
Where is Wadi an Nakhur?
Arabian Peninsula, asia
7 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Wadi an Nakhur, a seriously epic canyon hidden away in northeastern Oman! Word on the street is, it's the deepest canyon in the whole Middle East. You might also hear it called Wadi Ghul – just a heads-up.
To get there, head north of Al Hamra town and keep an eye out for a right turn near modern Ghul village. That's where the fun *really* begins. Kiss pavement goodbye, because this road is all dirt, all the time. And not the smooth kind, either. Think loose gravel, especially near the edges, so pay attention! After about 7 km of bouncing along, you'll reach the charming village of An Nakhur, nestled right in the heart of it all.
Now, a word of warning: you absolutely NEED a 4x4 with high clearance for this trip. Seriously. The wadi floor is all loose gravel, which is a recipe for disaster in a regular car. Expect a bumpy, rough ride, but trust me, the views are SO worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Arabian Peninsula
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 7 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in asia
hardAizhai Winding Road: You'll Feel Like You Are Driving in the Sky
🇨🇳 China
Get ready for an epic drive on the Aizhai Winding Road in Hunan province, China! This isn't just a road; it's an experience that will leave you breathless. Think hairpin bends, stunning views, and a touch of adrenaline! Located west of Chongqing, this reconstructed, paved road climbs steeply from Aizhai township up towards the incredible Aizhai Bridge. We're talking about 13 hairpin turns that will test your driving skills and reward you with some seriously amazing scenery. About three-quarters of the way up, you'll spot an old stone bridge adding a touch of history to the dramatic landscape. At the summit, a monument honors those who built this road. Aizhai Panshan Highway, part of National Highway 319, is only about 6 kilometers long, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in elevation. We're talking a 440-meter vertical climb in less than 100 meters horizontally, with slopes that reach a crazy 90 degrees! The road width varies from 4 to 7 meters. Keep an eye out for the "China's No. 1 Overpass Bridge", a complete 360-degree circular turn with an overpass. You'll feel like you're driving in the sky, with cars above and below you. A viewing platform awaits with ecological railings, perfect for capturing those "wow" photos. Be aware it can get busy!
hardTravel guide to the top of Wahusi Pass
🇨🇳 China
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're headed to China's Qinghai Province and have a serious craving for adventure, Wahusi Pass is calling your name. Nestled way up in the Qilian Mountains, straddling Tianjun and Qilian Counties, this bad boy tops out at a staggering 4,456 meters (that's 14,619 feet!). Forget smooth asphalt; this road is all about rugged, unpaved terrain. Seriously, don't even think about attempting this one in your average sedan. You'll need a high-clearance, preferably 4-wheel drive vehicle to conquer this beast. The route, located northeast of the stunning Hala Lake, is a relentless climb. Starting near Yanglongxiang (off the S204 Road), you'll tackle 31.2 km (almost 20 miles) of steep inclines, some hitting a 10% gradient. You'll gain a whopping 1,097 meters in elevation, making for an average gradient of 3.51%. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. The challenge? Unforgettable. Get ready for the ride of your life!
extremeChina's Engineering Marvels: Driving The 23 Most Daring Tunnel Roads
🇨🇳 China
# China's Mind-Bending Cliff Roads: A Journey Into Daring Engineering China boasts some of the world's most jaw-dropping tunnel and cliff roads, carved straight through impossible terrain. In isolated spots like the Taihang Mountains, entire villages were once completely cut off from the outside world—accessible only by treacherous footpaths. Rather than wait for help, locals took matters into their own hands, literally hammering tunnels through solid rock to break free from isolation. Head to Henan Province and you'll find some of China's most famous cliff roads. The winding passages and tight openings make for an adrenaline-pumping drive that'll test your nerves. Each road tells a different story—of communities refusing to stay isolated, sheer determination, and the incredible risks people took to carve out lifelines to civilization. ## The Famous Ones You've Heard About One standout took five years for villagers to build. Today it's become a tourism hotspot, complete with family-run inns and a widened road. The tunnel stretches 700 meters with two passages—5 meters high and 4 meters wide. For sheer terror, check out the county's most notoriously dangerous option. This beast climbs from 1,000 to 1,300 meters elevation through a series of passages. At 1.6 kilometers long, it features six tiny tunnels and usually shuts down when winter hits. **Xiya Valley Hanging Tunnel** took 30 years of backbreaking work. The road spirals along a cliff face with windows carved along the way for views (and ventilation, probably). After the government stepped in during 2003, they paved the gravel with concrete. **Chen Family Hanging Tunnel** sits near a reservoir with a waterfall right at the exit—pretty spectacular, if you can enjoy views while navigating a narrow highway. It's one of the widest and most accessible cliff roads around, though coal trucks clog it regularly and the dust inside can be intense. **Jingdi Village Hanging Tunnel** took six years to complete and stretches 2 kilometers through the mountain with several hairpin turns inside. ## The Southwest Stunners The **Lanying Cliff Road** in Wuxi County carves through the southern slopes of the Daba Mountains. Built in 2001, this 1.2-kilometer paved route drops down a cliff face and remains the only link connecting Lanying village to the outside world. **Shibanhe Cliff Road** near Guizhou's Bijie City is a concrete beauty—470 meters long and 4.5 meters wide. Before 2000, villagers here only had a sketchy footpath called "Ladder Rock." They built this to finally connect with the rest of civilization. The **old Hongtiguan Tunnel Road** in Shanxi is seriously steep—a heart-pounding 30-degree incline with five cliff tunnels stacked 200 meters apart. Back in 1968, 800 villagers dug this out with primitive tools in what sounds like absolute madness. **Jingdi Hanging Tunnel** is another Shanxi classic. Starting in 1985, villagers spent 15 years chiseling through rock with basic hand tools. The 1.526-kilometer drive ranges from 6 to 10 meters wide—but expect traffic jams, since everyone wants to experience this picturesque nightmare. ## The Epic Long-Distance Routes **Huilong-Hanging Tunnel** in Henan's Taihang Mountains stretches 8 kilometers along a cliff edge, linking Henan and Shanxi provinces. Narrow and totally paved, it's a white-knuckle masterpiece. **Youzhuda Grand Canyon Wall Road** hugs the cliffs above the Yongding River in Hebei. It transitions from smooth asphalt to gravel inside the tunnel—definitely keeps you on your toes. The road to **Xifanggoucun** in Shaanxi hangs about 3,000 feet above ground in the Daba Mountain. Built between 2000 and 2006, this 6-kilometer concrete ribbon is the only way villagers get in and out. **Xiaguo Wall Road** in Hebei was carved in the 1970s above the Xiagou Reservoir. At 560 meters, it's shorter but just as intense. **Chenjiayuan Hanging Highway** was built from 1990 to 1993 specifically for coal transport through the Taihang Mountains. **Chishui Cliff Road** might be the most creative. Built over 10 years with hammers and picks, villagers in Xuyong County created this canyon-edge route. To reach Yunnan, you'd drive the cliff road then actually take a boat across the river. ## Hidden Gems & Smaller Wonders **Shangla Wall Tunnel Road** in Henan (built 1975-1977) is just 162 meters but features eight window openings—pure hand-hewn engineering. **Qiwangzhai Wall Tunnel Road**, also in Henan's Taihang Mountains, runs 600 meters through a series of windows and offers killer views of a scenic bridge. **Shuangping Cliff Road** sits on a 1,500-meter-high cliff. Dug by hand in 1997, it was upgraded with government support in 2011. The 595-meter paved route literally keeps an entire community connected. **Huahu Cliff Tunnel Road** (also called Jinyu No.56 Highway) stretches 22 kilometers from Pingshun to Linzhou through seven narrow tunnels. Watch out for rockslides and avoid rainy seasons. **Xialondong Cliff Tunnel Road** in Hunan is a hidden gem—1 kilometer total with 200 meters tunneled straight through the mountain. Built in the 1960s-70s, recent improvements added tunnel lighting and a lookout platform. **Jiangxia Wall Hung Road** in Gansu was hand-carved in the 1970s with simple tools. The windows offer spectacular views of the Yongning River below. **Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road** in Sichuan is a beast: 33.8 kilometers carved through the Xinyan Gorge starting in the early 1980s. This one's got a dark history—legend says 20-30 people died during construction. ## The Ancient Classic The **Mingyue Gorge Ancient Plank Road** in Sichuan is legitimately historic—carved over 2,300 years ago. Once critical for trade and military movement between provinces, it's now known as "China's Road Traffic Museum." After earthquake damage in 2016, restoration efforts improved it, though only tour buses are allowed these days (no private vehicles).
hardA winding road only for experienced drivers to Kenashi Pass
🇯🇵 Japan
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Gunma-Nagano Prefectural Road 112, smack-dab in central Japan, straddling the border between Gunma and Nagano prefectures. You're headed towards Kenashi Pass, a lofty perch at 1,910m (6,266ft) above sea level! This isn't just any drive – it’s the gateway to Mt. Hafu and Mt. Omeshi, so you know the views are going to be epic. "Kenashi" literally translates to "no hair," and they weren't kidding – you're above the treeline here, so the vistas are wide open. The road is paved, but hold on tight, it's a winding one! Think hairpin bends galore, and lots of blind curves. Pro tip: use those mirrors on the corners – you never know what's coming! This is a touristy area, so not everyone is a mountain road pro. It’s a steep climb! We're talking an average gradient of 8%, kicking up to 10% on some of those tight turns. Expect consistent climbs around 7%, with a few leg-burners at 10-11%, and only a couple of brief, gentler sections. At the top, you'll find a parking lot and a few abandoned transmission towers. Feeling adventurous? The road continues beyond the pass for another 3km to the Ogushi sulfur mine ruins. Heads up though: that last bit is unpaved and off-limits to vehicles.