10 of the world’s craziest road routes and passes Posted on 28 April 2020 Some of the world’s most astonishing winding roads and passes are incredible feats of engineering, while others seem to be just straight-up crazy. From sharp hairpin bends at soaring altitudes to more dangerous-looking roadways on the precipice of tall cliff faces, from the right angle, they can inspire as much awe as they do fear. Take a look at these ‘crazy roads’ from around the world: 1. Mã Pí Lèng Pass, Vietnam This mountain pass in northern Vietnam connects the towns of Đồng Văn and Mèo Vạc. The views from above include lush green valleys, rivers and misty mountainscapes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guillaume Methot (@gui_vagabond) on Mar 13, 2020 at 3:59am PDT 2. Serra da Leba Pass, Angola Angola’s tourism industry is still emerging after years of civil conflict ravaged the country, but this mountain pass in the Serra da Leba mountains, near the town of Lubango, is sure to be included on future bucket lists as an epic mountain pass to tackle. Some folks have even dared to cycle up. Perhaps that’s one way to conquer those hairpin bends. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Evan Naude (@evannaude) on Jan 3, 2020 at 12:10am PST 3. Grimsel Pass, Switzerland The Grimsel Pass crosses the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. It’s connected to the Furka Pass, which also includes winding bends and naturally, some incredible alpine views. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Puertos y bicis (@bike.puertos) on Apr 15, 2020 at 6:40am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laeti🌻***🇨🇭bohemian since 2009 (@entreicietla) on Oct 3, 2018 at 7:11am PDT 4. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway If you can believe it, this terrifying but masterfully crafted road was constructed in 1989. The road is quite exposed and can be wet when the weather isn’t sunny and the ocean is choppy, sending waves and sea spray to splash up in front of cars or against them. The bridge is just over eight kilometres long, connecting two Norwegian towns across an archipelago. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Norge i bilder (@norgebilder.no) on Jul 24, 2019 at 11:17pm PDT This video gives you a better idea of how crazy it can get on this road: <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> 5. Sani Pass, South Africa & Lesotho This gravel pass is a popular 4×4 challenge, and connects the Underberg in KZN with Mokhotlong in Lesotho. The best time to go is during the summer, when you’ll be able to take in the undulating hills and valleys from over 2,800 metres above sea level. View this post on Instagram If you have a sense of adventure and a 4×4, there’s no better entry point into Lesotho than the stunning Sani Pass. This pass climbs a total of 1332 m over 9km and some say it’s the mother of all South African mountain passes. If you call yourself an off-roader, you need to tick it off your bucket list! A post shared by Evan Naude (@evannaude) on Jan 30, 2020 at 10:32pm PST 6. Los Caracoles Pass, Chile Up in the Andes, this crazy, serpentine mountain pass connects Chile’s capital to Argentina. From about 800 metres, you descend to a lofty 3,200 metres. Los Caracoles or ‘The Snails’ has no roadside safety barriers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mê Knopp (@melina_knopp) on Jan 3, 2020 at 7:54am PST 7. Taroko Gorge Road, Taiwan This road in Taroko Gorge National Park is extremely narrow, but the views are very rewarding. With the passage of time, the Liwu River running through the park has carved a gorge into the marble. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Renato Pavlekovic (@renato.pavlekovic) on Apr 19, 2020 at 1:54pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lucine • 21 • Taipei (@lucinemgr) on Apr 23, 2020 at 8:05am PDT 8. Trollstigen, Norway You may have already seen this popular mountain road which leads to the tourist village of Geiranger in Norway. This scenic 55-kilometre route takes about two hours to drive. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Scandinavia lovers (@scandinavia.lovers) on Jan 23, 2020 at 1:17pm PST View this post on Instagram Who’d you bring to Trollstigen, @Geirangerfjorden ? 😍🇳🇴🙌🏼 Norway, #Trollstigen | 📷 @varvik . . . Please follow @dreamchasersnorway 😍🙏🏼 . . #dreamchasersnorway #earth #traveladdict #travelblog #traveller #travelphoto #travelgram #travelholic #travelstoke #travelphotography #travelmore #lensbible #shotzdelight #norway #norge #mittnorge #visitnorway #nature #natureonly #naturelovers #naturephotography #turistforeningen A post shared by Norge i bilder (@norgebilder.no) on Jan 4, 2020 at 11:39pm PST 9. Gamkaskloof/Die Hel, Karoo Also known as Elands Pass, this 37-kilometre road is sure to satisfy your dreams of rugged adventure. The pass is a sho’t left off another must-do drive, the 24-kilometre Swartberg Pass, a masterpiece by South African road engineer Thomas Bain. Also read: The art of road tripping View this post on Instagram A post shared by South Africa | Tourism (@janikalheit) on Jul 4, 2018 at 12:04am PDT View this post on Instagram We’ll I’m standing by a river but the water doesn’t flow It boils with every poison you can think of. Then I’m underneath the streetlights But the light of joy I know Scared beyond belief way down in the shadows. And the perverted fear of violence chokes a smile on every face And common sense is ringing out the bells. This ain’t no technological breakdown Oh no, this is the road to hell. (C.Rea) #diehel #gamkaskloof #tothehard #adventure #4×4 #defender90 A post shared by aidan (@aidanbennetts) on Jul 23, 2019 at 8:25pm PDT 10. Guoliang Tunnel, China This incredibly narrow tunnel in China’s Henan Province was carved out of the Taihang Mountains by a small group of local villagers. The locals completed this 1,2-kilometre tunnel in five years using only hammers and chisels. View this post on Instagram The mountain road carved out from quartz rocks leading to guoliang village#guoliangtunnel #guiliangvillage#wanxianshan #taihangmountains #chinascape#chinalandscapes#henan#shanxiprovince A post shared by eldredo (@eldredoo) on Sep 20, 2019 at 8:31am PDT View this post on Instagram Guoliang tunnel in the red cliffs of Taihang mountain, Henan. #China #hikingchina #raw_china #guoliangcun #henan #beautifulchina #discoverchina #guoliangtunnel #guoliangtunnelroad #taihang #taihangmountains #cliffs #mountainroads #mountaintrip #cliffside #heights #red #gorge #chinatrip #chinatrips #tripschina A post shared by Marvelling at #China (@elke_christmann) on Aug 1, 2019 at 2:11pm PDT Image: Anton Crone Related Posts The 5 best climbing spots in South Africa 10 April 2023 Mozambique – a coastal, self-drive holiday 23 October 2022 Catherine Hofmeyr shares what's new (and what's still hot) on a coastal self-drive holiday from... read more Get ready for high voltage action at Killarney’s Power Series 6 21 July 2022 As we accelerate into the second half of the season, Power Series racing presented by... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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