From rugged paths hugging the cliffs of the Himalayas to frigid roads carved through the Arctic tundra, some routes require much more than just a full tank and good brakes…
1/101. North Yungas Road, Bolivia: Locally referred to as El Camino de la Muerte, this 40-mile gravel road was estimated to take between 200 and 300 lives annually before a safer alternative arrived — yet daring cyclists continue to flock here for a thrill. (Image: Reuters)
2/102. James Dalton Highway, Alaska: This 414-mile stretch, popularized by reality television, features primarily loose gravel that can damage tires and windshields, with fuel stations spaced hundreds of miles apart, and winters dipping below −40°F. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
3/103. Zoji La Pass, India: Reaching over 11,500 feet, this pass narrows to a single lane where two vehicles cannot pass, yet it is a crucial route for thousands, even with a new tunnel avoiding its most treacherous parts. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
4/104. Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China: Spanning 1,500 miles across 14 mountain ranges, this road sees numerous casualties due to landslides and rockfalls throughout its journey from Chengdu to Lhasa. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
5/105. Guoliang Tunnel Road, China: Carved out of a rocky mountain face by residents of the remote Guoliang village in the 1970s, this road leaves little room for error for drivers. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
6/106. Fairy Meadows Road, Pakistan: This hand-carved path ascends to 3,300 meters altitude and has seen no maintenance since its construction, leaving drivers exposed to steep drops. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
7/107. Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand: This 16.5-mile road, carved by miners over a century ago, is so perilous that car insurance becomes void for those who venture on it. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
8/108. Transfăgărășan Highway, Romania: This serpentine mountain road ascends to over 2,000 meters, featuring sharp hairpin turns, tunnels, and sudden elevation changes, with wandering sheep posing unpredictable challenges. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
9/109. Atlantic Road, Norway: Connecting Kristiansund and Molde, this road features eight amazing bridges, including the steep Storseisundet Bridge, resembling a diving board rather than a typical crossing. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
10/1010. Ibar Highway, Serbia: Dubbed the Black Highway, this route shows that danger doesn’t just come from elevation; a stretch of long straightaways combined with treacherous corners leads to many accidents, particularly at night. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
