The D915 road, stretching 105 km, connects the towns of Of and Bayburt in Eastern Turkey and is considered the most dangerous road in the world.
For many years, Bolivia’s Yungas Road, also known as the “Death Road,” was regarded as the most perilous road globally. Numerous photos and videos depict drivers navigating the gravel path winding through the Cordillera Oriental mountain range, which rises to 4,650 meters. This has made Yungas one of Bolivia’s most famous tourist attractions, drawing about 25,000 visitors each year. However, some explorers claim there is another road that surpasses the Death Road in difficulty.
The D915 road, connecting Turkey’s Anatolia region with the Black Sea, features countless twists and steep inclines that make driving dangerous, even for skilled drivers.
The Babyurt – Of (D915) road is the most dangerous driving road in the world. (Photo: Reddit).
The history of the Babyurt – Of road (D915) dates back to the Trebizond Campaign (1916 – 1918), when Russian forces captured Trabzon. It is believed that this road was constructed by Russian soldiers using hand tools. Except for a few paved sections at either end, most of the road is gravel.
At first glance, D915 may not appear too hazardous, but as you travel from either end, the pavement gradually gives way to gravel, and the road becomes narrower and steeper. There are a total of 38 sharp turns along the route, the most famous being the Derebaşı turn. Additionally, there are 17 turns that stretch over 5.1 km, ascending from an elevation of 1,712 meters to 2,035 meters above sea level, with a maximum gradient of 17%.
There are no guardrails on the cliffside, and the steepest sections of the road are very narrow. When two vehicles meet, one must reverse to give way. This situation becomes especially dangerous in poor weather conditions, such as thick fog or rain, both of which frequently occur even during summer. D915 is typically closed from October to early July due to ice and snow.
Some turns on D915 are too narrow, and larger vehicles often wait for moments when no oncoming traffic is present to navigate safely. However, this road is busy, as hundreds of locals use it daily. There are two alternative routes between Of and Bayburt, but D915 is preferred for its fewer detours, despite the dangers.
From the highest point of the D915 road, visitors can observe some breathtaking scenery. However, due to its hazards, it is not recommended as a tourist hotspot. A single misstep could lead to tragedy. Thus, D915 is only suitable for experienced drivers and is not ideal for thrill-seeking tourists.
