There are plenty of drivers out there who can make the flattest, widest, emptiest road into a death trap, yet even for the steady of foot and most careful, these roads featured at Atlas Obscura would make the stoutest-hearted traveler think twice about going for a ride.
Fairy Meadows Road
Pakistan
Don’t be fooled by the road’s pretty name, because there aren’t any fairy or meadow sightings on this route. Instead, drivers are faced with unsightly dirt roads and rocky hills. The 16.2 kilometer (roughly 10 mile) unstable Fairy Meadows Road connects the Karakoram Highway to the Tato Village in Pakistan. It was named as the second deadliest highway in the world in 2013 by dangerousroads.org. This route isn’t for the faint of heart as it’s on the base of Nanga Parbat, one of the tallest mountains in the world with a height of 26,660 feet.
Road Hazards: The ascending six miles of unpaved road has no barriers on the side, so there’s always a chance of slipping off course. Heavy snowfalls and avalanches may also block some parts of the road.
Halsema Highway
Philippines
The Philippines is known for its ocean views, so the first thing that many people think of are the seaside roads and beautiful beaches. However, this country is also known for its deadly mountain road called the Halsema Highway. Commuters, locals, and tourists have no choice but to pass through the risky highway since it is the only road going to Sagada, a popular tourist destination in the country. This route is the highest altitude highway in the Philippines with a measurement of 7,400 feet above sea level. The six hour road trip to the top isn’t suited for those with acrophobia.
Road Hazards: The sharp curves make it more difficult for drivers to overtake other cars, and there are even one-way lanes on this highway. Watch out for buses, trucks, and cars trying to speed ahead of each other.
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