What are the most spectacular roads in India?

Located in the southern part of Asia, India covers a total area of 3,287,263 square kilometres (1,269,219 sq mi). With a very diverse landscape, comprising snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, plains and a coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometers, the country offers never-ending driving experiences and 200 of the most spectacular roads in the world. One of the most challenging drives is the road to Umling La. At 5.882m (19,300ft) above sea level it is the highest paved road on Earth offering views that can make you feel on top of the world. If you like challenging mountain roads situated at high elevations, remember to check out our list of the highest roads in India.

The country shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Some of the borders are on high mountain passes, so the country features some of the highest roads in the world. Another driving challenges are the road from Kishtwar to Keylong, said to be India's most terrifying road, or the isolated road to Jalori Pass, a mountain pass at 3,134m (10,282ft) above sea level. The country experiences a wide range of climates, from tropical to alpine, and monsoon rains influencing much of the country.

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.

Kolli Hills Road (Road MDR181) is a challenging mountain road located in Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai, a small mountain range in central Tamil Nadu, Namakkal district, on the east coast of South India. The road features 70 continuous hairpin bends.

Embark on a journey through the Himalayas with the Leh-Manali Highway. This mountain road, known for its challenges, takes us through some of the world's highest passes. From its strategic importance to the day-to-day life around it, we'll explore the key aspects of this iconic route. Join us in unraveling the story of the Leh-Manali Highway—a testament to both engineering and the raw beauty of the landscapes it traverses.

Located on the border between the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in India, driving from Kishtwar to Keylong offers one of the most terrifying experiences in the world.

Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,979m (13,054ft) above sea level, located in Himachal Pradesh, a northern Indian state in the Himalayas.

Zoji La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,536m (11,601ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, in India. This strip of rock is not the place for a Sunday drive. It’s said to be one of the most treacherous drives in the world.

Jalori Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,134m (10,282ft) above sea level, situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The pass is the nearest mountain pass from Delhi, approximately 600 km away, and is featured on every adventure tourist’s map.

Khardung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,359m (17,582ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It’s one of the highest roads in the world.

Munnar is a popular hill-resort town in the southwestern state of Kerala, India, at an elevation of 1,700m (5,600ft) above sea level. The town is located in the Western Ghats, in the Idukki district.

Umling La is a high mountain pass at 5.882m (19,300ft) above sea level, located in Jammu and Kashmir, in India. It’s one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The drive features a real risk of AMS (altitude-mountain-sickness) and death due to Pulmonary Edema and Cerebral Edema.

Kinnaur Road is a scenic cliff-hanging drive through the seemingly bottomless Baspa river gorge in Sangla Valley, in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Spiti Valley Road is located in a desert mountain valley, high in the Himalaya mountains, in the north-eastern part of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Carved into the mountains, it’s said to be one of India's most dangerous roads.

Located in the Sikkim Indian state, in the Himalayan mountains, the Three Level Zigzag Road features more than 100 hairpins in just 30km. It's one of the most hairpinned roads in the world. Get your adrenaline pumping on this exciting road.

Located in India’s Himachal Pradesh state, the Aut Tunnel is one of the most dangerous tunnels in the world and has become very lethal for traffic coming from both sides. It’s dark inside as there are just a few bulbs, and there are no CCTV cameras or firefighting facilities.

Chang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,374m (17,631ft) above sea level, located in Indian Jammu and Kashmir. Altitude sickness is a common phenomenon here, so it is suggested not to stay for more than 20 minutes. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Mana Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,626m (18,458ft) above sea level, located on the border of India and China. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Shipki La is an international high mountain pass and border post on the India-China border, at an elevation of 3,954m (12,972ft) above sea level. The border is no longer open for non-residents.

Located in the Indian state of Jharkhand, Tata Road is said to be haunted by a white lady. Most of the accidents occur at night on this stretch of the highway.

Taglang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,328m (17,480ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Located on the southern part of Asia, the terrain of the country is varied and often presents great challenges. The mountains of India are home to several elegant overnight facilities, boasting scenic views and fresh mountain air.

Razdan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,543m (11,624ft) above sea level, located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It’s one of the scariest roads in the world.

Located in the Raigad district of the Indian state of Maharashtra, the road from Neral to Matheran is a very challenging drive. People fear to drive on this road.

Located in the Himalaya mountains in the northeastern part of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, the Chicham Bridge is said to be the world's highest bridge, at 4.037m (13,244ft) above sea level. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Tucked away in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India, the road from Karcham to Chitkul is one of the most exciting drives in the world.

Located in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. It connects the National Highway (NH 49) with Rameswaram on Pamban Island.

Marsimik La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.590m (18,339ft) above sea level, located in Jammu and Kashmir state, in India. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Photi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,532m (18,149ft) above sea level, located in southeastern Ladakh in the eastern Jammu and Kashmir state of India. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Niti La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.086m (16,686ft) above sea level, located on the border of India and China.

Bum La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.508m (14,790ft) above sea level, located on the Indo-China border. The road through the pass has disastrous conditions, and only 4wd vehicles with competent drivers are allowed.

Fotu La Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,108m (13,478ft) above sea level, located in the Leh district of Ladakh in India.

Mount Abu is a hill station at an elevation of 1,183m (3,881ft) above sea level, located in the desert state of Rajasthan, India.

Kaksang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.436m (17,834ft) above sea level located in the Leh district of Ladakh, in India. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Margan Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,696m (12,125ft) above sea level, located south of Anantnag district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Bara-lacha la is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.890m (16,043ft) above sea level, located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, in India.

Saach La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,420m (14,500ft) above sea level, located in Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh, in India.

Kunzum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.556m (14,947ft) above sea level, located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It's the highest point on the Spiti Valley Road.

Shingo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,048m (16,561ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, in India.

Munsiyari is a high mountain town at an elevation of 2.682m (8,799ft) above sea level, located in the hill-state of Uttarakhand, India.

Nathu La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.310m (14,140ft) above sea level, located at the Indo-China border.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.