List of Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in the World 2025
Each year, road conditions, geography, and weather patterns combine to make certain highways some of the most hazardous on the planet. In 2025, these 10 roads stand out for their extreme elevation, narrow paths, sharp turns, and accident records. Whether used for local travel or high-risk adventure, these routes demand caution and respect from every driver.
| # | Road Name | Altitude | Length | Special Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Yungas Road (Death Road), Bolivia | 15,260 ft → 3,900 ft | ~40 miles (61 km) | Popular with thrill-seeking cyclists |
| 2 | Karakoram Highway, Pakistan–China | 15,400+ ft | ~800 miles (1,300 km) | Highest international paved road |
| 3 | Dalton Highway, Alaska, USA | Relatively flat | 414 miles (666 km) | Used by oil truckers, very remote |
| 4 | Zoji La Pass, India | 11,575 ft | ~119 miles (193 km) | One of India’s highest motorable roads |
| 5 | Guoliang Tunnel Road, China | ~2,000 ft drop | 0.75 miles (1.2 km) | Carved by hand in the 1970s |
| 6 | Fairy Meadows Road, Pakistan | ~10,800 ft | ~10 miles (16 km) | Only locals and 4x4 vehicles allowed |
| 7 | Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand | ~1,200 ft | ~16.5 miles (26.5 km) | Rental car insurance doesn’t cover it |
| 8 | Transfăgărășan Highway, Romania | 6,699 ft | ~56 miles (90 km) | Featured on Top Gear |
| 9 | Sichuan–Tibet Highway, China | 16,400+ ft | ~1,300 miles (2,100 km) | Travelers use oxygen tanks |
| 10 | Tianmen Mountain Road, China | 4,265 ft | ~6.8 miles (11 km) | Famous for car commercials |
10. Tianmen Mountain Road, China
Also known as the “99 Bends Road,” this winding path climbs to Tianmen Cave with—yes—99 sharp hairpin turns. The road is paved, but the combination of steep cliffs and tight curves makes it a dizzying drive.
Hazards: Sharp curves, steep ascents, dense fog
Altitude: Peaks around 4,265 ft
Fun Fact: A favorite filming location for extreme car stunts and commercials.
9. Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China
This long and rugged road spans nearly 1,300 miles (2,100 km) from Chengdu to Lhasa. It’s subject to rockslides, snowstorms, and sheer mountain cliffs.
Hazards: Altitude sickness, avalanches, narrow curves
Altitude: Over 16,400 ft in some sections
Fun Fact: Travelers often carry oxygen tanks due to thin air.
8. Transfăgărășan Highway, Romania
This mountain road snakes through the Carpathians with endless sharp turns and steep slopes. While stunning, the road is often shrouded in mist and closed during winter.
Hazards: Sudden weather changes, slippery roads, tight hairpins
Altitude: Peaks at 6,699 ft (2,042 m)
Fun Fact: Dubbed “the best road in the world” by Top Gear—but not for the faint of heart.
7. Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand
Skippers Canyon Road is narrow, winding, and carved into the sides of steep cliffs. It's so perilous that rental car insurance doesn’t cover it.
Hazards: Gravel surface, sharp drop-offs, one-lane blind turns
Altitude: Around 1,200 ft above the Shotover River
Fun Fact: Built in the 1880s during the gold rush era.
6. Fairy Meadows Road, Pakistan
Leading to the base camp of Nanga Parbat, this road is nothing short of terrifying. Unpaved, with steep cliffs and no barriers, it's strictly for 4x4 vehicles—and brave hearts.
Hazards: No guardrails, gravel path, rockslides
Altitude: Reaches up to 10,800 ft
Fun Fact: No commercial vehicles allowed—locals only
5. Guoliang Tunnel Road, China
A hand-carved tunnel road in the Taihang Mountains, Guoliang Road is barely wide enough for a single car. The route is etched into cliff faces and has open windows that overlook a sheer drop.
Hazards: Falling rocks, no lights, narrow lanes
Altitude: 2,000-ft drop on one side
Fun Fact: Dug by villagers using chisels and hammers in the 1970s.
4. Zoji La Pass, India
Zoji La is a high-altitude pass in the Himalayas linking Kashmir to Ladakh. It’s often blanketed by snow and battered by landslides. With narrow stretches and no guardrails, one slip can lead to a deadly fall.
Hazards: Snowstorms, rockfalls, sharp edges
Altitude: 11,575 ft (3,528 m)
Fun Fact: Open only during certain months due to heavy snow.
3. James Dalton Highway, Alaska, USA
The Dalton Highway is a remote route stretching 414 miles (666 km) through Alaska’s Arctic wilderness. Built for transporting oil, it features icy roads, blizzards, and miles of isolation.
Hazards: Blizzards, lack of services, wildlife, frostbite risk
Altitude: Flat terrain, but extreme conditions
Fun Fact: Featured in the reality show Ice Road Truckers.
2. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan-China
Known as the highest international paved road in the world, the Karakoram Highway cuts through the harsh Karakoram range. Connecting Pakistan and China, it’s exposed to frequent landslides, floods, and snowstorms.
Hazards: Avalanches, rockfalls, narrow passes
Altitude: Over 15,400 ft above sea level
Fun Fact: Nicknamed the “Eighth Wonder of the World” due to its engineering feat.
1. North Yungas Road, Bolivia (Death Road)
It’s called “Death Road” for a reason. The North Yungas Road is infamous for its sheer drops, foggy curves, and tragic death toll. Stretching 40 miles (61 km) from La Paz to Coroico, this former trade route runs along cliffs with no guardrails and barely enough room for one vehicle.
Hazards: Steep cliffs, fog, landslides, no safety barriers
Altitude: From 15,260 ft to 3,900 ft
Fun Fact: Adventurous mountain bikers now use it for thrill rides—if they dare.
