Topic summary

Hairpin turn

Hairpin turn

A hairpin turn (also hairpin bend, hairpin curve, or hairpin corner) is a bend in a road with a very acute inner angle, making it necessary for a vehicle to turn about 180° to continue on the road. It is named for its resemblance to a bent metal hairpin. Such turns in ramps and trails may be called switchbacks in American English, by analogy with switchback railways.