Six Worst Roads To Drive In The World

While driving down our highways, we often see asphalt paving companies at work, and we are quietly appreciative of their contribution to our well-being, knowing every precaution has been addressed in making our trip comfortable, But not all highways are created equal, nor are very many roads asphalt covered. With 1.3 million deaths world-wide from traffic accidents, some roads are just not safe.

El Camino de la Muerte-Peru

The Road of Death is only 43 miles long, but it has made the Top 10 lists for years as the most dangerous of roads. It goes over the Andes from La Paz to the town of Coroico. Few travelers have time to admire the scenery, with heavy fog and rains making the highway almost impassable. The narrow unpaved road has no guard rails and many vehicles end up going over the side.

Stelvio Pass-Italian Alps

From it's heights, and looking back down, the road looks like a heart-rhythm strip gone wild. The 60 180-degree hair-pin turns are mind-bending. Although the road is paved, there is still little to protect the unwary driver, and after climbing 1.7 miles up, it's a long way down.

Helsenia Highway-Philippines

The Helsenia Highway in the Central Cordillera Valley in 150 miles long. It is known for the it's scenic beauty. The highway is mostly unpaved, with sheer cliff faces and no guard rails. It is impassable during the rainy reason, with rock and mud slides hampering travel. The 1,000 foot drops over the sides of the roads make travel perilous, and many motorists have been killed.

The Leh-Manali Highway-India

Winding 247 miles through the Himalaya Mountains in India, this highway reaches 2-3 miles in elevation. It is considered the world's most challenging road and though it has been well built and maintained, it is still dangerous. Snows close the highway in the bitter cold winter months, and there are frequent landslides. Oxygen deprivation is a problem for some people too.

Sichuan-Tibet Highway

Connecting Lhasa (Tibet) with Chengelu in China, some 1,500 miles away, the roadway takes a traveler through beautiful scenic vistas and high mountain peaks. The highest point on the highway is Que'er Mountain Pass, rising to 20,000 feet. It's not uncommon to run into hair-pin turns, landslides, rock falls, extreme weather with heavy snowfall, and altitude sickness.

Fairy Meadows-Pakistan 

The Fairy Garden lies at the base of 26,660 foot high Nanga Parbat. A much visited scenic retreat favored by hikers, backpackers and camera-bugs, it is extremely difficult to get to, unless you are stout of heart. The road winds for 6 miles and is unpaved, rock strewn and very dangerous.

Alexia is a well traveled blogger and like to write about her adventures. For more information on how asphalt paving companies make roads safer please visit utahasphalt.com