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Around the World Travel - 5 of the Scariest Drives in the World
- By Jeffery Nevil
- Published 01/14/2012
- Destinations
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Jeffery Nevil
Jeffrey Nevil writes on a number of subjects including , hotels in Kent.
Around the World Travel - 5 of the Scariest Drives in the World
There's nothing quite like the thrill of the open road. If you're indulging in a spot of around the world travel, hiring a car or motor home is a great way to get out and explore the country at your own pace. You just can't beat the freedom and independence of having your own set of wheels. Be warned though, unless you are extremely adventurous, completely fearless and very well insured, you may just want to avoid the following routes:
The North Yungas Road - Bolivia
Dubbed the 'road of death', a catchy if somewhat undesirable nickname, it was handed the dubious title of the 'most dangerous road in the world' by the Inter-American Development bank. On leaving La Paz, the highest capital city in the world, the road climbs even higher, just short of a lung-sapping 3 miles above sea level. It stretches for around 40 miles to the Amazonian town of Coroico, hugging sheer mountainside all the way. It's as narrow as 10 feet in places, with sheer drops of over 1,000 feet to the rainforest below. It's treacherous enough in the dry season but when the rains hit, it's incredibly perilous. With no safety barriers, an estimated 200-300 drivers and passengers are killed along this road every year.
James Dalton Highway - Alaska, USA
The Dalton Highway was built in the 1970's as a supply route to support the Trans-Alaska oil company. Stretching for 414 miles, it traverses northern Alaska and endures some of the harshest and least forgiving weather conditions on the planet. Avalanches are frequent, black ice is prevalent, potholes are everywhere and services along the way are virtually nonexistent. Not for the faint hearted!
Sichuan-Tibet Highway - China
This epic, high-elevation route runs for nearly 1,500 miles between Chengdu & Tibet. It traverses 14 high mountains, averaging 4000-5000 metres, crosses several gaping gorges and bridges numerous rushing rivers. The scenery is spectacular, as long as you manage to avoid the routine rock falls and landslides!
Karakoram Highway - Pakistan & China
The highest paved road in the world, the Karakoram Highway starts in Abbottabad, now infamous as the location of Osama Bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan. It stretches for some 800 miles, to the city of Kashgar in China at altitudes that regularly exceed 4,500 metres. Those brave enough to risk the landslides, monsoon rains, heavy snow and altitude sickness are rewarded with breathtaking mountain scenery, including views of K2, the second highest mountain on the planet.
Canning Stock Route - Western Australia
One of the most remote roads in the world, the Canning Stock Route runs from Wiluna to Halls Creek. This 1,100 mile route was forged some 100 miles ago by cattlemen and crosses one of the harshest desert landscapes on the planet. Other than one or two tiny Aboriginal communities, there are no signs of civilization along the way and you can travel for days along this sun-baked sand track without seeing another living soul. Not a good place to breakdown.
The North Yungas Road - Bolivia
Dubbed the 'road of death', a catchy if somewhat undesirable nickname, it was handed the dubious title of the 'most dangerous road in the world' by the Inter-American Development bank. On leaving La Paz, the highest capital city in the world, the road climbs even higher, just short of a lung-sapping 3 miles above sea level. It stretches for around 40 miles to the Amazonian town of Coroico, hugging sheer mountainside all the way. It's as narrow as 10 feet in places, with sheer drops of over 1,000 feet to the rainforest below. It's treacherous enough in the dry season but when the rains hit, it's incredibly perilous. With no safety barriers, an estimated 200-300 drivers and passengers are killed along this road every year.
James Dalton Highway - Alaska, USA
The Dalton Highway was built in the 1970's as a supply route to support the Trans-Alaska oil company. Stretching for 414 miles, it traverses northern Alaska and endures some of the harshest and least forgiving weather conditions on the planet. Avalanches are frequent, black ice is prevalent, potholes are everywhere and services along the way are virtually nonexistent. Not for the faint hearted!
Sichuan-Tibet Highway - China
This epic, high-elevation route runs for nearly 1,500 miles between Chengdu & Tibet. It traverses 14 high mountains, averaging 4000-5000 metres, crosses several gaping gorges and bridges numerous rushing rivers. The scenery is spectacular, as long as you manage to avoid the routine rock falls and landslides!
Karakoram Highway - Pakistan & China
The highest paved road in the world, the Karakoram Highway starts in Abbottabad, now infamous as the location of Osama Bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan. It stretches for some 800 miles, to the city of Kashgar in China at altitudes that regularly exceed 4,500 metres. Those brave enough to risk the landslides, monsoon rains, heavy snow and altitude sickness are rewarded with breathtaking mountain scenery, including views of K2, the second highest mountain on the planet.
Canning Stock Route - Western Australia
One of the most remote roads in the world, the Canning Stock Route runs from Wiluna to Halls Creek. This 1,100 mile route was forged some 100 miles ago by cattlemen and crosses one of the harshest desert landscapes on the planet. Other than one or two tiny Aboriginal communities, there are no signs of civilization along the way and you can travel for days along this sun-baked sand track without seeing another living soul. Not a good place to breakdown.