What are the most spectacular roads in Kyrgyzstan?

Located in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a dream come true for every driver, with stunning mountain roads. The country, one of the smaller Central Asian states, covers an area of 199,951 square kilometers and shares borders with 4 countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China.

With over 90% of its landmass lying above 1,500 meters in elevation, it’s easy to see why drivers will be able to discover high mountain roads like Torugart Pass, a challenging border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and China, at 3.752m (12,310ft) above sea level; or Tossor Pass, a thrilling (scary) off road experience, at 3,901m (12,798ft) above sea level, in the Issyk-Kul Region. The country offers many 4x4 experiences, such as the road to Kok-Airyk Pass, only passable on July and August, at an elevation of 3.850m (12,631ft) above sea level. Driving through the pass, the driver will negotiate about 15 snaking sections of uncovered road with some stony places. Kyrgyzstan experiences a continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers, with significant regional variations due to its mountainous topography. For those seeking the most defiant drives, don’t forget to check out our content about the highest roads in Kyrgyzstan.

Torugart Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.752m (12,310ft) above sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

The historical Pamir Highway (M41) is an excellent challenge for 4x4 adventure travelers. Most of the road is paved (in very bad conditions) and stretches more than 1,200km between Osh (in Kyrgyzstan) and Dushanbe (in Tajikistan) through the Pamir Mountains. The road is heavily damaged in places by erosion, earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches.

Kyrgyzstan is a high mountain country located in Central Asia. Over ninety percent of the country is mountainous territory, so almost any journey, anywhere in the country involves crossing over a mountain pass.

Pereval Tossor is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,901m (12,798ft) above sea level, located in the Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Töö Ashuu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,576m (11,732ft) above sea level, located in the Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan. This is definitely not a Sunday drive. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with dangerous drop-offs.

Song Köl is an alpine lake at an elevation of 3,048m (10,000ft) above sea level, located in northern Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan.

Töö Ashuu Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 3.180m (10,433ft) above sea level, located in the Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Kok Airyk is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.850m (12,631ft) above sea level, located in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. Driving through the pass, the driver will negotiate about 15 snaking sections of uncovered road with some stony places. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Moldo-Ashuu Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.346m (10,977ft) above sea level, located in the Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan. It's one of the most famous hairpinned roads in the world.

Pereval Kegety is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.785m (12,417ft) above sea level, located in the Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Pereval Taldyk is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,615m (11,860ft) above sea level, located in the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Kyzylart Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.292m (14,081ft) above sea level located on the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in the At-Bashy district of the Naryn region in Kyrgyzstan, Tash Rabat is a stone caravanserai—an extensive network of traveler’s inns along old caravan roads—in the middle of nowhere.

Pereval Barskaun is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.760m (12,335ft) above sea level, located in the Region Issyk-Kul, in Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Seok Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,024m (13,202ft) above sea level, located in the Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. 

Erkeshtam Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.838m (9,311ft) above sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China. This is a popular border crossing for travelers journeying across Central Asia.

Dolon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,030 m (9,940 ft) above sea level, located in the Naryn Province of Kyrgyzstan.

Chong Ashuu Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,011m (13,159ft) above sea level, located in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Pereval Ala-Bel is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,175m (10,416ft) above sea level, located in Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Arabel is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,839m (12,595ft) above sea level, located in the southern part of the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Pereval Kaldama is a high-mountain pass at an elevation of 2,992m (9,816ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Naryn and Jalal-Abad regions of Kyrgyzstan.

Naryn river bridge is a wooden bridge located in the Naryn Province in central Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Kara-Keche Ashuu Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,384 meters (11,102 feet) above sea level, located in northern Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan.

Kyzyl-suu river bridge is an iron bridge located in the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. 

Pereval Teskeytorpo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.160m (10,367ft) above the sea level, located in the Kochkor District of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Ming-Tur is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.707m (12,162ft) above the sea level located in Ysyk-Köl, Kyrgyzstan.

Located in Ak-Suu District, southeast Issyk-Kul Region, in Kyrgyzstan, Engilchek mine was a tungsten, tin, molybdenum and other metals mine, topping out at 3.791m (12,437ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Uch-Chat Ashuu Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.731m (12,240ft) above the sea level, located in the Region Issyk-Kul, in eastern Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Pereval Akbeit (Ak-Beyit Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.289m (10,790ft) above the sea level, located in Naryn Region, in the east of Kyrgyzstan.

Located in the Issyk-Kul Region, in the northeastern corner of Kyrgyzstan, Road A-364 is a very exciting journey in the heart of the Tian Shan Mountains.

Pereval Kara-Buura (Black Bear Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,301m (10,830ft) above sea level, located in the Talas Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Kalmakashu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.446m (11,305ft) above the sea level, located in the Naryn province of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Kizol-bel’ is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.298m (10,820ft) above the the sea level, located in the Talas Region of Kyrgyzstan.

A367 is a high mountain road located in the Tian Shan Mountains, in the northern Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Located in the remote Issyk Kul province of Kyrgyzstan, Kumtor Gold Mine is the second-highest gold mining operation in the world, topping out at 4.460m (14,632ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Pereval Karakyr is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.043m (13,264ft) above sea level, located in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

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