Extreme travel: 7 road trips that are NOT for the faint-hearted, and here’s why they are so loved

For thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts, few experiences rival the heart-pounding excitement of navigating the world’s most dangerous roads. These routes, often carved into remote and unforgiving landscapes, test the limits of both driver and vehicle with their treacherous conditions—narrow paths, sheer cliffs, precipitous drops, and unpredictable weather.

From torrential rains and blinding snowstorms to dense fog and gale-force winds, these roads demand nerves of steel, exceptional skill, and an unyielding spirit of adventure. Here are eight of the world’s most perilous roads, detailing their unique challenges and why they attract adventurers from around the globe.

North Yungas Road, Bolivia

Infamously dubbed the “Death Road,” North Yungas Road stretches 69 kilometers from La Paz to Coroico, carved precariously into the Bolivian Andes.

This narrow, winding route clings to mountainsides with sheer drops of up to 600 meters (1,968 feet) and no guardrails in most sections. Today, safer alternative routes exist, but thrill-seekers still flock to Yungas for its notoriety and stunning Amazonian vistas.

Guoliang Tunnel Road, China

The Guoliang Tunnel Road, located in Henan Province’s Taihang Mountains, is a marvel of human determination and extreme engineering. In the 1970s, villagers hand-carved this 1.2-kilometer tunnel through sheer cliffs to connect their remote village to the outside world.

The road is narrow, often less than 4 meters wide, with uneven surfaces, sharp turns, and open “windows” in the tunnel walls revealing dizzying drops into the valley below.

Trans-Siberian Highway, Russia

Spanning nearly 11,000 kilometers from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, the Trans-Siberian Highway is one of the longest road networks in the world, crossing Russia’s vast and varied terrain. The road’s condition varies from paved highways to rutted gravel tracks, and long stretches between fuel stations and services demand meticulous planning.

The Trans-Siberian Highway is a dream for adventurers seeking an epic, cross-continental journey.

Leh-Manali Highway, India

The Leh-Manali Highway stretches 479 kilometers through the Indian Himalayas, connecting Leh in Ladakh to Manali in Himachal Pradesh. This high-altitude road, reaching elevations over 5,300 meters, crosses some of the world’s highest motorable passes, including Tanglang La and Baralacha La. Drivers face oxygen-thin air, freezing temperatures, and sudden snowstorms, even in summer, alongside frequent landslides and rockfalls.

This highway is a magnet for adventure motorcyclists and 4WD enthusiasts, offering a thrilling ride through the stark, otherworldly beauty of the Himalayas.

Trollstigen, Norway

Known as the “Troll’s Path,” Trollstigen is a serpentine mountain road in Norway’s Rauma region, climbing through the Trolltindene mountains with an 11 percent gradient and 11 hairpin turns. Stretching 55 kilometers, the road features narrow lanes, sharp curves, and sheer drops of up to 700 meters, with minimal guardrails.

Trollstigen is a favorite among driving enthusiasts and tourists for its jaw-dropping scenery, with panoramic lookouts offering views of cascading waterfalls and rugged peaks.

Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand

Skippers Canyon Road, a 16.5-kilometer track near Queenstown, New Zealand, was carved into the cliffs of Skippers Canyon during the 19th-century gold rush. This narrow, winding gravel road, often just wide enough for one vehicle, hugs sheer cliffs with drops of up to 100 meters and no guardrails.

Loose gravel, sharp turns, and steep inclines require exceptional driving skill. A guided road trip is a smart option for this road.

Stelvio Pass, Italy

The Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps, at 2,757 meters, is one of Europe’s highest and most iconic mountain passes. Its 48 hairpin turns over 24 kilometers challenge drivers with steep ascents, tight corners, and narrow lanes. Sheer drops and limited guardrails add to the danger, while heavy cyclist and tourist traffic in peak seasons increases the need for caution. Stelvio Pass is a mecca for driving and cycling enthusiasts, offering a test of skill amid some of the Alps’ most stunning vistas—snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and sweeping valleys.