What are the most spectacular roads in Kazakhstan?

Tucked away in the central part of Asia, Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world. Due to its size, the country has countless spectacular roads, running through steppes, deserts and mountains. Remember to check carefully the weather before venturing on any drive as its climate ranges from arid and semi-arid in the south to continental in the north, with extreme temperatures in winter and summer.

With such a geography, and sharing borders with 5 countries: Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, the country is worth a visit. The most popular drive of the country is the Austrian Road, so-called because it was built by Austro-Hungarian WW1 prisoners in 1915. If you prefer driving on high mountain roads, Ozerny Pass is an international border pass at 3,514m (11,528ft) above sea level, on the border with Kyrgyzstan. It's said to be one of the most treacherous drives in the area.

The Austrian Road, so-called because it was built by Austro-Hungarian WW1 prisoners in 1915, is a marvel of engineering located in the Altai Mountains of East Kazakhstan. Its remoteness and lack of other traffic mean you should be able to take care of yourself.

The Western Europe-Western China (WE-WC) Highway is a transcontinental expressway linking China's Yellow Sea coast with Western Europe. It is a key transportation route connecting Europe and Asia.

M32 is one of the main highways in Kazakhstan. It crosses the country, running from the Russian border towards the border with Kyrgyzstan. It’s a good road for those who wish to undertake a journey through the heart of the country.

Pereval Ozernyy is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,514m (11,528ft) above sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It's said to be one of the most treacherous drives in the area.

Located in central Kazakhstan, driving the road from Jezkazgan to Kyzylorda is a daunting challenge, not for the faint of heart.

Burkhatskiy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,137m (7,011ft) above sea level, located in the Katonkaragay district of the East Kazakhstan Region.

A27 is a major route in Kazakhstan. It’s an epic road trip linking the Russian border to Aktobe.

Located in Ogland in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan, the Underground Mosque of Sacred Beket Ata is a religious monument that dates back to the XVIII century.

Alatajsky Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,792m (5,879ft) above sea level, located in the East Kazakhstan Region.

The Tian-Shan astronomical observatory and Space Station of the Physical and Technical Institute (known as Kosmostantsiya) is an observatory at an elevation of 3.381m (11,092ft) above the sea level, located in Kazakhstan.

Pereval Ketmen' is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.037m (9,963ft) above the sea level, located in Almaty Region, in south-eastern Kazakhstan, near the Chinese border.

Pereval Maydantal is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.544m (11,627ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The climb is a series of narrow zigzags, with some impressive drops to the valley below.

Located in the Almaty region of southern Kazakhstan, Charyn Canyon has been carved by the Charyn (Sharyn) River over millions of years.

Pereval Chon-Kokkiya is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.790m (9,153ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Pereval Talgarskiy is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.164m (10,380ft) above the sea level, located in the Talğar District of Almaty Region in Kazakhstan.

Pereval Chunkuris an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.111m (10,206ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Pik Lokomotiv is a high mountain peak located in the Talğar District of Almaty Region in Kazakhstan.

Pereval Ak-Kiya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.027m (9,931ft) above the sea level, located in Talgar District of Almaty Region in the southeastern part of Kazakhstan.

Emba 5, now known as Zhem, is a former Soviet military base located in western Kazakhstan. Once part of a Cold War testing complex, it has been mostly abandoned and faded from use. The road to reach it is long, rough, and passes through remote terrain, but it's still possible to get there by car. Here's what to know about the site - and the road that leads to it.

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