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.

Tso Kar is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4,530m (14,860ft) above sea level, located in the southern part of Ladakh in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Tso Lhamo Lake is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 5,330m (17,490ft) above sea level, located in North Sikkim, India. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Located in Uttarakhand, India, Badrinath is a mountain temple at an elevation of 3,133m (10,279ft) above sea level.

Kiu La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.711m (18,736ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Daulat Beg Oldi is a military base at an elevation of 5,067m (16,624ft) above sea level, located in the Jammu and Kashmir state of India. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Rajmachi is a mountain town at an elevation of 660m (2,165ft) above sea level, located in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Polongka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,844m (15,892ft) above sea level, located in the southern part of Ladakh in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Imis La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,290m (17,355ft) above sea level, situated on the border of India and China. It is one of the major passes over the main Himalayan Range and ranks among the highest roads in the country.

Located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, the Shansha Bridge is in very poor condition. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in the Ladakh region of the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Korzok is one of the highest towns in the country, at an elevation of 4,570m (15,000ft) above sea level.

The paved high mountain road from Jyotirmath to Malari road is located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, within the Nanda Devi National Park.

Lamayuru Monastery is a high mountain monastery at an elevation of 3,510m (11,515ft) above sea level, located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.

Kongka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,192m (17,034ft) above sea level, located in the disputed region of Aksai Chin along the Chinese-Indian Line of Control. This remote and rugged area lies at the intersection of Ladakh (administered by India) and Xinjiang (administered by China), making it a flashpoint in one of the most sensitive border disputes in Asia. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Jot Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,440m (8,005ft) above sea level, located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Natha Top is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,677m (8,782ft) above sea level, located in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Jalebi Bends, also known as Jalebi Road or the Old route to Fotu La, is a series of 23 hairpin bends located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.

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.

Namshang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,960m (16,273ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

NH 109K is the name of a paved road located in the state of Uttarakhand, in India. If your GPS ever thinks it's a good idea to drive on this road, it may be time to get a new one.

The Demchok-Dêmqog is a high mountain border at an elevation of 4,219m (13,841ft) above sea level, located on the border between India and China.

Umba La, also known as Umbala Top, is a high mountain pass standing at an elevation of 4.496m (14,750ft) above sea level. It is situated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, nestled within the Suru Valley near the Line of Control (LoC), which delineates the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled territories of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kaldang-Kildang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,095m (13,435ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of India.

Rangdum Monastery is a Buddhist site located at an elevation of 4,031 m (13,225 ft) above sea level, located in the Suru Valley, Ladakh, in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is accessible by road and stands in one of the most remote and high-altitude valleys in the region.

Kungzhag La is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5,780m (18,963ft) above sea level, located on the border between India and China. It’s one of the World's highest motorable roads.

Padri Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3037m (9963ft) above sea level, located in India.

Sapi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,397m (14,425ft) above sea level, located in the Kargil district of the Indian union territory of Ladakh. There are plenty of hairpin turns.

Ane La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,370m (17,618ft) above sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Tso Moriri is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.522m (14,836ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of India.

Tsaka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,646 m (15,242 ft) above sea level, located in Ladakh, India.

Located in the Indian state of Assam, the Chandana River Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

In the rugged landscapes of Ladakh of India, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under the Ministry of Defence, initiated a significant project in August 2023 – the construction of the country's highest motorable road. The Likaru-Mig La-Fukche road, covering approximately 64 kilometers (39.76 miles), aims to redefine the limits of motorable roads, reaching an impressive height of 5.913m (19,400ft) above the sea level, at Mig La.

At an elevation of 4.358m (14,297ft) above the sea level, Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge is India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge.

Rezang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.199m (17,057ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Hamboting La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.056m (13,307 ft) above the sea level, located in Ladakh region, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mayudia Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.645m (8,677ft) above the sea level, located in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Situated within the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, in India, the Kumbhe waterfall stands as a breathtaking spectacle amidst the serenity of nature.

Namika La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,823m (12,542ft) above sea level, located in Ladakh, India.

India is a country abandoned with a lot of interesting architecture. While it offers a variety of cultures, natural beauty, and adventure, the country has a lot to offer its visitors. The Hindustan-Tibet highway, for example, is a great place to go on an adventure ride.

Patnitop (or Patni Top) is a hilltop tourist location at an elevation of 2.048m (6,719ft) above the sea level, located in Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

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