Shock at Traveler's Deadly Cliffside Drive to Reach 'Paradise on Earth'

A 22-year-old woman from London has gone viral after traveling on one of the most dangerous roads in the world to reach a remote and secluded place that she says is like "paradise on earth."

In an April video shared on TikTok under the username simplyyykatie, the poster, Katie Scollan, who is known on social media for her travel adventures, can be seen riding an SUV on Fairy Meadows Road, which is in northern Pakistan and is one of the most dangerous places to drive on earth.

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Often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the almost 10-mile unpaved road in Fairy Meadows National Park connects Pakistan to China and goes by some of the tallest peaks in the world. Because of its high altitude and narrowness, the website Dangerous Roads lists it among the deadliest roads in the world.

solo traveller visits dangerous road
Katie Scollan is seen on northern Pakistan's Fairy Meadows Road, which is considered one of the most dangerous places to drive on earth. The video of her journey has gone viral on TikTok. simplyyykatie

Scollan says in the video: "I traveled on the second most dangerous road in the world here in Pakistan to get to one of the most beautiful places I've ever laid my eyes on. This is Fairy Meadows in northern Pakistan. But when I tell you the road to get here was truly horrifying, I mean it.

She continues: "This two-hour-long drive is on roads roughly formed from rocks and dirt, and the worst part is the narrow winding road has no railings. There is absolutely nothing that will prevent a vehicle from careening off the road and falling down off the side of the cliff and into the gorge below.

"A single mistake in the treacherous road to Fairy Meadows will result in a painful fiery death. Would you take this road to experience what some call paradise on earth?"

Scollan adds: "This road leads to what some people call heaven on earth, Fairy Meadows.... Would you be able to take a trip down this road?"

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She told Newsweek that she wanted to visit Pakistan to show people that the negative perceptions they might have of the country are far from the truth.

"I wanted to visit Fairy Meadows in Pakistan, which to get to you need to go on the world's second most dangerous road. Which was very scary but was definitely worth it as [it] is like paradise on earth," she said.

Pakistan is not among Americans' top travel destinations, which include Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean, according to Statista.

@simplyyykatie

Would you do this?!😰⚠️ This is the 2nd most dangerous road in the WORLD..😳🚧 Located in the North of Pakistan🇵🇰, this road leads to what some people call heaven on earth - 📍Fairy Meadows..🧚🏼‍♀️ Would you be able to take a trip down this road?🫣 #pakistan #pakistanzindabad #pakistani_tik_tok #fairymeadows

♬ Luminary - Joel Sunny

The video quickly went viral and has received over 948,100 views and 66,100 likes.

One user, Lady. H, commented: "Dangerous roads lead to the most beautiful places."

And kamran said: "The scary part is always when a bend is coming up but the driver is writing out a text message on his phone."

Mega Mana wrote: "I went there and I was crying during the whole way it was way too scary + the driver casually being on his phone and telling us story of how a truck/car fall off."

Raptor said: "The worst part is when they stop the Jeep at the edge to show you the Jeep that fell down few days ago."

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Maria Azzurra Volpe is a Newsweek Lifestyle Reporter based in London. Her focus is reporting on lifestyle and trends-related stories, ... Read more

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