Challenging Roads

ROUTES AND ROADS

We travelled many challenging roads as seen on the national geographic channel and other commercial channels called “The world most dangerous roads” and more. The old Yungas Road also called the dead road in Bolivia is one of them. Our experience has been a lot different to what you see in the TV programs. For us the biggest problem was the speed of which trucks and locals drive those roads with no fear and expecting you to stop. For us the biggest issues were overhanging rocks.

Imagine driving down a scenic road in some exotic country, when around the bend the railing disappears, and a truck is facing you head on?!?! That is what makes the roads so dangerous. Next the road narrows to practically a wheel track, and 1000 meters below you are truck or bus remains after they went over the edge. The biggest issues you will face are rotten bridges, potholes, maniac drivers, deep ravines and no guard railings, bog holes & muddy tracks.

For us the most interesting roads were in India and Pakistan.

PAKISTAN

Fairy Meadows Road, you will reach this road from the Karakoram highway when turning off to the village of Tato despite being only around 20KM it is rough and narrow (to narrow for our truck) and it resulted in a 3km reversing with no guard rails and a 1000 meter drop.

India,

The road Connecting the towns of Srinagar and Leh in the western Himalayan mountain range crosses the Zoji Pass it was build in 1947 by soldiers. Landslides, snow slippery conditions make it a challenge to drive with drops of over 1000 meters resulting in many deaths due to poor driving skills

The road from Killar to Pangi, if you like mountain driving this is a must do it is rocky, lots of overhangs and at one stage to narrow for our truck hence it was for us reversing. I am told upgrades have been made since our visit which was required as the road looked very unstable to us.

Many roads listed and presented in the various National Geographic documentaries are not that dangerous to drive. The roads are of poor quality hence avalanches, landslides and flooding are a major issues (At high altitudes snow)

Some other interesting roads are.

Karnali Highway (Nepal)

Van zijls Pass (Namibia)

Sani Pass (South Africa) however we are told since our last visit in 2011 the road has been widened and is in the process of being paved?

BOLIVIA, The North Yungas road, (Death Road)

The North Yungas road, (Death Road) we are told up to 300 people a year were dying on this road? Poor driving skills are the main reason. However the Yungas road can now be by passed and is in the process of being upgraded. The (new) Death Road is now something from the past, but with over 200 turns it is an amazing road to drive but definitely no longer a dangerous road.

Karakorum highway (Pakistan) also this road now has been upgraded and when we travelled the Karakorum from the Tibet Border until Gilgit all was perfect new paved road.