steep path; dangerous mountain road
Refers to a physically steep and potentially hazardous path, typically in mountainous terrain. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
The climbers carefully advanced along the steep path.
その村へ続く険路は、雨でさらに危険になった。
The steep road leading to the village became even more dangerous due to the rain.
難路 means a difficult road in a broader sense (e.g., rough terrain, obstacles), whereas 険路 focuses on steepness.
Standard kanji spelling using 険 (steep, dangerous).
Variant using 嶮, an older character for steepness; less common in modern writing.
Compound of 険 (steep, precipitous) and 路 (road, path). The reading けんろ follows standard on'yomi.