Trifter

Most of us enjoy driving especially in other countries as long as we have an idea of where we are going but what would happen if you came across some of these roads? Personally I think I would rather get out and walk. Unless there is a bit of dare devil in you then you would probably join me! This would certainly prove to be more than a Sunday afternoon drive.

1. The Road of Death, Bolivia

   

   There is a road in Bolivia that is called the North Yungas Road otherwise known as The Death Road. This seems somewhat self explanatory once seen. This road stretches 61 to 69 km leading from La Paz to Coroico which is Bolivia’s capital to the Amazon region in the Yungas region of Bolivia. This road is noted for its extreme danger. It was 1995 that the Inter-American Development Bank named this road the most dangerous road in the world. It is estimated that 200 to 300 people were killed on this road. Along this road there are crosses which mark many places where people have died when their vehicle went over the edge. Fortunately there was an alternative road built in 2006.

2. Guoliang Tunnel Road, China

   

   This road was built by local villagers and is located in Taihang Mountains in the Hunan Province of China and was built by local villagers. It took five years to finish this 1,200 meter long tunnel. This tunnel is five meters high and four meters wide. During the construction of this tunnel some of the villagers that worked on it died during the construction. The tunnel was open to traffic on May 1st. 1977.

3. Ruta 5: Arica to Iquique Road, Chile

   

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   This road looks a bit deceiving with its stark beauty but is renowned for being dangerous. It’s the road from Arica to Iquique. You have to go past very deep valleys and wind your way pass skeleton vehicles that never made the complete journey.  You would think that drivers would go slowly on this road but it is quite the contrary, you would find that they are certainly tempting fate by just whizzing by. The key to driving this road is total concentration and stay away from anything that would put you under the influence and you may have a chance of making it to the bottom.

4. Siberian Road to Yakutsk, Russia

   

   In our province we always complain about the roads but seeing this makes me rethink this. This is the Russian Federal Highway which connects Moscow to Yakutsk. This is a place that the coldest temperature in the world was recorded outside the Antarctica. The city of Yakutsk is also the largest city built on continuous permafrost.  Most houses have concrete piles under them to keep them stable. Winter driving is somewhat of a nightmare with the storms they experience but July and August brings the nasty mess that you see here. They can’t pave this highway due to the permafrost; therefore they are faced with a total mud pile which in turn causes traffic jams every time it rains. I don’t think a Hummer could handle this.

5. Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China

   

   The Sichaun-Tibet Highway starts at Chengdu of Sichuan on the east and ends at Lhasa of Tibet on the west. It stretches 14 high mountains that average four to five thousand meters. It is a high elevation road that has its share of danger from landslides and rock avalanches. It spans many famous rivers such as Dadu River, Jinsha River, Lantsang River and Nujiang just to name a few. Driving this road you will cross primeval forest and numerous dangerous sections. It may be dangerous but it also offers breathtaking views.

6. The James Dalton Highway, Alaska

   

   This road gives you 414 miles of gravel. It goes straight north from the Livengood turnoff on the Elliott Highway, through arctic tundra to the farthest north reaches of Alaska. It cost 150 million dollars and was built to service the pipeline. The dangers to this road is that you will be sharing the road with some mega trucks, windshields and headlights are a free for all on this highway from flying rocks and the trucks that whiz by you kick up a lot of snow or dust leaving you wonder just where you are. The potholes alone take a toll on any vehicle and repairs or services are non-existent. You don’t drive this road unless you well prepared.

So there you have it, not exactly roads where you would take a leisurely drive but they would certainly get your blood and heart flowing while you venture into their grasp.