Qiyut
Arabian Peninsula, asia
22 km
2 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Oman, right? Specifically, Ad Dākhilīyah. You're heading to Qiyut, a super cool little town perched way up high—we're talking almost 2,000 meters!
Now, getting there? That's where the fun REALLY begins. Forget smooth highways, because the road is a wild, winding, and rocky 22km track that climbs from just a few hundred meters above sea level. Prepare for some steep climbs and hairpin turns. But hey, the views? Totally worth it. Just keep your eyes on the road — it's a bit of an adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Arabian Peninsula
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 22 km
- Max Elevation
- 2 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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extremeCan you drive to Manang?
🇳🇵 Nepal
Manang is a small mountain town at an elevation of 3,776m (12,388ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Lamjung and Manang districts of Gandaki Province, in Nepal. Can you drive to Manang? Set high on the north of the Annapurna mountain range, the road to Manang is mostly unpaved. A lot of websites list the most dangerous roads in the world. Not a single one of them mentions the road to Manang, a narrow ledge chiselled into the side of a cliff, that needs a brave driver (and passenger) to ride it . The road has been widened for 4x4 vehicles with some concrete sections. The combination of steep uphill rocky terrain and lack of oxygen is dangerous for engines. How long is the road to Manang? The road is 99 km (61 miles) long, running from Besishahar (in Lamjung District in Gandaki Zone, at an elevation of 710m above sea level) to Manang (in the Manang District) at 3,776masl. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 3,066m, and the average gradient is 3.2%, with some sections up to 10%. The road is carved into the hill on the western side of the river, rising through breathtaking scenery with a river raging below. The most challenging part of the road runs along the Marsyangdí river. Due to a lack of proper drainage of water, the road conditions are extreme after heavy rains. Another amazing feature of the road and surroundings is many amazing waterfalls that fall over the road with the water crossing it. Try to avoid the rainy season. Is the road to Manang dangerous? The track is known as Annapurna Circuit. The drive runs along the edge of a cliff over a rocky road strewn with big round pebble stones. It takes a certain level of skill and concentration to stay on the ground and not go airborne. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides. At some points, the road is carved into a vertical cliff with drops of some 500 meters vertical down to the river. The road itself is not more than two to three meters wide. Only the suicidal, the insane, or the paid-to-do-this should ever drive down. One mistake, and it's a free fall to your death. Pic: http://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/Manang-will-prosper-from-its-new-road,2749 Driving the amazing BP Highway in Nepal Driving the road to Supa Deurali Temple is not a piece of cake 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.
extremeThe wild road to the blue fire of Kawah Ijen
🌍 Indonesia
Nestled between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso in East Java, Indonesia, Mount Ijen is home to the stunning turquoise crater lake, Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater). The adventure to this incredibly acidic lake, famed for its sulfur deposits, starts above the Ijen Plateau. The 3.2 km (2 mile) unpaved road begins at Pos Perijinan Kawah Ijen, the starting point before you ascend. It's a bumpy ride to the trailhead, followed by a 1.5-hour hike, including some pretty steep sections. Once you reach the crater rim, you'll likely see miners carrying heavy baskets of sulfur. The lake itself is a reservoir of sulfur, where it's mined daily. Watch out for the miners carrying incredible loads (75-90 kg!) up the trail. This sulfur mining has been going on since 1968. The acid lake here is the world's largest! This volcano is famous for its electric blue fire, acidic crater lake, and the grueling sulfur mining. This sulfur, nicknamed "Devil's Gold," gets its name from its yellow color and the dangerous conditions. The water is so acidic it can dissolve flesh, clothes, even metal! Seriously, within 15 seconds, it can start to decompose human skin. Swimming? Definitely not recommended. You can descend into the crater, but be quick and at your own risk. Masks are crucial to avoid inhaling those toxic fumes. It's incredibly hot, smells awful, and the air is terrible, making a long stay pretty much impossible. Don't touch anything, and definitely don't touch your face. In 2018, the crater was closed for months because of toxic gas emissions, evacuating hundreds of locals. The road is super narrow and incredibly steep, making a 4x4 absolutely necessary. No private vehicles are allowed. In recent years, Kawah Ijen has become a popular tourist spot. One of the big draws is the "blue fire," one of the only places on Earth you can see this phenomenon. When sulfuric gases meet high temperatures, the sulfur ignites, creating blue flames. You can only see these flames at night, though they burn 24/7. Temperatures can reach a scorching 600˚C (1112°F), but the blue flames are only visible at night. Sulfur ignites at 360˚C (680°F), but a chemical reaction causes the blue hue, not the temperature.
hardA paved road to Shakhristan Pass
🌍 Uzbekistan2
Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk about the Shakhristan Pass in Tajikistan! There are actually *two* ways to experience this beauty. First, you've got the smooth, paved M34 highway that crests at a respectable 2,751m (9,025ft). This road isn't a walk in the park; expect some nail-biting sections with hairpin turns, narrow stretches, and those "don't look down" drop-offs that get your adrenaline pumping. Keep an eye on the weather, as this area can be prone to fog, rain, and winter snow, sometimes causing temporary closures. But wait, there's more! For the truly adventurous, the *original* Shakhristan Pass awaits. Before the M34, a rugged gravel track climbed to a staggering 3,382m (11,095ft) right on the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border. This old road is still kicking, but you'll absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle it. We're talking steep climbs (maxing out at 10% grade!) and incredible views. The climb starts from the paved M34 and stretches for 9km (5.59 miles), gaining 640 meters in elevation. Be warned, this route is typically snowed in from late October until late June or early July, so plan your trip accordingly.
hardUltimate 4wd destination: Lokomotiv Peak
🌍 Kazakhstan
Hey, adventure junkies! Let me tell you about Pik Lokomotiv, a seriously epic mountain peak nestled in the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a gravel road that climbs all the way up to 3,397 meters (that's over 11,000 feet!) in the Zailisky Alatau range. Fair warning: this road is usually snowed in from late September until almost July, so plan accordingly! The adventure kicks off near the Shymbulak Ski Resort (the biggest in Central Asia, BTW), up in the Medeu Valley. From there, it's a wild 8.6 km (5.34 miles) climb with an elevation gain of 1,110 meters. Brace yourself for some crazy steep sections – we're talking gradients of up to 16%! The average? A hefty 12.9%. They call the top Pereval Ak-Kiya, and trust me, you'll need some serious courage to make it. But the views? Absolutely worth it!