- Where is: New Zealand, Dunedin;
- Length: 359 m;
- Angle: 19 degrees, recorded in the Guinness Book of Records
Located in the New Zealand city of Dunedin Baldwin Street is the steepest, in the literal sense of the word, street in the world. What attracts an additional flow of tourists to this locality.
The total length of the street is almost 360 meters and for this not too long distance it rises up to 80 meters! If at first the street is quite sloping, then approximately from the middle begins a steep section - its length is 160 meters, for which Baldwin Street rises by almost 50 meters. The angle of inclination in this section reaches 38 degrees.
History of construction
Do not think that the residents of the city were constrained in the choice of land. The reason for this location Baldwin Street is simple - the plan for the construction of the city founded in the distant 1848 was approved in London, and there it was not particularly interested in binding to a specific locality.
The local architects did not dare to bypass the building plan, and that's why this unique street appeared.
Street Features
Baldwin Street is covered with concrete. The usual asphalt here simply does not hold. After all, it is known to be heated in the sun, melts, and because of the large slope it will drain down, revealing the ground. Because of this, it was decided to pour it with concrete.
The street is almost dead-end, but only for cars. But the sidewalks are connected with Arnold Street and Calder Avenue.
Excessive angle of inclination, apparently, acts as a warning for local residents. Unforeseen, tragic incidents in the area Dunedin is not recorded. Except for one - in 2001 a young, 19-year-old fan of extreme sports decided to take a ride in a container on wheels, designed for garbage collection. However, the container was uncontrollable and crashed into a car standing on the roadside. The girl died from the injuries.
In 2009, three men decided to ride the same way, but for them everything ended well. Except for accusations of hooliganism.
But the stuntman I. Souns decided to differ in another way - he was able to descend the steep road on a motorcycle riding on one wheel.
Competitions and competitions
Since 1988, various competitions take place on Baldwin Street every year. So, here races are held - first the athletes run up, there they unfold and descend down. With each new race, the number of athletes striving to overcome this complex route is increasing.
Since 2002, charity fairs have been held - oranges are sold for sale in chocolate, and the proceeds from the sale of this unusual commodity go to the aid of the needy.
But especially popular are candy competitions - participants number their sweets and let them down the slope. To become a winner, the candy should not only come first to the finish line, but also get into a specially marked area resembling a funnel.
How to get there?
Find Baldwin Street in Dunedin - not a problem. The main thing is to get to this town. There is no railway communication with him. If you start out from Wellington , then you have three options:
- by car (own or rented);
- by bus;
- by plane - Dunedin airport is located 23 km from the city.
The first two methods are economical, but the journey will take about 12 hours. The third way - will require considerable expenses, but the flight will take a bit more than an hour.
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