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.

Located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India, the Nesang Bridge is a very challenging bridge. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Situated on the razor-edge border between India and China, Bamtso La is an extraordinary high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 5,465m (17,929ft) above sea level. Located in the shadow of the massive Kangchengyao range, this pass is one of the highest driveable points in the world, connecting North Sikkim in India with Kamba County in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Gyu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.550m (14,927ft) above the sea level, located in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state.

Medo La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.915m (19,406ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and India. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

There is no vacation better than a fun and thrilling road trip with friends. A lot of you might have already planned a road trip to the hill station for the upcoming holidays. Sometimes these plans work out, while a lot of times they don’t.

Sese La is an extraordinary high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 5,474m (17,959ft) above sea level, situated on the sensitive border between India and China. Located in the Mangan District of Sikkim, it stands as one of the most remote and strategically significant motorized points in the eastern Himalayas. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Chocho Kuri La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.995m (13,106ft) above the sea level, located in the Leh district, in the Indian union territory of Ladakh.

Lanak La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,495m (18,028ft) above sea level, situated in the disputed Aksai Chin region. This pass sits on the territorial line between India (Ladakh) and China (Tibet), making it one of the most politically sensitive and geographically isolated mountain crossings in the world. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

India is a massive subcontinent with a road network that handles everything from high-altitude Himalayan passes to tropical coastal highways. For any driver planning a cross-country trip, understanding the seasonal logistics and regional infrastructure is more important than knowing the history of the country.

Lamzo La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.911m (16,112ft) above the sea level, located in northern India’s Leh District.

Zursair La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.960m (16,272ft) above the sea level, located in Leh District, Jammu and Kashmir in northern India.

Tsermangchen La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.882m (12,736ft) above the sea level, close to the famous Leh city, in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.

Archu La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.199m (13,776ft) above the sea level, located in Kargil district, in the Indian administered Union territory of Ladakh.

Harong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.273m (14,019ft) above the sea level, located in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state.

Rizong Gompa is a high mountain monastery at an elevation of 3.420m (11,220ft) above the sea level, located in Ladakh, India.

Charchagan La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.924m (16,154ft) above the sea level, located in the Changthang Plateau, in Ladakh in Northern India.

Phatarian Gali is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.575m (8,448ft) above the sea level, located in the Jammu region in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mandala Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,220m (10,564ft) above sea level, located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India.

Bumiktse La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.420m (14,501ft) above the sea level, located in the Leh district, in the Indian union territory of Ladakh.

Changi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.235m (13,894ft) above the sea level, located in the Indian administered union territory of Ladakh.

Kharsang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.437m (14,557ft) above the sea level, located on the Indo-China border.

Chyupa La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.424m (14,514ft) above the sea level, located in the Leh district, in the Indian union territory of Ladakh.

Located in Jammu and Kashmir, in India, the challenging Lalung Valley Road is one of the highest roads on Earth, ending at 5,803m (19,038ft) above sea level.

Manman Top is a high mountain pass, standing at an elevation of 4,302m (14,114ft) above sea level, situated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The journey to the summit offers a complete off-roading adventure.

Kharbu La is a high mountain pass, standing at an elevation of 3,509m (11,512ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of India.

Lamsu La is a high mountain pass, standing at an elevation of 3,672m (12,047ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of India.

Shakhar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,602m (11,817ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of northern India. The pass is situated in the Aryan Valley, north of Chiktan. It is one of the many high-altitude tracks in the Himalayas that connect small, isolated mountain settlements.

India is home to some of the world’s most dangerous roads, extreme and unforgettable driving experiences, and terrain that tests both driver and machine. While routes like the Leh Manali Highway or Khardung La are well-known among thrill-seekers, there are lesser-travelled roads that offer even more heart-stopping experiences. These are the roads that don’t make it into every travel blog,  but perhaps should. 

Barla La is a high mountain pass, standing at an elevation of 4,207m (13,802ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of India.

Gongma La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,886m (16,030ft) above sea level, located in the Leh District of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Tstato La is an extreme high-mountain pass reaching a staggering elevation of 5,056m (16,587ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Situated in the remote Changthang plateau, this track represents one of the most challenging driving experiences in the northern part of the country.

Mankogh La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,197m (17,050ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh union territory of India, near the Line of Actual Control with China. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Surtok La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,356m (14,291ft) above sea level, located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.

In October 2025, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) made history once again by completing the construction of the world’s highest motorable road at Mig La Pass. Reaching a staggering elevation of 19,400 ft (5,913 m), this new route in the Ladakh region of India has officially surpassed the previous Guinness World Record held by the nearby Umling La (19,024 ft). It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Sitting on the high-altitude frontier between India and China, Tsang Chok La is a formidable mountain pass at an elevation of 5,461m (17,916ft) above sea level. This pass connects the Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand, India, with the Zanda County of Tibet. It is a legendary route for its hundreds of turns and its sheer verticality, making it one of the most technical unpaved crossings in the Himalayas.

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