10 roads in India considered dangerous and risky (2024)

India has some of the most beautiful places in the world, from tall mountains to deep valleys, with views that seem so dreamy and magical. Many people dream of visiting these places, but getting there isn’t always easy. The roads to these amazing spots can be very dangerous. They’re often narrow, high up, and have sharp turns or slippery patches that make driving risky. Some of these roads have even led to serious accidents. Here’s a list of some of India’s most breathtaking but dangerous roads one should know about before planning their next trip! Note: This list has been compiled on the basis of various online sources and traveller experiences.

National Highway 22, also called the Hindustan-Tibet Road, goes through the mountains of Himachal Pradesh and is believed to be one of the most dangerous roads in India. The road presents some beautiful views but is immensely narrow and full of sharp turns. Many areas don’t have guardrails, and landslides happen often, making it risky to drive.

Another dangerous road, known as the Leh-Manali Highway connects Leh (Jammu & Kashmir) to Manali (Himachal Pradesh). It's 458 kilometers long and only open in summer because snow blocks it in winter. As per reports, it is is incredibly narrow, has no dividers, and in some places, there are shaky bridges and fast streams.

Zoji La Pass connects Kashmir to Ladakh and is over 11,500 feet above sea level. This dangerous road is very narrow, often covered in snow and ice, and has steep cliffs, making it threatening to pass through. It is believed to be closed in winter because of heavy snow.

Rohtang Pass connects Manali to the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. This road is almost 4,000 meters high and often gets blocked by snow, making the road very slippery. The road has sharp turns and can get crowded, which makes it even more dangerous.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is a dangerous six-lane road connecting Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra. It’s a well-built road, but it gets very busy, and speeding cars can cause accidents. During the monsoon, landslides make it even more harmful.

Khardung La Pass is one of the highest and most dangerous roads in the world, at 5,359 meters above sea level. The views are breathtaking, but it’s risky because of the high altitude, which can also make you feel sick. The road is slippery and very narrow.

Munnar, a dangerous hill station in Kerala, is immensely famous for its tea gardens. The road to Munnar is steep and has many sharp turns. At night, dense fog and rain, that is very common there can make driving hard, and the road gets slippery in the monsoon.

Another unsafe road, known as the Kinnaur Road in Himachal Pradesh goes through deep valleys and cliffs. It’s narrow with steep drops, and in winter, snow and landslides can block it. One part, called Taranda Dhank, has a severely sharp drop to the river.

The Kotdwar-Dehradun Bypass is a very busy road in Uttarakhand, often used by tourists. It has steep slopes, sharp bends, and can get crowded with cars. During the rainy season, the roads become slippery, and landslides can happen, making it considerably dangerous.

Nathu La Pass connects India to Tibet and is located at over 4,300 meters above sea level. The road is extremely cold, with heavy snow in winter, and landslides are common during the monsoon. There are also very few facilities along the way, which makes it even more challenging.