1. The iciest road: Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road (Canada)
This 568 kilometer long highway in northern Canada has to be rebuilt every year and has been the longest ice road in the world since it was first used in 1982. The highway, which begins on Tibbitt Lake and ends at Contwoyto Lake and runs over a total of 495 kilometers of frozen lakes, supplies the large mines north of Yellowknife from January to March.
2. The draftiest street – Mae Klong Railway Market (Thailand)
Actually, the Mae Klong Railway Market is a completely normal chaotic market like there are thousands in Thailand. But as its name suggests, there is one difference: eight times a day a train weighing several tons rushes through the narrow Marktgasse, with millimeter precision, past stalls, locals and amazed tourists. Anyone who watches the videos on Youtube is surprised that there have only been two deaths in all these years.
3. The most dangerous road: El Camino de la Muerte (Bolivia)
The Road of Death, as it is called by the locals, connects the Bolivian capital La Paz with Coroico, 60 kilometers away, and is up to 4650 m above sea level. The narrow width, steep slopes, rain, fog and poor road conditions caused 200 to 300 accidental deaths each year. In 2007 a modern bypass was opened; Since then, the officially named Yungas Street has mostly served as a tourist magnet for mountain bikers.
4. The road with the most bridges: Atlantic Coast Road (Norway)
The Atlantic Road, opened in 1989, was named Norway’s “Building of the Century” in 2005. The 8.3-kilometer section leads over a total of eight bridges from the village of Vevang to Karvag, which is located on an island. The Atlantic Road is not only a tourist attraction, but also popular with locals because of the many fishing spots. The series is also the setting in the recently released “James Bond” film “No Time to Die”.
5. The steepest street: Baldwin Street (New Zealand)
With a gradient of up to 35 percent, Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand is officially listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the steepest street in the world. Because of the extreme gradient, the pavement is made of concrete instead of asphalt, as it would melt on hot days and slide down the road.
6. The fastest road: Bonneville Salt Flats Utah (USA)
The large salt desert in the north of the US state of Utah is of course officially not a road, but it is always the scene of new speed records. As early as 1896, bike races were held on the Bonneville Salt Flats. In 1935 racing driver Sir Malcolm Campbell set a record of 484 km / h in his Blue Bird with piston engine. Gary Gabelich in the Blue Flame rocket car even cracked the crazy 1000 km / h mark in 1970.
7. The longest road: Panamericana (North to South America)
Over 30,000 kilometers, which corresponds to 3/4 of the circumference of the earth, the Panamericana runs from northern Alaska to the extreme southern tip of Argentina and crosses 17 states, six time zones and four climatic zones. Except for a small section between the Panama Canal and northern Colombia, it can be navigated continuously. According to the Guinness Book, Yonge Street in Canada is officially the longest street in the world with a length of 1,896 kilometers.
8. The shortest street: Ebenezer Place (Scotland)
From the longest to the officially shortest street in the world: Ebenezer Place in the Scottish port city of Wick is – no joke – just 2.06 meters long and connects River Street with Union Street. The only address on Ebenezer Place is No. 1 bistro. The local administration ordered the former owner of the hotel, Alexander Sinclair, to put up a street sign on the short side of the building in 1883.
9. The narrowest street: Spreuerhofstrasse (Germany)
While there is enough space at Ebenezer Place, it gets tight on Spreuerhofstrasse in the old town of Reutlingen (D): The average width of the 50 meter long alley is 40 centimeters, at the narrowest point only 31 centimeters! Only after the efforts of a Reutlingen tourism manager was Spreuerhofstrasse officially entered in the Guiness Book in 2007. Since then it has been so popular that the sign for the record has been stolen over 20 times! For this reason, it was last fastened with special screws.
10. The winding street: Lombard Street (USA)
Lombard Street is one of the most important thoroughfares in San Francisco and a feeder to the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. Almost as well known is the 145 meter long section of road between Hyde Street and Leavenworth Street, which with its ten switchbacks is unofficially the most winding street in the world. With its numerous, colorfully planted flower beds, Lombard Street is one of the most photographed tourist attractions in San Francisco.