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.

Nakee La

Driving the exciting road to the top of Nakee La Pass

Nakee La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.769m (15,647ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Wari La

Adventure along the wild road to Wari La Pass

Wari La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.312m (17,427ft) above sea level, located in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Dongkha La

A paved road to the top of Dongkha La Pass

Dongkha La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.492m (18,018ft) above sea level, located in the northern part of the state of Sikkim, India, near the Chinese border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Loam’s view point

Loam’s Viewpoint: A Thrilling Drive through India's Western Ghats on a Road with 40 Hairpin Bends

Loam’s Viewpoint is a beautiful lookout at an elevation of 780m (2,559ft) above sea level, located in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, India.

Saser La

An extreme road to the summit of Saser La Pass

Saser La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.411m (17,753ft) above sea level, located in the eastern part of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, in India. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Gata Loops

Gata Loops is a roller coaster road with 21 hairpin turns

Gata Loops is a series of 21 hairpin turns located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It's one of the most famous hairpinned roads in the world.

Sela La

Driving the challenging road to Se La Pass in the Himalayas

Se La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,198m (13,772ft) above sea level, straddling the boundary between Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, in India. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the area.

Tsomgo Lake

Navigating the road to Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim's high-altitude treasure

Tsomgo Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,753m (12,313ft) above sea level, located in East Sikkim, in India.

East Coast Road

East Coast Road is a scenic drive shadowed by mystery

East Coast Road (ECR) is a highway located in Tamil Nadu, India, connecting Chennai to Kanyakumari. The road is known for its scenic views and also for its eerie tales.

Sinthan Top

The road to Sinthan Top is not for you if you’re prone to car sickness

Sinthan Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.792m (12,440ft) above sea level, located in Anantnag district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Atal Tunnel

Atal Tunnel is the world’s longest highway tunnel above 3,000m

Located on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in India, the Atal Tunnel (nicknamed as Rohtang Tunnel) is the world’s longest tunnel at an altitude above 3,000m.

Pangsau Pass

Navigating the historic road to Pangsau Pass built during WWII

Pangsau Pass is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.136m (3,727ft) above sea level, located on the crest of the Patkai Hills on the India-Burma (Myanmar) border.

Chalakudy-Valparai Road

Hundreds of turns and switchbacks on the road from Chalakudy to Valparai

The road from Chalakudy to Valparai is a very scenic drive running across the Sholayar Reserve Forest, in India.

Sadhana Pass

Travel guide to the top of Sadhana Pass in the Himalayas

Sadhana Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,130m (10,269ft) above sea level, located in the Tangdar in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, in India.

Komic

How to get to Komic in India, one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth?

Komic is a high mountain town at an elevation of 4.572m (15,049ft) above sea level, located in Lahaul and Spiti district of Northen indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Chanshal Pass

An awe-inspiring road to Chanshal Pass through remote areas

Chanshal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,800m (12,467ft) above sea level, located in the Shimla district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. To reach the summit, you will be driving on some of the narrowest roads you have ever been on, barely wide enough for one car in certain stretches.

Manjur-Mulli Road

43 hairpin bends on the steep road from Manjur to Mulli

Located on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India, the road from Manjur to Mulli is one of the steepest drives in the country. The curvy road is a bit challenging, but the scenery is worth the ride.

Bomdi La

Driving the wild road to Bomdi La Pass

Bomdi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.608m (8,556ft) above sea level, located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India.

Lachulung La

Lachulung La: enjoy a drive among the clouds

Lachulung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.059m (16,598ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) in India.

Mughal Road

Driving the Mughal Road is a Dizzying Experience in the Pir Panjal Range

The Mughal Road is a scenic yet challenging drive located in Jammu and Kashmir, in northern India.

Pensi La

The wild road to Pensi La in India

Pensi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,494m (14,744ft) above sea level located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, in India.

Nubra Valley-Pangong Tso Road

Travelling the road from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso

The road linking Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso (Spangmik) via Agham – Shyok villages is located in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The journey offers an exhilarating driving experience, with superb views.

Malling Nala

The unnerving and treacherous road to Malling Nala is not for those with vertigo or a fear of landslides

Malling Nala is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,875m (12,713ft) above sea level, located in Himachal Pradesh, India. The pass is notorious for landslides, rushing water, and general chaos. People suffering from vertigo are advised not to look outside, as the views can be both unnerving and harsh.

Dalhousie-Khajjiar road

Driving the dizzying road from Dalhousie to Khajjiar

Located in the northwestern part of Himachal, in India, driving the challenging road from Dalhousie to Khajjiar is no easy task.

Roghi village

The Road to Roghi Village in the Himalayas Is Not for People with Vertigo

Roghi is a high mountain village at an elevation of 2,754m (9,035ft) above sea level, located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, in India. The road to the town is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world and is definitely not for people who have vertigo.

Pir Ki Gali Pass

Pir Ki Gali Pass is the highest point on the Mughal Road

Pir Ki Gali Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,485 m (11,433 ft) above sea level, located in Jammu and Kashmir, in India.

Banihal Pass

Travel guide to the top of Banihal Pass

Banihal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,157m (7,076ft) above sea level, located in the Ramban district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

NH 183A

Driving the NH 183A Road in Kerala is Not for the Faint of Heart

NH 183A is a curvy mountain road located in the state of Kerala, in South India. It can become very slippery after rain, making it challenging to navigate.

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach: a must do in India

Located in the Kannur district of Kerala, in India, Muzhappilangad Beach is the only drive-in beach in Asia. With 4 km of firm sand and shallow water, it attracts cars and motorcyclists from everywhere. Just be sure to avoid getting salt water on your vehicle.

Varandha Ghat Valley View

The Scenic Road to Varandha Ghat is Not for the Faint-Hearted

Varandha Ghat is a mountain pass at an elevation of 545m (1,788ft) above sea level, located in the state of Maharashtra, in India.

Kyagar Tso

The road to Kyagar Tso Lake is truly an unforgettable experience

Kyagar Tso is a very small saline lake at an elevation of 4,705 meters (15,436 feet) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gurudongmar Lake

A paved road to the glacial Gurudongmar Lake

Gurudongmar Lake is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 5,154 m (16,909 ft) above sea level, located in the Indian state of Sikkim. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Kolleru Wood Bridge

The Kolleru Wood Bridge is not for the sissies

Located  in West Godavari district of the Indian state Andhra Pradesh, the Kolleru Wood Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Sangetsar Lake

A Very Bumpy, Grueling Road to Sangetsar Lake

Sangetsar Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,708m (12,165ft) above sea level, located in the Tawang district in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh, in India. It’s one of the world’s famous hairpin roads.

Sirsir La

The Breathtaking Road to Sirsir La

Sirsir La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,804m (15,761ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Kondaveedu Fort

How to get by car to Kondaveedu Fort in Andhra Pradesh?

Kondaveedu Fort is an ancient hill fortress at an elevation of 292m (958ft) above sea level, located in Guntur district, in the Coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Kaobal Gali

The Road to Kaobal Gali is Recommended for Drivers with Strong Nerves

Kaobal Gali is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,167m (13,671 ft) above sea level, located in the northern part of India.

Gongkar La

Take the Scenic Road and Discover Gongkar La

Gongkar La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,811m (15,784ft) above sea level, located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Gangotri Road

Driving the Road with Vertical Cliffs and No Guardrails to Gangotri

Gangotri is a small town located in the northern part of Uttarakhand, India, at an elevation of 3,415m (11,204ft) above sea level. The road to the town runs along vertical cliffs without guardrails.