Heckman Pass: gradients of 18%, no guardrails and sheer drop-offs

Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk Heckman Pass! This epic mountain route sits way up high in west-central British Columbia, Canada, clocking in at 5,000 feet above sea level.

You'll find this beauty on Highway 20, also known as Bella Coola Road or Chilcotin Bella Coola Highway, west of Anahim Lake. It marks the spot where the Chilcotin Plateau and the Bella Coola Valley call it quits.

Locals affectionately call it "The Hill," and it's a 47-mile stretch from Stuie in the Bella Coola Valley to Anahim Lake. Budget about an hour to soak it all in. Highway 20 tops out here, making it the highest point on the whole route.

Picture this: the Rainbow Range as your backdrop as you cruise a road carved out back in '53 by sheer grit and determination. They called it "Freedom Road" back then, and the name still sticks!

Now, here’s where it gets spicy. Expect a narrow, winding path with a heart-pounding 6-mile section of steep switchbacks. We're talking up to 18% grades and 11 hairpin turns! You'll be hugging a cliff face with just a tiny wall between you and a major drop to the valley floor. No guardrails here, folks! While most cars can handle it, it's a true white-knuckle gravel road. Some tourists have even refused to drive back down! Locals drive it with respect, knowing that too much brake can send you sliding. And pro tip: winter tires or chains are a must between October and April in this part of British Columbia.