Do you know the most dangerous thing that you can do in your life? Play it SAFE! If you haven’t surprised your life with something exciting and daring, we are sorry to say, you are not living it up to the brim. Don’t believe us? Well, even the famous psychotherapist, Alfred W. Adler is also of the same opinion:

“The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions.”

In fact, the well-known American poet, Robert Frost, too concurs with Dr. Alfred on this point. He once quoted:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference”

Keeping all the philosophy aside, what we all want to say is that exploring new roads or better to say the roads less taken are dangerous yet exciting and thrilling. Plus it will add a memorable story that you will remember for the lifetime.

Without taking much of your time, we have listed down few of the most dangerous roads in India where no or almost negligible air transport facility is available. These are the roads that witness the wrath of nature very often, thus creating trouble for the explorers. But this hasn’t dropped down their zeal to conquer these tough terrains, which is quite appreciable. For safety, it’s better you start your journey in a true off-roader SUV. So let’s explore these “Highways to Hell”:

Zojila Pass

Situated at an altitude of more than 11,000 feet above the sea level on Srinagar-Leh highway, Zojila Pass has been declared as the most dangerous mountain pass in India due to its narrow road which becomes impassable during rains or storms. This area also witnesses landslides frequently that further increase the risk of travelling on this route. Watch this video:

The video must have sent a chill down your spines but at the same time, the scenic beauty must have invited you to visit it once. Isn’t it?

Kinnaur Road

As the name suggests, this dangerous road is located in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district. Traveling on this road is equivalent to having a ride on a dangerous giant wheel at an amusement park, but here the difference lies in the availability of the safety equipment. The cliff-hanging drive through the narrow and shady underpasses makes the travel all the more thrilling and full of surprises. This road has literally been carved out of the mountains and the sharp blind turns it has often resulted into accidents. Have a look:

Still in shock? The topsy-turvy road gives no chance for a re-take. One mistake and you will splash directly into the river Baspa flowing right below. It is also known as Shimla-Kaza highway.

National Highway 22

The name may form a very different image in your mind like that of the regular highways with broad road and sky-rocketing speed but believe us those who have actually traveled through this highway have a completely different opinion. For them, “Highway to Hell” seems the right name. Dangerous cliffs, poor bridge, pitiable maintenance and huge traffic make this road one of the deadliest highways of the world. Take a view:

If you remember, this is the same highway that was telecasted in “IRT Deadliest Roads” TV series by History Channel for its hazardous road condition.

Khardung La Pass

Due to extreme weather conditions, this pass remains closed from October to May every year. This area is under army’s strict inspection because it is located in Ladakh, a part of Jammu and Kashmir region. The BRO (Border Road Organization), staffed with Indian Army, has worked a lot to make it travelable but you cannot deny the deadliness it holds. It is more popular for itshairpin turns that make the journey full of challenges. Here’s the video:

Chilling, isn’t it? Located at a height of 18,380 feet, this road has been declared as the world’s highest motorable road and it claims to have its name listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. In fact, our very favorite Lamborghini has successfully made its way to Khardung La pass. It falls on the Leh-Manali Highway.

Leh-Manali Highway

Remember the song, “Yeh Ishq Haye Bethe Bithaye JANNAT Dikhaye Haye”, from the movie, Jab We Met? If you still didn’t get what we mean by quoting this song, here it is – this is the same beautiful location where this song was shot. We don’t know whether our Bollywood diva, Kareena Kapoor, now Kareena Kapoor Khan, was mesmerized by the scenic beauty of the surrounding or something else but we have fallen in love with the Mother Nature’s selection of beauty. Take a glance:

We haven’t seen heaven but we bet it can’t be more beautiful than this one. Do you agree?

Nathula Pass

Located in eastern Sikkim, this mountain pass is 14,140 feet high and gives competition to the Khardungla Pass. This pass serves as the major link between India and China for trade and is also the oldest trading border post that is also the connecting link between Tibet and India. The word Nathu means “Listening ears” and the word La means “pass”. Take a dose:

For visiting this place you have to take a permit from Gangtok. Heavy snowfall on the route makes it less travelable and tricky many-a-times. Even the turns are dangerous so you have to be careful at each step.

Sach Pass

Not many people are aware of this road but it is also one of the trickiest roads in India that can give you an adrenaline rush. Located in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 14,500 feet, this mountain pass is all covered with snow that makes the travel more difficult and full of danger. This pass is the connection between the Chamba valley and Pangi valleys of HP. The narrow and unmetalled road adds more to the risk.This road is majorly used by Indian Army. The video will speak the rest:

Sach Pass makes the smallest route to Killar.

We know you have many other names in mind that you think could have been ranked in the above list. In that case, share your opinion in the comments section below so that the other readers can have enough options to decide their journey full of amusements and thrills.