noun
national road in terrible condition
Jocular slang punning on 国道 (こくどう, national highway) by replacing 国 with 酷 (cruel, harsh). Used online and among travelers to describe poorly maintained, dangerous, or barely passable national roads.
See also: 国道
この酷道は舗装が剥がれて穴だらけだ。
This 'cruel road' is full of potholes with the pavement coming off.
酷道マニアの間
Among 'cruel road' enthusiasts, that mountain pass section is famous.