What are the most spectacular roads in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is a landlocked country, located on the Iranian Plateau, at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Despite its natural wonders, right now is better to avoid all travel to Afghanistan, due to terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime.
The country is 652,864 km2 (252,072 sq mi), and bordered by 6 countries: Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. We advise against all travel to and within Afghanistan. Border crossing points may be closed without notice, especially during increased border tensions or concerns about increased risk of a terrorist attack. There are Taliban checkpoints on roads throughout the country and in Kabul.
Despite the risks, the country features many spectacular roads, some of them among the most challenging in the world, on a landscape characterized by rugged mountains, vast deserts, and fertile valleys. Navigating the Kabul-Jalalabad Highway is a difficult drive in Taliban territory following the Kabul River Gorge for 64 kilometers (40 mi). This two-lane highway runs through 600-meter-high cliffs. Salang Pass is a mountain pass at 3,878m (12,723ft) on the boundary between Parwan and Baghlan provinces. Back to war times, Highway 1 is the Afghan Highway to Hell. And the hostile and toxic Salang Tunnel sits at 3,400m (11,154ft) above sea level, with limited lighting, inadequate ventilation, and marred by potholes.
Grand Trunk Road is one of Asia's oldest and longest roads
The historic Grand Trunk Road is an ancient route in South Asia that stretches over 2,400 km (1500 miles) from Kabul to Kolkata. This iconic road passes through Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India through busy lanes, heavy traffic, and rich history. Known as Uttarāpatha in ancient times, it has existed for over two thousand years.
Perils and Beauty: Navigating the Kabul-Jalalabad Highway in Afghanistan
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
A road with heavy snowfalls and strong winds to Salang Pass
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.
Highway 1 is the Afghan Highway to Hell
Running from Kabul to Kandahar, NH0101 is the name of a very challenging drive located in the heart of Afghanistan. It was nicknamed the Highway to Hell.
K-G Pass, everything you need to know about this famed Afghan road
Khost-Gardez Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.897m (9,504ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Paktia and Khost provinces of Afghanistan.
Pamir Highway is the second highest altitude international highway in the world
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.
Driving through the hostile and toxic Salang Tunnel in the Hindu Kush Mountains
Salang Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 3,400m (11,154ft) above sea level located in Afghanistan. The tunnel has limited lighting, inadequate ventilation, and is marred by potholes.
The ultimate road trip to the legendary Dorah Pass
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.
Driving the defiant road through the Tangi Tashkurgan Gorge
Tangi Tashkurgan is an amazing gorge located in the Balkh province of Afghanistan.
Driving the Road to Anjuman Pass is Not a Piece of Cake
Kotal-e Anjoman is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,430m (14,534ft) above sea level, located in Badakhshan Province, in Afghanistan. The road to the summit—or lack thereof—is extreme.
A tricky road to the international Wakhjir Pass
Wakhjir Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.836m (15,866ft) above sea level, located on the border of Afghanistan and China. China has finished building a military road to the pass.
Kowtal-e Yāghardā, a challenging unpaved road
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.
Driving the wild Shibar 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.
A journey on the infamous Saricha Road
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.
A difficult and dangerous road to Kotal-e Lataband
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: this road is not for timid drivers
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.
A memorable road trip to Tera Pass
Kotal-e Tirah is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.895m (9,498ft) above the sea level, located in Afghanistan.
A high mountain road from Eshkashem to Gaz Khan
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.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Unai Pass
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.
Travelling the defiant road from Dowshi to Puli Khumri
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.
Ghudar Bridge
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
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.
A truly outstanding 4x4 adventure to Kotal-e Korgah
Kotal-e Korgah is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.204m (10,511ft) above sea level, located in Daykundi, also spelled as Daikundi, Daikondi, or Daykondi, one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan.
Shahtigh Pass
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.
Driving the wild road to Tagab-e Anjuman
Tagab-e Anjuman is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.013m (9,885ft) above sea level, located in the north-eastern part of Afghanistan.
Kōtal-e Sabzak
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.
Kotal-e Palpi
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.
Hawz e Wighnaan
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.
Kōtal-e Sabzak
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.
Peiwar Pass
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.
Kotal-e Ghar Jawin
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.
Kawak Pass is one of the gnarliest roads in Taliban territory
Kawak Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.671m (12,043ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Panjshir and Baghlan provinces, in Afghanistan.
Kotal-e Qonaq: a dangerous curvy road to the summit
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.
Kotal-e Faramoz
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.
A wild unpaved road to Pereval Munara
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.
The Ultimate Guide to Garmabeh-ye Bala Gardan-e
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.