
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
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