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.

Depsang La

Road Trip Guide: Conquering Depsang La

Depsang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,376 m (17,637 ft) above sea level, located in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Tso Lhamo Lake

A new paved road to Tso Lhamo Lake

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.

Tso Kar Lake

A paved mountain road to Tso Kar Lake

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.

Kiu La

How to drive to the 5,711m summit of Kiu La?

Kiu La is an extreme high-altitude mountain pass reaching an elevation of 5,711m (18,736ft) above sea level, situated on the international border between China (Tibet) and India (Ladakh). As one of the highest mountain passes of India and the world, it represents a pinnacle of high-altitude logistics. The 29.3 km unpaved road starts from Banying Xian and climbs through the Himalayas, serving as a critical military corridor that is strictly impassable during the winter months due to extreme snow accumulation and sub-zero thermal conditions.

Daulat Beg Oldi

A Road to Daulat Beg Oldi, a High Mountain Military Base

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.

Badrinath Temple

Extreme weather conditions on the road to Badrinath Temple

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

Polongka La

A Paved Mountain Road to Polongka La in Southern Ladakh

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.

Rajmachi

How To Drive the Road to Rajmachi in Maharashtra?

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

Imis La

A difficult unpaved road to the international Imis La

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.

Shansha Bridge

Crossing the spectacular Shansha Bridge in India

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.

Korzok

How to get by car to Korzok, one of the highest towns in India

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.

Kongka La

Kongka La is pure adventure

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.

Jyotirmath-Malari road

A steep cliff road from Jyotirmath to Malari

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

How to Get by Car to Lamayuru Monastery in Ladakh?

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.

Natha Top

How to get to the summit of Natha Top in Jammu and Kashmir?

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.

Jot Pass

An awe-inspiring road to Jot Pass in Himachal Pradesh

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.

Jalebi bends

Jalebi bends: 23 hairpin bends on the old road to Fotu La

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.

Namshang La

Driving the Scenic Paved Mountain Road to Namshang La

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.

Demchok-Dêmqog Border

How to get by car to the challenging Demchok-Demqog Border?

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.

Kungzhag La

Kungzhag La is one of the World's highest motorable roads

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.

Kaldang Kildang La

Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Kaldang Kildang La

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.

Umba La

The road to Umba La is for drivers with strong nerves only

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.

Rangdum Monastery

How to Get by Car to Rangdum Monastery in the Ladakh Region?

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.

Padri Pass

Travel guide to the top of Padri Pass

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

Sapi La

How to Drive the Hairpinned Road to Sapi La?

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.

Tso Moriri

How to drive the beautiful road to Lake Moriri in northern India?

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.

Ane La

How to drive the military road to the summit of Ane La?

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.

Tsaka La

Driving the wild unpaved road to Tsaka La in the Himalayas

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

Mayudia Pass

An Explorer's Guide to the Mayudia Pass

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.

Driving the Hindustan-Tibet Road: A Challenging Adventure on India's NH-22

Driving the Hindustan-Tibet Road: A Challenging Adventure on India's NH-22

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.

Rezang La

Can civilians drive to Rezang La on the India-China border?

Rezang La, also known as Rechin La, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,199m (17,057ft) above sea level, located on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between Indian-administered Ladakh and the Chinese-administered Spanggur Lake basin. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge

Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge is said to be India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge

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.

Kumbhe Waterfall

Traversing the Tunnel Beneath Kumbhe Waterfall: Maharashtra's Majestic Intersection

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

Hamboting La

Hamboting La

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.

Namika La

A memorable road trip to Namika La in the Himalayas

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

Patni Top

If you love to drive, you’ll love the Patni Top road

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.

Sengge La

Travel guide to the top of Singge La

Sengge La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.952m (16,246ft) above the sea level, located in the Zanskar region in the state of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir in northern India.

Murgum La

The road to Murgum La is not for the faint of heart

Murgum La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.397m (14,425ft) above the sea level, located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.