Scenic Roads You Shouldn't Drive—But People Still Do

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

Bolivia's Yungas Road, popularly known as the Death Road, is a 64-kilometre (40 mi) long cycle route linking the city of La Paz with the Yungas region of Bolivia. Several sections of the road are less than 3 metres (9.8 ft) wide, and due to presence of rain, fog, landslides, cascades, steep slopes and cliffs that drop more than 610 meters or 2000 feet, it is largely considered the most dangerous road in the world.

It was famous for its dangerous conditions and deaths from traffic accidents, averaging around 209 accidents and 96 deaths per year. But here's the twist: Known for its extreme danger with 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) of descent, the Death Road draws about 25,000 tourists per year and has become a popular destination for adventure tourism, particularly mountain biking.

The irony isn't lost on anyone—a road so deadly it got its own nickname now attracts thrill-seekers like moths to a flame.

When the Ocean Swallows Your Route

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

Passage du Gois is a natural passage flooded twice a day by the high tide leading to the island of Noirmoutier in France. The treacherous causeway is only accessible with low tide and then only 1 ½ hours before the lowest tide and 1 ½ hour afterward.

At high tide, this road lies under 1.30 meters to 4 meters of water. What makes this particularly nerve-wracking is that you have to dodge slippery seaweed after the floods subside.

Imagine explaining to your insurance company that you got stuck because you forgot to check the tide schedule. In 2017, 37 cars were trapped by the tide and had to be rescued by local emergency services.

The Atlantic Road That Fights Back

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

In the picturesque landscapes of Norway, the Atlantic Road winds its way through the Norwegian Sea, connecting several islands. This scenic route, with its eight bridges, including the famous Storseisundet Bridge, provides stunning coastal views and exhilarating driving experiences.

But nature doesn't make it easy. However, the Atlantic Road is also exposed to the full force of the elements, enduring solid winds, pounding waves, and ferocious storms.

Drivers must navigate sharp curves and unpredictable weather conditions, making it a thrilling yet tricky journey. The curvy road dips and arches over the brutal waves of the Norwegian Sea that often crash over the pavement during storms.

It's like driving through a washing machine with a view.

The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

High in the Himalayas, the Zoji La Pass is a lifeline between Srinagar and Leh in India. The mountain pass sits 11,575 feet above sea level and is typically blanketed in snow and ice, making the terrain slippery and dangerous for much of the year.

It poses the additional threat of avalanches and fierce winds that can turn an otherwise picturesque journey into a fight for survival. What's particularly unnerving is that this isn't just a scenic route—it's often the only way to get supplies to remote communities.

People don't drive it for the Instagram photos; they drive it because they have to.

America's Own Death Trap Highway

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

SR-138, also known as the Pearblossom Highway, carries travelers on I-15 and I-5 to Palmdale and Lancaster. Police and locals refer to the highway as "Death Road." This highway has tight curves and steep roads that result in about ten fatal accidents every year, making it one of the most dangerous roads in California.

The Sierra Highway includes parts of SR-14, US-395, and SR-89. It connects Los Angeles to South Lake Tahoe.

This highway has the state's highest number of crashes per mile along the section that runs through the Santa Clarita Valley. These aren't remote mountain paths—they're major highways that thousands of people drive daily for work and travel.

The French Cliffhanger Road

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

Built between 1844 and 1851, Les Grands Goulets is a legendary road located in the Drôme department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The road was closed to vehicles and pedestrians in 2005, with vertigo guaranteed.

But that hasn't stopped people from trying to access it. Col de Turini is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,610m (5,282ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

It's one of the most scenic drives in the world. Helter-skelter corners and changeable weather conditions mean this road is far from safe.

The French seem to have a talent for creating roads that are both breathtakingly beautiful and absolutely terrifying.

New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

Tucked away on the southwest of New Zealand's South Island, Skippers Canyon Road is now one of New Zealand's better-known scenic roads and is unbelievably scary, being extremely narrow and difficult to maneuver. It's a road so dangerous that your rental car insurance won't be honored if you drive on it.

When your insurance company specifically excludes a road from coverage, you know you're in for trouble. Oh-My-God Road is a very exciting drive located on the boundary between Clear Creek and Gilpin counties, in the U.S.

state of Colorado. With room enough for barely two cars to pass slowly, this road will surely feel a little dangerous to you.

The Tunnel That Kills During Construction

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

The Guoliang Tunnel Road is located in the Taihang Mountains. It was dangerous before it was even completed, as villagers died during construction of the 13-foot-wide tunnel.

Eventually the tunnel was open to all traffic and accidents such as fender benders became increasingly common. This road literally cost lives before anyone even got to drive on it, yet it remains open to traffic.

The Pakistani Death Trap

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

Fairy Meadows Road is a spectacular and perilous high mountain track located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The D915 is one of the world's most challenging roads.

Located between the Black Sea and the Northeast Anatolia regions of Turkey, it is known for its dangerous terrain. Only experienced drivers should attempt this route, as any mistake can have serious consequences.

These roads don't just require good driving skills—they demand nerves of steel and a healthy respect for mortality.

The Wildlife Comeback Story

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

Here's something unexpected: However, since the construction of a safer road in 2007, traffic has dropped 90% and wildlife has crept in, according to a new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) published in the journal Ecología en Bolivia. "The data recorded in this study confirms this trend, showing that wildlife has returned to the area, due to the reduction in vehicle traffic and the presence of humans," Ayala said.

Sometimes the best thing for a dangerous road is to stop using it entirely.

Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps

The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

Driving on the world's most dangerous roads can offer an adrenaline rush. Achieving stunning views, a sense of fulfilment, and exciting tales to tell can be immensely satisfying.

Death Road Bolivia attracts about 25 000 tourists per year that travel from all over the world to experience the rush of downhill mountain biking, while soaking up the stunning views, and connecting more with themselves through this somewhat "crazy" expedition. It's the same reason people bungee jump or climb mountains—because it's there, and because surviving it makes you feel alive.

Despite these statistics, the 64km downhill bike ride has been a draw card for thrill seekers and avid mountain-bikers since the 1990s. The truth is, most of these roads exist because they serve a purpose—connecting communities, providing access to remote areas, or offering the only route through challenging terrain.

But as technology advances and safer alternatives are built, some of these death traps are becoming obsolete. The modernization included enlarging the carriageway from one to two lanes; asphalt paving; bridges, drainage, guardrails, and the building of a new section between Chusquipata and Yolosa, bypassing the most dangerous sections of the original road.

As the result, North Yungas Road is now mainly used for bicycles, motorcycles, and walking. The next time you're complaining about construction delays on your morning commute, remember these roads exist.

Sure, your highway might be boring, but at least you're not checking tide tables or avalanche warnings before leaving the house. Sometimes the scenic route really isn't worth it—but apparently, that's never stopped anyone from trying.

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The Death Road That Became a Tourist Trap, When the Ocean Swallows Your Route, The Atlantic Road That Fights Back, The Mountain Pass That's Basically Russian Roulette, America's Own Death Trap Highway, The French Cliffhanger Road, New Zealand's Insurance Nightmare, The Tunnel That Kills During Construction, The Pakistani Death Trap, The Wildlife Comeback Story, Why People Keep Driving These Death Traps, Get more from Travelbucketlist!

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