Driving the most spectacular roads of Afghanistan

Delve into Afghanistan, a realm where millennia of history intertwines with a tapestry of awe-inspiring landscapes. Beyond the headlines and past its turbulent narrative, this nation unfurls roads that are more than mere pathways. They're chronicles of empires, canvases of natural wonders, and testament to human resilience.

The Kabul-Jalalabad Highway, a breathtaking chasm of mountains and cliffs, promises not just a drive but an odyssey, as it carves its path through the bedrock of history. The Salang Pass, riddled with heavy snowfalls and buffeted by strong winds, ascends through the imposing Hindu Kush, culminating in the Salang Tunnel — a hostile and toxic marvel of engineering that stands defiant against nature's wrath.

Then there's the infamous Highway 1, often dubbed Afghanistan's "Highway to Hell". It’s a stark juxtaposition of beauty and peril, echoing tales of travelers who dared its stretches. As we navigate these roads, we're not just crossing geographical stretches but epochs that defined this indomitable land.

So, strap in and embark on this voyage across Afghanistan's ancient arteries, where every bend beckons with stories of courage, conquest, and the ceaseless dance of nature and civilization.

Embark on a historical odyssey as we traverse the ancient arteries of South Asia, exploring the legendary Grand Trunk Road. Stretching over 2,400 km, this iconic route connects Kabul to Kolkata, winding through the heartlands of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Once known as Uttarāpatha in antiquity, the road has endured for over two millennia, witnessing the ebb and flow of civilizations. Join us on a journey through the bustling lanes, chaotic traffic, and rich history that define the Grand Trunk Road.

The Kabul-Jalalabad Highway is a challenging road located in Afghanistan, following the Kabul River Gorge for 64 kilometers (40 mi) in Taliban territory. This two-lane highway runs through 600-meter-high cliffs, and fatal traffic accidents are common due to reckless driving.

Salang Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,878m (12,723ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Parwan and Baghlan provinces, in Afghanistan.

Running from Kabul to Kandahar, NH0101 is the name of a very defiant drive located in the heart of Afghanistan. It was nicknamed as the Highway to Hell.

The historical Pamir Highway (M41) is an excellent challenge for 4x4 adventure travelers. Most of the road is paved (in very bad conditions) and stretches more than 1,200km between Osh (in Kyrgyzstan) and Dushanbe (in Tajikistan) through the Pamir Mountains. The road is heavily damaged in places by erosion, earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches.

Khost-Gardez Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.897m (9,504ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Paktia and Khost provinces of Afghanistan.

Salang Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 3,400m (11,154ft) above sea level. It's located in the heart of the rugged Hindu Kush Mountains, which stretch between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. The tunnel has limited lighting, inadequate ventilation, and is marred by potholes.

Dorah Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,538m (14,888ft) above sea level, located on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Tangi Tashkurgan is an amazing gorge located in Balkh province of northern Afghanistan.

Kotal-e Anjoman is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.430m (14,534ft) above the sea level, located in Badakhshan Province, in north-eastern Afghanistan. The road to the summit (or lack of) is extreme.

Wakhjir Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.836m (15,866ft) above the sea level, located on the Afghanistan-China border. China has finished building a road across the pass.

Kōtal-e Shibar is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.000m (9,843ft) above the sea level, located in the Koh-e-Baba mountains of central Afghanistan.

Yaghurda Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.525m (11,564ft) above the sea level, located in Badakhshan Province, in north-eastern Afghanistan. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. Stay away if you're scared of heights.

Saricha Road is an extreme drive located in north-eastern Afghanistan. Expect a rough gravel road and driving only in 1st and 2nd gear. Very steep climbs/descents with narrow hairpins in one of the most beautiful, but isolated and rugged landscapes on Earth.

Lataband Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.499m (8,199ft) above the sea level, located in the Karkacha hills between Seh Baba and Butkhak in the Hindukush Range, in Afghanistan.

Hajigak Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.475m (11,401ft) above the sea level, located in Bamiyan Province in central Afghanistan.

Kotal-e Tirah is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.895m (9,498ft) above the sea level, located in Afghanistan.

The Eshkashem-Gaz Khan road, part of The Wakhan corridor, is a high mountain road located in the Wakhan walley of Badakhshan Province, in north-eastern Afghanistan running entirely over 2.700m above the sea level.

Unai Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.000m (9,843ft) above the sea level, located in the Sanglakh Range, in Afghanistan.

Located in Baghlan Province, in the north-eastern Afghanistan, the road linking Dowshi (also known as Dushi) and Puli Khumri is a very scenic drive.

The Ghudar bridge is a hanging bridge spanning the Lazir River in Ghodar, also known as Ghudar, a small town in the Nili district, in Daykundi Province, Afghanistan. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Pazhuk Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.160m (10,367ft) above the sea level, located in in north-eastern Afghanistan.

Khedir Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.700m (12,139ft) above the sea level, located in Daykundi, in the central part of Afghanistan.

Shah Tigh Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.316m (10,879ft) above the sea level, located in Daykundi province, in the central part of Afghanistan. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs.

Tagab-e Anjuman is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.013m (9,885ft) above the sea level, located in in north-eastern Afghanistan.

Palphi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.885m (9,465ft) above the sea level, located in Baghlan Province in north eastern Afghanistan.

Kōtal-e Sabzak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.552m (8,372ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Herat and Badghis provinces, in north-west Afghanistan.

Wighnaan pool is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.600m (8,530ft) above the sea level, located in Takhar Province, northern Afghanistan. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides. One mistake and it's a free fall to your death. In many places the road is bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters (many hundreds of feet) unprotected by guardrails.

Peiwar Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.615m (8,579ft) above the sea level, located between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Kōtal-e Sabzak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.274m (10,741ft) above the sea level, located in the Samangan Province in the district of the same name in the northern part of Afghanistan.

Kotal-e Ghar Jawin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.769m (12,365ft) located in Badakhshan Province in north-eastern Afghanistan.

Kotal-e Qonaq is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.407m (11,177ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Daykundi and Bamyan provinces,  in the central part of Afghanistan.

Kawak Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.671m (12,043ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Panjshir and Baghlan provinces, in northern Afghanistan.

Garmabeh-ye Bala Gardan-e is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.860m (9,383ft) above the sea level, located in Ghor Province, in central Afghanistan.

Pereval Munara is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.535m (8,316ft) above the sea level, located in Ghor Province, in central Afghanistan.

Pereval Faramoz is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.143m (10,311ft) above the sea level, located in Yakawlang District, Bamyan Province, Afghanistan.