How to drive the unpaved road to Kōtal-e Darah-ye Rāst in Afghanistan?
Kōtal-e Darah-ye Rāst is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,188m (13,740ft) above sea level located in Afghanistan. It is one of the highest roads in the country.
Where is Kōtal-e Darah-ye Rāst?
The pass is located on the border between Kabul and Parwan provinces.
How long is the road to Kōtal-e Darah-ye Rāst?
Starting from Paghman, the road to the summit is 12 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1745m and the average gradient is 14.54% but several ramps hit 20%.
Is the road to Kōtal-e Darah-ye Rāst unpaved?
The track is entirely unpaved, consisting of loose shale and sharp rocks. It is a slow crawl where the tires are constantly fighting for grip on the scree slopes. A high-clearance 4x4 is the only way to reach the top without destroying the underbody of the car.
How challenging is the road to Kōtal-e Darah-ye Rās?
There are no lights, and the road is a narrow shelf with no walls or guardrails. If you drive here at night, you risk driving off the edge or getting hit by rockfalls that are common on these unstable mountain faces.
Is the Kōtal-e Darah-ye Rāst pass open year-round?
Set high in the Hindu Kush range, the pass is buried under snow and ice for most of the year. You can only attempt the drive between late June and early September. Even in mid-summer, a sudden blizzard can turn the track into a slippery trap.
Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson