Driving the dangerous Old Zigzag Road in Quezon
Philippines, asia
N/A
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Craving a wild ride between Northern Quezon and the southern Philippines? Buckle up (literally!) for the Atimonan Old Zigzag Road, also known as "Bitukan Manok" (Chicken Intestine) by locals, a name that hints at its twisty, turny nature. Some also call it EME.
Built back in '69 during the Marcos era, this road carves its way through Quezon National Park, offering some seriously lush scenery. Picture yourself climbing, climbing, climbing, surrounded by vibrant greenery as you gain altitude. The views are killer, but don't get too distracted!
This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. It's narrow, demanding your full attention to road signals and the occasional traffic cop. You might even need to pull over to let others pass. Rain turns the danger dial way up, making it slippery and treacherous. And if heights aren't your thing, maybe skip this one – a wrong move could send you tumbling off a cliff. Best to keep a clear head behind the wheel.
Traffic is usually light, but don't let that tempt you to speed! Slow and steady is the name of the game here, especially around those hairpin turns. Seriously, avoid this road like the plague in the rainy season. Four-wheeled vehicles only, folks – that's the rule to keep things as safe as possible.
Local legend says the road is haunted, which probably stems from its accident-prone past. If you're a confident rider, consider tackling it on two wheels for ultimate freedom to soak in the views and snap some photos. Just be extra cautious on those slick spots and make sure your tires have good grip.
If you are not up for an adventure and a bit of a thrill, there's now a New Diversion Road that's wider and less twisty, albeit about 10 minutes longer. These days, driving the Old Zigzag Road is more of a scenic detour than a necessity.
Where is it?
Driving the dangerous Old Zigzag Road in Quezon is located in Philippines (asia). Coordinates: 12.9073, 123.1330
Road Details
- Country
- Philippines
- Continent
- asia
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 12.9073, 123.1330
Related Roads in asia
moderateRoad trip guide: Conquering the Mengkete Ancient Road
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: Xinjiang Province, China. You're carving your way along the Mengkete Ancient Road, a route with a thousand years of history etched into its very surface. Forget your sedan, you absolutely NEED a 4x4 for this adventure! We're talking about a 70km (43-mile) stretch of mostly unpaved road snaking through the eastern edge of the Borokonu Mountains. You'll find it within the Tangbula National Forest Park, following the Kuitun River upstream. The views? Next level. Think dense forests giving way to wide-open grasslands, glimpses of glistening glaciers, and maybe even a sneaky peek at some hot springs. Seriously, the scenery is out of this world. Your destination is Menketing Daban, a mountain pass topping out at 3,528m (11,574ft). The name? In Mongolian, it translates to "the snow peak that never melts," and trust me, it lives up to the name. Expect snow, and lots of it - so much that the road is usually closed from October to June. Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife too; snow leopards have been spotted roaming this area! The adventure begins east of Zhongfengfanzhichang, where the ancient road branches from the smooth S315.
hardNyalu Lagna Pass
🇳🇵 Nepal
Alright thrill-seekers, buckle up for Nyalu Lagna Pass in the Karnali Province of northwestern Nepal! This beast clocks in at a whopping 4,995 meters (16,387 feet), making it one of Nepal's highest roads. The road? Let's just say it's an *experience*. Think rocky, think gravel, think STEEP. We're talking loose stones and gradients that can hit 30% in places – not for the faint of heart! You’ve only got a small window to tackle this one – roughly mid-April to mid-November. Be prepared for some serious wind – it whips through these mountains year-round. And even in summer, don’t be surprised by a rogue snow flurry. Winter? Forget about it, unless you’re into brutally cold conditions. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. It's a ski-station service road, but that's just a bonus on top of some spectacular views. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road... mostly.
hardWhere is Ikizyak Pass?
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Alright, fellow adventurers, buckle up for the Ikizyak Pass! This beauty sits high up in southwestern Xinjiang, China, clocking in at over [elevation] above sea level. Now, don't let the gorgeous scenery fool you, this 6.8-kilometer stretch is no Sunday drive. We're talking countless turns, narrow squeezes, and some seriously steep climbs, with an average gradient of 5.64%. You'll need your A-game (and probably a 4x4) to conquer this one, with potentially impassable conditions in winter. But hey, the views are totally worth it, right?
moderateHongshi Highway is an Internet celebrity of Yunnan
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up road trippers, because the Hongshi Highway in southern Yunnan, China, is calling your name! This isn't just a drive; it's an *experience* carved into the mountains of Shiping County. Officially the G5615 (or Shihong Expressway), this fully paved wonder connects the Jishi and Yuyuan Expressways with 54.8 kilometers (34.05 miles) of pure adrenaline. Opened in late 2015, it's a wild ride boasting steep slopes, crazy elevation changes, and terrain that keeps you on your toes. Seriously, this road wasn't built for the faint of heart! Expect a ton of engineering marvels, towering slopes, and a landscape that throws everything it has at you. While the road might be challenging to build and travel, the views and the improvement it’s brought to the local economy makes the investment well worth it. Get ready for unforgettable scenery and a serious test of your driving skills.