Daring Adventure: Driving from Kishtwar to Keylong, India's Most Terrifying Road
Located on the border between the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in India, driving from Kishtwar to Keylong is one of the most terrifying experiences in the world.
Is the road from Kishtwar to Keylong scary?
Part of the National Highway 26, and running along the Chenab river, the cliffhanger road is totally unpaved. It’s carved into the side of a cliff. The one lane path had no guard rail and the overhanging cliff is so low that the cars barely fit, with over a 2,000ft drop, and rocks hanging down obstructing your view of oncoming traffic. This is a road hacked across a vertical cliff face and driving it is a spine tingling mix of heady exhilaration and sheer fear. This terrifying and narrow high mountain windy road has no guard rail or secure edging and views of the valley approximately 2000 feet below.
How long is the road from Kishtwar to Keylong?
The road is 235 km (146 miles) long and runs from Kishtwar (in the Jammu region in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir) to Keylong (in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh). If your GPS ever thinks it's a good idea to drive on this road, it may be time to get a new one! It's a narrow, windy road with no guard rail or secure edging for about 100 miles, with views of the valley thousands of feet below. This mind numbing road is a delight for adventure junkies and offroaders but comes with a warning. A poerwful 4x4 vehicle with high clearance is highly recommended.
Is the road from Kishtwar to Keylong dangerous?
The road is very steep, with an elevation gain of 2.000 meters (from 1.410m to 3.005m above the sea level). Some tourists dubbed the track the 'Almost Killer' Road. The Border Roads Organization and J&K State PWD have done a brilliant job by constructing roads in the middle of nowhere and a record number of people have sacrificed their lives to make this road a reality. Waterfalls with water crossing the road are a main concern. This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. Traversing this road call caution, confidence and consideration towards oncoming traffic. Stick to the centre as the edges can sometimes simply crumble away. It`s nicknamed The Cliffhanger due to the narrow passage where cars rarely take this route; forget buses. Some of the turns are crazy with plenty of blind-spots. Snowfall can leave the area in complete isolation.
Pic: stranger universe