Highways are not merely routes between points – occasionally, they’re experiences scripted in road and rock. As most everyone gets along with smooth highways and well-paved streets, some of the world’s most dramatic scenery offers white-knuckle rides that challenge nerves and driving ability. These mountain roads bring spine-tingling hairpin turns with vistas compelling enough to cause you to pull over and gawk, although pulled over might not always be the best place to be.
Up for a drive down some of the planet’s most breathtaking mountain roads? Hold tight and grip the wheel firmly – these rides are not for the timid.
Stelvio Pass, Italian Alps
This road looks like a toddler’s scribble brought to life in the Italian mountains, with 48 hairpin turns stacking up like a giant’s staircase. At 9,045 feet above sea level, the Stelvio Pass ranks as one of the highest paved roads in the Eastern Alps.
Driving here means navigating turns so tight they seem to fold back on themselves, all while sharing the road with cyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts who flock here for the ultimate alpine challenge. The road becomes extra tricky in early morning and late evening when the sun hits drivers’ eyes directly, making those barrier-free edges seem even more daunting.
Death Road, Bolivia
North Yungas Road earned its nickname ‘Death Road’ because it is as dangerous as it sounds. It drops 11,800 feet from La Paz to Coroico. The single-lane dirt track clings to the mountainside, with only crosses marking previous accidents to remind drivers of the 2,000-foot drops.
Local rules state that downhill drivers must yield by pulling to the outer edge—the side with the sheer drop. Fog and rain turn the road into a muddy mess, earning it the title ‘World’s Most Dangerous Road.’
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Tianmen Mountain Road, China
The ‘Heaven’s Gate Mountain Road’ features 99 heart-stopping bends snaking up to Tianmen Cave in Hunan Province. This 7-mile stretch of asphalt climbs 3,600 feet through lush mountain landscapes, each offering a new perspective on how high you’ve climbed.
The road’s perfectly engineered curves look almost too perfect to be real, like a giant playing with ribbons in the mountains. Despite modern engineering, dense fog often reduces visibility to mere feet, making those turns even more challenging.
Grimsel Pass, Swiss Alps
The Grimsel Pass transforms from a normal mountain road into a snow-covered challenge that tests even experienced drivers. Steep drops on both sides offer unmatched views of the Bernese Alps, while smooth granite walls rise like ancient castle fortifications.
The road connects the Hasli Valley with the Goms district, cutting through some of Switzerland’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Multiple hydroelectric lakes along the route create mirror-like surfaces that reflect the surrounding peaks, making drivers pause despite the road’s challenges.
Trollstigen, Norway
Trollstigen, meaning ‘Trolls Path,’ climbs through Norway’s wild mountain terrain like a stone serpent. The road features eleven sharp hairpin bends that defy gravity as they work their way up a near-vertical mountain face.
Natural stone barriers line the edge, while waterfalls thunder beside the road, sometimes spraying across the pavement. The viewing platform at the top lets survivors look back at the winding path they’ve just conquered.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Guoliang Tunnel Road, China
Local villagers carved The Guoliang Tunnel Road through the heart of China’s Taihang Mountains. Windows cut into the cliff face offer glimpses of the valley 300 feet below, making this one-lane tunnel both beautiful and terrifying.
The rough-hewn tunnel walls show the marks of hand tools used during construction, adding to the road’s raw character. Water seeping through the rock creates ice patches in winter, making the already challenging drive even more enjoyable.
Sani Pass, South Africa
The Sani Pass connects South Africa with Lesotho through some of the region’s most challenging terrain. The gravel road climbs nearly 3,000 feet in just five miles, with gradients that would make a mountain goat think twice.
Weather changes can transform the pass from challenging to impossible in minutes, and snow and ice are common at higher elevations. Only 4×4 vehicles are allowed on this route, and they sometimes struggle with loose surfaces and tight switchbacks.
Furka Pass, Switzerland
The Furka Pass earned fame in James Bond films, but its real-life drama exceeds any movie scene. The road threads through the Swiss Alps like a ribbon dropped by a giant, offering views of the Rhone Glacier.
Sharp turns and steep grades make this pass a test of both vehicle and driver, especially when summer tourism peaks. The weather can change from sunny to snowy in minutes, adding excitement to the journey.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Caucasus Military Road, Georgia
The Georgian Military Road slices through the Caucasus Mountains like a knife through the region’s history. Ancient watchtowers dot the landscape alongside Soviet-era monuments, while modern trucks lumber up impossible grades.
The road connects Georgia with Russia through the dramatic Dariali Gorge, where vertical walls rise thousands of feet on both sides. Avalanches and rockslides regularly remind drivers that nature still rules these mountains.
Kolyma Highway, Russia
The Kolyma Highway, nicknamed the ‘Road of Bones,’ stretches through Russia’s most remote mountain regions. Built during Stalin’s era, it experiences temperatures that drop to minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, creating ice fog that obscures everything.
In summer, the unpaved sections turn to mud, while permafrost creates sudden drops and bumps year-round. Despite its dark history, the road offers unparalleled views of Siberia’s untamed wilderness.
Karakoram Highway, Pakistan
The Karakoram Highway, which crosses Pakistan and China, reaches a height of 15,466 feet. It cuts through the world’s most concentrated collection of high peaks, offering views of glaciers and mountain faces that seem to touch the sky.
Landslides frequently reshape sections of the highway, keeping maintenance crews busy year-round. At the highest points, oxygen gets thin, affecting drivers and engines.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Los Caracoles Pass, Chile
Los Caracoles Pass connects Chile and Argentina through a series of switchbacks that look impossible from above. The road stays open year-round despite heavy snow, serving as a vital trade route between the two countries.
Large trucks navigate the turns in winter conditions that would shut down most mountain passes. The surrounding Andes Mountains create a backdrop that almost makes you forget about the road’s challenges.
Babusar Pass, Pakistan
The Babusar Pass rises through Pakistan’s Kaghan Valley like a stairway to the clouds. At 13,691 feet, it offers views of Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest mountain. The unpaved sections become treacherous during monsoon season when landslides are common.
Local buses tackle this route with surprising speed, though tourists might prefer a more cautious approach.
Zoji La Pass, India
Zoji La connects Kashmir Valley with Ladakh through some of India’s most challenging terrain. Despite drops of thousands of feet on the edge, the dirt road operates without guardrails.
Military convoys share the narrow path with civilian vehicles, adding to the excitement of the journey. The pass closes completely in winter when snow drifts can reach 50 feet.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Lysebotn Road, Norway
The Lysebotn Road descends from Norway’s mountains to its fjords through 27 hairpin turns. It begins with a 1.1-mile tunnel and three hairpin turns inside the mountain.
Each bend offers a new angle on the fjord below, though keeping your eyes on the road is strongly advised. The gradient reaches 10% at points, making both ascent and descent equally challenging.
Pamir Highway, Tajikistan
The Pamir Highway winds through Central Asia’s ‘Roof of the World’ at elevations that make breathing a conscious effort. Soviet-era engineering meets high-altitude challenges on this road that connects four countries through the mountains.
The surrounding landscape resembles Mars more than Earth, with red-tinted peaks stretching to the horizon. Altitude sickness affects many travelers, though the views almost make the discomfort worthwhile.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
Austria’s highest paved mountain pass offers 36 turns through the heart of the Alps. The road takes drivers past Alpine meadows and glacier views that seem straight from a postcard.
Every turn reveals new views of Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak. Modern engineering makes this one of the safer mountain roads, though the weather can still create challenging conditions.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Halsema Highway, Philippines
The Halsema Highway carves through the Cordillera Central mountains of Luzon like a roller coaster track. Fog regularly reduces visibility to near zero, while landslides reshape the road during the rainy season. Local buses navigate the narrow path quickly, often passing on blind curves. The surrounding rice terraces create a unique backdrop for this mountainous adventure.
Dadès Gorge Road, Morocco
Morocco’s Dadès Gorge Road features switchbacks so tight they almost loop back into themselves. The road threads between red rock cliffs that glow at sunset like they’re on fire.
Local drivers navigate the turns with one hand while gesturing about the view with the other. Ancient kasbahs watch over the road from rocky outcrops, adding human history to the natural drama.
Col du Tourmalet, France
The Tour de France’s most famous mountain pass challenges drivers as much as cyclists. The road climbs through the French Pyrenees with grades that make engines work as hard as bicycle legs.
Even in July, the weather can change from summer sun to winter snow on the same day. At the summit, a giant statue of a cycling legend reminds visitors of the road’s sporting heritage.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
The Mountain Legacy
These mountain roads are more than mere links between map points—they’re testaments to human will and engineering prowess. Every bend is filled with tales of laborers who cut these roads through some of the globe’s toughest landscapes and every vista rewards drivers for their fearlessness.
Contemporary GPS may make navigating easier, but these roads still command respect from anyone foolish enough to take on their challenges. The perspectives they provide are nature’s bonus to those who dare to drive off the familiarity of common routes, demonstrating that, on occasion, the riskiest roads open up to the most memorable places.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Towns Built for One Purpose That Were Later Abandoned
- 15 Hidden Spots in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Most Visitors Miss
- 20 Photos of the World’s Most Beautiful Glacial Lakes
- 15 Canyons in the U.S. That Are Just as Stunning as the Grand Canyon
- 10 Under-the-Radar Mountain Towns That Are Both Affordable and Beautiful
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.