Driving the 3 tight hairpin turns on the W Road of Chattanooga
Usa, north-america
5.14 km
7 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the W Road in Hamilton County, Tennessee! This isn't just a drive; it's a mountain rollercoaster squeezed into 3.2 miles. Starting from East Brow Road and winding down to Mountain Creek Road, this fully paved path throws you into a series of switchbacks so intense, they actually resemble the letter "W."
Trust me, after the gentle start, it gets wild near the top. We're talking hairpin turns so tight, you might catch a glimpse of your own taillights! Built way back in 1892 (can you believe it?), this road has seen upgrades over the years, but its core design – those crazy turns – remains untouched.
This road demands your full attention. It’s steep, with gradients hitting a whopping 17.6% in places. Go too wide, and you're playing chicken with oncoming traffic; cut it too close, and your car's undercarriage might just kiss the asphalt. Many drivers find this road intimidating, and trucks longer than 22 feet are strictly forbidden. So, if you're cruising near Chattanooga, make sure your GPS isn't playing tricks on you – you don't want to end up stuck on this beast!
Where is it?
Driving the 3 tight hairpin turns on the W Road of Chattanooga is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.4358, -99.2870
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 5.14 km
- Max Elevation
- 7 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 38.4358, -99.2870
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Kings Hill Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, let me tell you about Kings Hill Pass! Nestled in the heart of Montana's Lewis and Clark National Forest, this beauty straddles a county line, clocking in at a cool 7,385 feet above sea level. Want more elevation? A side trip on a dirt road just west of the pass will get you up to 8,202 feet! The top boasts a huge parking area, plus a hotel and ski resort for those who want to linger. Don't miss the observation tower – the views of the surrounding national forest are unreal! The whole route is paved and known as the Kings Hill Scenic Byway. This 71.2-mile stretch winds north-south from White Sulphur Springs, carving its way through pristine lakes, streams, and the rugged Little Belt Mountains. Keep an eye out for wildlife – they love this place! Good news – Kings Hill Pass is generally open year-round. The caveat? Winter can be a bit dicey up there, so definitely check the road conditions before you head out.
moderateCrossing the international Sixaola-Guabito International Bridge
🌍 Costa Rica
Okay, picture this: you're standing at the border of Costa Rica and Panama, ready to cross into adventure. Forget boring border crossings! Here, you'll find the Sixaola-Guabito International Bridge, a seriously cool (and slightly creaky) old bridge. We're talking a 64-meter long, single-lane throwback with moving wooden planks underfoot! This former railroad bridge spans the Sixaola River, connecting Sixaola, Costa Rica with Guabito, Panama. A shiny new bridge handles the cars now, but this one? It's all about the pedestrian experience. Prepare for some amazing photo ops and a seriously unique border crossing!
extremeRoute 61 in Centralia is consumed by an underground fire since 1962
🇺🇸 Usa
# Pennsylvania Route 61: The Graffiti Highway Buried beneath the abandoned mining town of Centralia in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, sits one of America's most eerie road stories. A 1.18 km (0.73 mile) stretch of Route 61 has been literally consumed by an underground coal fire that's been burning since 1962. Nobody's entirely sure how it all started, but the most likely culprit was a landfill fire near an old strip mine that eventually reached an exposed coal vein. From there, the inferno spread like wildfire through the maze of coal mines underneath the town. Today, the blaze continues to rage at depths of up to 300 feet across an eight-mile stretch covering 3,700 acres—and at its current pace, it's got another 250+ years of burning left to do. When things got too dangerous, locals packed up and left in 1984, and Centralia transformed into a genuine modern ghost town. The original highway section got so badly damaged by subsidence (that's fancy speak for the ground literally sinking and cracking) that they had to reroute traffic via Byrnsville Road instead. What's left of the old road? A buckled, cracked strip of asphalt that's constantly sinking, with smoke regularly pouring from widening fissures in the ground. The "Graffiti Highway," as it's become known, has become a magnet for urban explorers and photographers drawn to its apocalyptic vibe. But here's the thing—this place is genuinely dangerous. We're talking unstable ground prone to sudden collapse, toxic gases venting from below, and minimal warning signs. A car won't protect you much if the road gives way beneath you. Seriously, this isn't an official tourist spot, and visiting isn't recommended. The risks aren't worth the Instagram shot.
hardDixie Butte
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so picture this: You're in Eastern Oregon, Grant County to be exact, deep in the heart of the Blue Mountains in the Malheur National Forest. You're itching for adventure and a view that'll knock your socks off. That's where Dixie Butte comes in, peaking at a cool 7,601 feet! Now, the road up – Forest Service Road 2610 – isn't exactly a cakewalk. Think one-lane gravel, and get ready for a bumpy, tippy ride. It’s narrow and steep, and pull-outs are scarce. Definitely not for the faint of heart! You’ll need 4x4, and some experience navigating unpaved mountain roads. This road is generally snowed in from October to June, so summer is your window. The views are worth it, though! At the summit, you'll find a fire lookout, usually staffed in the summer, and a couple of antennas keeping watch over the region. Perfect for experienced off-roaders seeking a thrill and incredible scenery.