15 crazy streets from around the world

15 crazy streets from around the world

In Bolivia, without winning, I tried to convince Peter to let me do the Death Road bike ride from La Paz.

Normally I wouldn't ask permission for something like this, but having taught me how to ride a bike and having seen me fall off in Bora Bora, hit a wall in Tahiti, and almost get my head busted in the Galápagos, I thought it best to see if he thought I could tackle the Death Road, which is known for claiming 200-300 lives each year (see #15 below).

Of course, he told me categorically that I wasn't ready yet. While I was googling statistics to convince him otherwise, I came across several other crazy roads that were notable for either their terribly bad or terribly good design. Here are the ones that stood out the most.

1. Tianmen Mountain Road, China

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Tianmen Mountain Road, also known as “Heaven-Linking Avenue” or “Big Gate Road,” is considered one of the most dangerous roads in China.

Built between 1998 and 2006, the road rises from 200 m (656 feet) to 1,300 m (4,265 feet) over a distance of 11 km (6.8 miles) and includes an incredible 99 hairpin bends. Those reluctant to take this hair-raising route can instead opt for a cable car ride from the city of Zhangjiajie to the top of Tianmen Mountain.

2. Millau Viaduct, France

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This engineering marvel is one of the tallest bridges in the world, with a mast top 1,125 feet (343 m) above the base.

The dizzying structure, which spans the Tarn River valley in southern France, cost a whopping €400 million to build. It was opened to traffic in December 2004 and has since been considered one of the greatest engineering achievements of our time.

3. Atlantic Road, Norway

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Clearly one of the most scenic roads in the world, the Atlantic Ocean Road runs between the Norwegian cities of Kristiansund and Molde with several bridges connecting the islands in between.

The Storseisundet Bridge is the highest and most dramatic, offering thrills in bad weather and the chance to spot seals and whales in good weather.

4. Trollstigen, Norway

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Our friends from Norway have a second entry on the list with Trollstigen or ‘Troll’s Ladder’. This dramatic mountain road opened in 1936 after eight years of construction and has become a popular tourist attraction.

Its steep grade and 11 hairpin turns make for a hair-raising ride, but only in the spring and summer months. It is closed in autumn and winter due to weather conditions.

5. Guoliang Tunnel Road, China

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High in the Taihang Mountains of China, the village of Guoliang lay isolated from the rest of the world, accessible only by a series of treacherous steps carved into the mountainside.

In 1972, a group of villagers decided to change things by digging a tunnel road through the mountain, working only with hand tools and little experience. The tunnel took five years and a lifetime to build and was opened to traffic in 1977.

Today it is a draw for adventure seekers who prefer to ignore the fact that it is a do-it-yourself tunnel dug by hand through a mountain...

6. Ejima Bridge, Japan

While we'll admit that part of Ejima's appeal lies in clever photo angles, the fact remains that it's insanely steep. Built in 2004, the bridge was built so high that ships weighing up to 500 tons can pass underneath.

Motorists have likened it to a rollercoaster ride, with the steep descent sending stomachs into somersaults.

7. Royal Gorge Bridge, USA

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If heart pounding is your thing then the Royal Gorge Bridge is for you. Located in Colorado's Royal Gorge Park, this bridge sits 955 feet (291 m) above the Arkansas River.

Cars can drive over the main span, but the bridge is primarily used by pedestrians.

8. Stelvio Pass, Italy

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The Stelvio Pass in northern Italy rises to an altitude of 2,757 m (9,045 ft), making it the second highest mountain pass in the Alps. Its 48 tightly wound turns make for a beautiful, if nauseating, ride to the summit, past rocky outcrops and an overhanging glacier.

9. Seven Mile Bridge, USA

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It's perhaps one of the more well-known entries on the list, but still remains eye-catching. With a history dating back to 1909, the current version of the bridge was built from 1978 to 1982.

It is Florida's biggest icon (next to Mickey Mouse) and has been used in several television programs and films including License to Kill, True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Mission Impossible III.

10. Sani Pass, South Africa and Lesotho

alt="The hairpin bends of the Sani Pass in Lesotho">Vaiz Ha; CC BY 2.0

The incredible Sani Pass starts at 1,544 m (5,065 ft) and rises to an altitude of 2,876 m (9,435 ft). The 9 km (5.5 miles) route between Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and Mokhotlong in Lesotho requires a 4×4 vehicle and extreme caution.

Drivers can pass the remains of other vehicles, a stark reminder of the route's treacherous grades and poor traction. In fact, the potential danger is so great that it was announced in 2014 that the pass would be tarred to increase safety and ease of navigation.

11. Zoji La Pass, Kashmir

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At a (literally) breathtaking altitude of 3,528 m (11,575 ft), Zoji La provides an important link between Ladakh and Kashmir in the Himalayas. With steep slopes, inclement weather and the occasional rush, crossing Zoji La requires steady hands and strong nerves.

12. Los Caracoles Pass, Chile

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Los Caracoles (Snail Pass), with its long switchbacks, is a nerve-wracking experience on the way from the Chilean capital Santiago to the Argentine city of Mendoza.

The steep switchbacks of Los Caracoles are covered in snow most of the year and require extreme patience and skill. However, this does not deter the many trucks and even double-decker tourist buses that ply the road daily.

13. Siduhe River Bridge, China

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Deep breaths. Siduhe is a 1,222 m long suspension bridge that crosses the Sidu River valley in China. Currently the highest bridge in the world, it hangs a breathtaking 488 m (1,600 ft) above the gorge floor. It is reported that the bridge is so wide that construction workers had to use a rocket to stretch the first pilot line across the gap. Gulp.

14. Lake Pontchartrain Dam, USA

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The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway consists of two parallel bridges that cross Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. The longer of the two bridges is an incredible 38.35 km long.

The worrying thing about the dam is that it is so long that after about 13 kilometers you completely lose sight of the land...

15. North Yungas Road, Bolivia

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Nicknamed the “Road of Death,” the Yungas perhaps lives up to its title as the most dangerous road in the world. In fact, it was reported in 2006 that the road causes 200 to 300 deaths annually. Most of the road is only 3.5m wide, meaning one wrong maneuver can (and does) send vehicles plummeting into the abyss.

Despite the unpaved sections, lack of guardrails, possible mudslides and rock falls, the road has become a top attraction for adventurous cyclists, at least 18 of whom have died on the road since 1998.

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