Tourists to be welcomed at most dangerous highway spiral in Turkey

Derebaşı Bends, one of the most dangerous roads in the world, seeks to attract thrill seekers as local Turkish authorities in Trabzon aim to host races there.

At an altitude of 3,500 meters, the road is the shortest route from Trabzon, a large port city, to Bayburt, which connects part of the Black Sea region to inner regions of Turkey. 

"It is closed to traffic for about six months every year due to heavy snow, but in summer, melting snow creates a scenic route for drivers as it turns into pristine water in streams straddling the slopes. Yet, if one is taken in too much by the views and drives without caution, you can end up at the bottom of the cliffs, as the road has no guardrails. Sudden, steep grades also pose a challenge for those missing road signs. Some narrow sections of the road are not wide enough for two cars, and some parts are made of gravel instead of stable asphalt," Daily Sabah writes.

Ali Ayvazoğlu, head of Trabzon's culture and tourism authority, told Anadolu Agency that the road has always been a challenge for drivers, but its notoriety has also made it world famous. Ayvazoğlu said a string of events are being considered, from off-road races to climbing contests. "This is an alternative place for tourism," he said.