
Kelok Sembilan: 9 curves-climb
Indonesia, asia
2.7 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip fans, listen up! You HAVE to check out Kelok 9 in West Sumatra, Indonesia! This road connects the central and eastern parts of the island, and the views are seriously stunning.
Also known as Kelok Sembilan, this 2.7 km stretch of road near Payakumbuh is a wild ride. Built way back in the early 1900s, it used to be famous (or maybe infamous?) for its nine super steep curves that caused crazy traffic jams. Luckily, six new bridges were built in 2013, making the drive smoother and even more scenic.
"Kelok" means "curve," and trust me, you'll feel every single one of those nine bends! If you're looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush, this is the place. Plus, you're driving through lush nature reserves with green hills on either side, making the journey even more incredible. This road is a true testament to Indonesia's road-building skills, and with tons of awesome photo spots, it's become a major tourist attraction.
Where is it?
Kelok Sembilan: 9 curves-climb is located in Indonesia (asia). Coordinates: -0.4387, 112.6923
Road Details
- Country
- Indonesia
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 2.7 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -0.4387, 112.6923
Related Roads in asia
moderateSiyah Kamar Summit: Unveiling Iran's Mountain Road in Alborz
🇮🇷 Iran
Okay, adventurers, listen up! I've got a spot for you that'll blow your mind: Siyah Kamar in Iran's Alborz province! Imagine this: you're cruising along a rugged, unpaved road, twisting and turning through the Central Alborz mountains. Most cars can handle it, so don't stress too much! This isn't just any drive; you're climbing to a whopping 3,335 meters (that's over 10,900 feet!). The views are unreal, and at the top, you'll find some seriously cool, abandoned buildings just begging to be explored. Located near Kandovan Pass in northwestern Iran, this 4.7 km (almost 3 miles) route packs a punch, climbing 333 meters with a gradient around 7%. But be warned: Old Man Winter shuts this beauty down from late October until late June/early July, depending on the snowfall. So plan your trip accordingly! Trust me, this is one Iranian adventure you won't want to miss.
hardVardenis ridge
🌍 Armenia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You absolutely HAVE to experience Vardenis Ridge in Armenia's Vayots Dzor province. This beast of a road clocks in at a whopping 9,973 feet (3,040m) above sea level, making it one of Armenia's highest drives. Now, hold on tight because the road to the top is not for the faint of heart. We're talking gravel, rocks, bumps, and tilts – the whole shebang. You'll definitely need a 4x4 for this one. Heads up – you’ll likely find it impassable between October and June, depending on the snow. Get ready for a steep climb with some seriously tight hairpin turns. But trust me, the views are SO worth it. You'll be treated to mind-blowing panoramas of the Armenian landscape that will have you reaching for your camera every two seconds! Just remember to take it slow, stay safe, and soak in every moment of this epic ride.
extremeWhere is the Anzob tunnel of death?
🌍 Tajikistan
Located in the Sughd Region of Tajikistan, Anzob Tunnel is said to be the most dangerous tunnel in the world. Nicknamed the Tunnel of Fear and the Tunnel of Death by locals, it lacks proper lighting and ventilation, and breathing is hard and painful due to the thick mixture of exhaust gases. Where is the Anzob tunnel of death? The tunnel is located in the northwestern part of the country. It was built to bypass the infamous and keep the road open year-round. The tunnel through the tunnel is the infamous , the main road between Duschanbe, the capital of the country, and Khujand, the country's second-largest city. How long is the Anzob tunnel? The tunnel is 5,040 m (3.13 mi) long at an elevation of 2,700 meters above sea level. The tunnel is dark and dangerous with hardly any lights inside, and it’s suffocating as there’s no ventilation bar one fan. Why is the Anzob tunnel called the tunnel of death? Locals have shared stories of a number of people dying inside it due to traffic jams that leave people trapped, where they succumbed to carbon monoxide. The poisonous air in the tunnel is barely shifted by one solitary fan somewhere in the middle of the tunnel, which gives some, but not sufficient, movement to the air. How is the Anzob tunnel? The tunnel floor is a maze of deep, seriously deep, potholes hidden under a constant stream of water; the tunnel is strewn with abandoned construction machines and filled with the noxious black smoke of clapped-out lorries. It can be a disturbing experience: no lights, ventilation, or road markings, and it is liable to flooding. It's long, dark, and really dusty, and if you are claustrophobic, just be prepared to be uncomfortable. Even in good weather conditions, the tunnel is flooded, turning the giant potholes in the unfinished road into invisible death traps. Unmarked drainage channels waiting to swamp your bike. The tunnel lacks proper lighting and ventilation, and breathing is hard and painful due to the thick mixture of exhaust gases. Most drivers go as fast as they can, as in any other Central Asian country. Avoid the potholes, particularly in the winter time here. Your whole SUV can submerge if you drive in the wrong place. There are no road markings, so driving on the left or the right are optional, with the middle being the common choice. When was Anzob Tunnel opened? The tunnel was officially opened in March 2006 and supports heavy traffic. It’s also known as Istiqlol tunnel or Ushtur Tunnel. There are no traffic lights to regulate traffic through this section, nor is there an ordered tidal flow of traffic being allowed to enter the tunnel; instead, anarchy prevails in the darkness. Expect huge, axle-snapping potholes threatening to swallow up the car, along with flooding that almost turns them into tunnel ponds. Halfway along the tunnel, water floods the road as a result of an engineering fault. Oncoming cars and trucks emerge in the darkness with headlights flashing for the other drivers to get out of their way. How’s Anzob Tunnel today? In 2018, the tunnel was improved (adding drainage and repairing potholes), and for the most part, it is lit now, with a more or less decent asphalt surface. But it needs much more improvement to be done. How to Survive and Drive through the Dangerous Anzob Pass in Tajikistan Pamir Highway is the second highest altitude international highway in the world Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeDriving to Rib La: The remote mountain pass to China’s smallest township
🇨🇳 China
Rib La is an absolutely insane high-mountain pass topping out at 4,760m (15,616ft) in southeastern Tibet. Seriously, this is one for the bucket list. It's THE vital link to one of the most isolated spots on the planet! The road snakes for 30.9 km (19.2 miles) from Legaduo in the Tsari Valley up to the tiny village of Yumai. You might've heard of it—it's known as China’s smallest township. For ages, this pass was the ONLY way in or out. Prepare for a white-knuckle ride! The road to the summit is ridiculously steep and narrow. You absolutely need a 4x4 and laser focus. Get ready for 16 hairpin turns, and hold your breath because there are some serious, unprotected cliff edges. Newbies, beware—this route demands experience and nerves of steel. Up at 4,760 meters, winter is no joke. Snow makes the surface incredibly slippery and treacherous. This pass used to be completely snowed in for up to six months a year! Even now, winter can be rough and unpredictable. Let's be real: this is one of the most thrilling, but also dangerous, roads in southeastern Tibet. Between the altitude, the narrow gravel tracks, and the risk of avalanches or landslides, it's a high-stakes adventure. The scenery is mind-blowing, but keep your eyes on the road unless you want to end up tumbling down a steep embankment. Beyond the views, Rib La is a crucial route in a sensitive border area. Recent upgrades aim to keep Yumai connected year-round. This remains a wild and raw mountain experience that shows off the extreme side of the Himalayas.