretches through remote forests and over the Yukon River. Since there are only three towns along the road, people who need to drive on the Dalton Highway are strongly encouraged to bring their own gear and lots of supplies. The road has a 240-mile stretch with no gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and whatnot. It’s the longest stretch of road with no services in North America. What makes the highway even more difficult to travel on is that most of the road is made from gravel.
In the winter, it gets even more complicated since the road becomes a lot more slippery.
The North Yungas Road is thought to be the world’s most dangerous! Why? Maybe because it’s a single-lane, dirt road? Most probably! It connects the cities of La Paz and, stretching along the side of the Cordillera Oriental Mountains. Should you ever feel the need to look over the edge here, you’ll be astonished to see that the ground is really far away — 4,000 to 15,000 feet down.
The road was built in the 1930s. Its widest part is 12 feet. Width aside, people driving here often have to deal with thick fog, heavy rain, and even some loose rocks every now and then. Add limited visibility and more than 200 hairpin turns to the mix! As scary as it sounds, this famous route is still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bolivia.
Heading over to New Zealand! You’re about to visit a 140-year-old unpaved road carved into the side of a mountain! It’s so dangerous that you have to get a special permit to drive on it.
And don’t even think about renting a car, as most rental companies won’t allow their vehicles to go to that area. And the standard insurance won’t cover any issues you might face there. Bummer. This narrow road goes almost vertically to the Shotover River. So, if you come across another vehicle on the way, you certainly won’t be able to pass each other. You’ll most likely need to reverse for up to 2 miles to reach a wider part of the road. Local tour operators can take visitors up the canyon if you’re really eager to visit the area.
Most people are. Why? Well, because this road was a popular backdrop for a lot of movies.
Looking for some peace and quiet? The Canning Stock Route might be just the place for you! You won’t get any views here, just a lot of dust and barely anyone around. Not to mention there aren’t many road signs, and it’s really easy to get lost here. This completely secluded road stretches for 1,150 miles. You can find it in Western Australia.
You’ll need 3 weeks to drive it from start to finish, so it’s best if you book yourself some time off work if you really plan on visiting. Just don’t start your journey in the summer months as the temperatures there can be almost unbearable. Don’t forget to pack plenty of food, water, and spare parts. And, most importantly, don’t drive alone! You’d better follow a convoy of experienced drivers.
