9 whiplash-inducing switchbacks to Too Ashuu Pass
Töö Ashuu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,576m (11,732ft) above sea level, located in the Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan. This is definitely not a Sunday drive. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with dangerous drop-offs.
Where is Töö Ashuu Pass?
The pass is located in the northern part of the country, in the Kyrgyz Alatau range of the Tien Shan mountains.
Is Töö Ashuu Pass unpaved?
The road to the summit, also known as Theo-Ashuu or Camel Pass, is totally unpaved. It’s commonly known as the Töö Ashuu old road.
How challenging is Töö Ashuu Pass?
The road is very bumpy and not meant for average cars. A 4WD vehicle is required. The road is subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes.
Why is Töö Ashuu Pass famous?
Too-Ashuu is known for the legend about the Kyrgyz hero Kozhumkul, who carried a wounded horse through the pass on his shoulders. The summit hosts a small mountain refuge. There is a ski area just below the pass.
How long is Töö Ashuu Pass?
Starting at the paved M41 (the Pamir Highway), part of the European route E010, the road to the summit is 6.4 km (3.97 miles) long. It’s a very steep drive, hitting a 13% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The elevation gain is 492 meters. The average gradient is 7.68%.
Is Töö Ashuu Pass in use yet?
Due to its brutality, a 2.8km (1.7 miles) long tunnel, known as Töö Ashuu tunnel, was built in the 1960s to bypass the most challenging part of the pass.
Pic: Leon