Morkaya Road is one of the most demanding drives in the world
Located in the District of Yusufeli, Artvin Province, in North-East Turkey, the road to Morkaya is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. This road has humbled many egos. It’s not for the sissies.
The road is a shortcut to Morkaya. It links the scenic paved Erzurum-Artvin road and this small village. It has a length of 8km. The road is in dreadful condition and requires strong nerves to negotiate it. It’s certainly breathtaking and has a fearsome reputation. It still remains an adrenaline-pumping journey and is definitely not for the faint of lungs, heart, or legs. Words can’t describe the road and pictures don’t do it justice.
Expect a 15km/h limit. The road is very steep, narrow (impassable for 2 cars at the same time) and bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters unprotected by guardrails. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides. Only the suicidal, the insane, or the paid-to-do-this should ever drive down. The road starts and finishes with asphalt for easy driving, but the main bulk of the road is made up of loose gravel.
The first section of the road includes a 15% gradient on a concrete surface. This road tests the skill, and courage, of any driver. There is little room for error on this road. Don’t stuff your belly too much. Eventually, you might feel vomiting temptations. The zone is prone to heavy mist and can be dangerous in low visibility conditions.
The steep part of the road is simply terrible. Curvy roads descending down the cliffs, often so narrow that you can’t turn the first time… Fog and rain are very common and this track can get very muddy and slippery after rain making it challenging to get through. Bad weather can be a real deterrent to road users. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point.
Road suggested by: http://www.worldofroads.com/?p=114&lang=en