Hairpin turn

Highways with repeating hairpin turns allow easier, safer ascents and descents of mountainous terrain than a direct, steep climb and descent, at the price of greater distances of travel and usually lower speed limits, due to the sharpness of the turn.

On occasion, the road may loop completely, using a tunnel or bridge to cross itself at a different elevation (example on Reunion Island: 21°10′52″S 55°27′17″E / 21.18111°S 55.45472°E / -21.18111; 55.45472; example near Ashland, Oregon 42°05′31″N 122°35′21″W / 42.09194°N 122.58917°W / 42.09194; -122.58917).

Sections known as hairpins are also found in the slalom discipline of alpine skiing.

A hairpin consists of two consecutive vertical or "closed gates", which must be negotiated very quickly.

[2] Media related to Hairpin turns at Wikimedia Commons

Hairpin turn in Oregon, US
A hairpin, after which the feature is named
Looking into the Fairmont Hairpin