Road trips are a great way to see a new country whilst on holiday, with tourists able to take their own pace and stop and see the sights when they want to. Whilst many destinations are home to plenty of scenic and breathtaking driving routes, some of these may not be the safest to navigate.

Leading car rental comparison company, Drive South Africa, researched the road trip routes around the world that are considered the most dangerous and should be approached with caution by tourists and road users. Below are 7 of the most dangerous roads around the world.

7 of the most dangerous road trips around the world

1. North Yungas Road, Bolivia

Nicknamed the “road of death”, this was dubbed the most dangerous road in the world back in 1995. Up until the mid 90s, it was estimated that between 200 and 300 travellers died falling off the cliff every year, with the road having more than 200 dangerous hairpin turns along its 80 km length. Prior to an alternative route being completed in 2006, the road was one of the few routes that connected the northern Amazon jungle with the city of La Paz.

2. Guoliang Tunnel, China

Prior to its construction, access to the village of Guoliang was restricted to a narrow pathway carved into the mountainside, meaning the villagers were cut off from civilization. As there was no support from the Chinese government, a group of villagers decided to build the tunnel road themselves with just hammers and chisels. The tunnel took five years to be completed, with some of the villagers dying during the complex construction. With sheer cliffs and a lack of guardrails, this route is particularly dangerous when it’s been raining.

3. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan-China

Often referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions it was constructed under, driving this route certainly comes with its risks. Almost 900 workers died during its construction as a result of landslides and falls, with it taking 27 years for the highway to be completed. 4×4 vehicles are recommended for those wishing to drive the route, with the highway at risk of stones, rockfall, floods and earthquakes; therefore a vehicle that can withstand the elements is essential

4. Rohtang Pass, India

With an elevation of 13,058 ft, this mountainous pass is one of the most dangerous roads in India. The road is in extremely poor condition and is closed in the winter due to heavy snow. Sinister bends, sharp drops with no barrier, landslides and rockfall all contribute to the road’s tricky nature, along with traffic jams sometimes leading to 12 hour delays. However, the pass offers beautiful views of glaciers, peaks, Lahaul Valley and the Chandra River.

5. Skippers Canyon, New Zealand

This unpaved road was hand carved by miners more than 140 years ago during the gold rush, and is so dangerous that car insurance won’t be honoured for any motorists that choose to drive across it. The route is perilously narrow, with most parts of the road being too narrow for more than one car, and the lack of guard rails, steep drops and twisty hairpin turns leave zero room for error.

6. Austrian Road, Kazakhstan

Built by Austro-Hungarian WW1-prisoners in 1915 with picks and shovels, this road is situated in a very remote area and motorists should expect to potentially have to stop off for the night in a tent. The route consists of endless hairpin turns, as well as having to cross 16 bridges and fords, with bridges often falling into disrepair, making them impossible to use. A 4×4 vehicle is essential here and drivers should definitely not embark on the route alone.

7. Route 622 (Svalvogar Road), Iceland

Another route where a 4×4 vehicle is a necessity is route 622 in Iceland, with rough gravel and mud to be expected, as well as a large portion of the road being below sea level when the tide is high. Whilst the scenic road features some breathtaking views of the Northwestern Icelandic coastline, in several places the route is nothing more than a narrow rocky track so should be approached with trepidation.

Keen to take a less treacherous road trip? Drive South Africa recently launched their crowdsourced Road Trip Explorer, a platform which showcases African road trips taken by real travellers. From coastal family adventures, to driving routes through the winelands, there’s a road trip to inspire everyone.

Check out the Road Trip Explorer here: www.drivesouthafrica.com/roadtripexplorer