Hairpin turn facts for kids

The type of hair pin (bobby pin) from which a 'hairpin turn' takes its name.

A hairpin turn is a very sharp bend in a road or path. It makes a vehicle turn almost 180 degrees. This means you nearly turn around to keep going on the road. It's called a hairpin turn because it looks like a bobby pin used for hair. In some places, especially in America, these turns are also called switchbacks.

Why We Need Hairpin Turns

Hairpin turns are built for a few important reasons. They are often found where a road needs to go up or down a very steep hill. Instead of making the road go straight up, which would be too steep, the road winds back and forth. This makes the slope much gentler and safer for cars to drive on.

Hairpin Turns in Racing

You can also find hairpin turns on race tracks. After a long, fast straight part of the track, a hairpin turn forces race cars to slow down a lot. This adds excitement to the race and tests the drivers' skills. It also creates opportunities for cars to pass each other.

Images for kids

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  Hairpin turn in Oregon, US

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  One of the most famous NASCAR tracks with hairpin turns was the old Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California

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  WA 129 in Joseph Canyon

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  Shafer Trail Road in Canyonlands National Park

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  Nujiang 72 turns/Baxoi 99 turns

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  Tribhuvan Highway, Nepal

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  Ancient 18 Hairpin Bends, known as Daha ata wanguwa on the way to/from Kandy/Mahiyanganaya

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  Grand Hotel Hairpin in Circuit de Monaco.

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  A WRC car taking a hairpin turn during 2007 Rallye Deutschland

See also

In Spanish: Horquilla (curva) para niños