What are the most spectacular roads in Nepal?

Set high in the Himalayas, Nepal is home to the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. The country is very mountainous, and so are most of the roads in the country, climbing up to stunning elevations. So, when traveling to Nepal, get ready to experience countless 4x4 adventures like never before. Most of them are very risky, so you’ll need to drive carefully. You can start with the Manang Road, a dangerous drive leading to Manang, a small mountain town at an elevation of 3,776m (12,388ft) above sea level, located in Gandaki Province.

Bordered by China and India, the country covers an area of 147,516 square kilometers. Nepal is known for its mountainous terrain, with eight of the world's ten highest peaks located within its borders. Due to the difficult topography of the country, many roads are very dangerous: the amazing BP Highway, where you have to be careful as the road with sharp turns is pretty narrow; Arniko Highway, the road where ‘one mistake, game over,’ that provides Nepal’s overland link with Tibet and China; or the Karnali Highway, a true lethal adventure. Due to its danger, the police have banned driving at night on this road due to the high number of fatal accidents. The landscape is characterized by deep valleys, glaciated peaks, and fast-flowing rivers

Located in Nepal, Supa Deurali Temple (Supa Deural Mandir) is a mountain temple at an elevation of 1,509m (4,950ft) above sea level.

Manang is a small mountain town at an elevation of 3,776m (12,388ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Lamjung and Manang districts of Gandaki Province, in Nepal.

Located in the heart of eastern Nepal, BP Highway is a very scenic journey with stunning views. You have to be careful on your drive as the road, with sharp bends, is narrow.

Prithvi Highway, situated in Nepal, is a notoriously challenging road. Known for its hazardous conditions, it poses risks to drivers navigating its twists and turns.

The infamous Arniko Highway is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. It provides Nepal’s overland link with Tibet and China. "One mistake, game over".

Tucked away in the Karnali Region of Nepal, Karnali Highway is said to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. The police have banned driving at nights on this road due the high number of fatal accidents.

China-Nepal Highway is the name of a very scenic drive on the Tibetan Plateau. It’s regarded as one of the best overland journeys on Earth. The road tops out at 5,260 m (17,260 ft) above sea level.

China National Highway 318 (G318) is a challenging road running from Shanghai to Zhangmu, the westernmost border with Nepal. It is said to be the longest highway in China.

Simbhanjyang Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.488m (8,162ft) above sea level, located in the Bagmati Province of Nepal. The road is narrow and riddled with potholes. As a result, vehicles on the edge of the road lose control.

F042 is a highly challenging road located in the heart of the Mustang District of western Nepal. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward.

Located in the Lumbini Zone of central Nepal, the road from Rudrabeni to Ridi is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness.

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.

Kora La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,621m (15,160ft) above sea level, located in the Mustang District of Nepal.

Nyi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,932m (12,900ft) above sea level, located in the remote and inaccessible region of Upper Mustang in Nepal.

Jumla Airport is a high-mountain airport at an elevation of 2,347m (7,700ft) above sea level, located in the Jumla District in Province No. 6 of Nepal.

Thorong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,514m (14,809ft) above sea level, located in Mustang District in the Dhaulagiri Zone of Nepal.

Chandragiri Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,553 m (8,375 ft) above sea level, located in Kathmandu District in Bagmati Pradesh of Nepal. It’s one of the most iconic and touristic places in the Kathmandu Valley.

Imja Khola is a high mountain glacier on the slopes of Mount Everest, in the Nepalese Cukung Valley, at an elevation of 5.156m (16,916ft) above the sea level.

Nara La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.507m (14,786ft) above the sea level, located in the Karnali Zone of north-western Nepal.

Tsarang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.870m (12,696ft) above the sea level, located in the remote and inaccessible region of Upper Mustang, in the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, in north-central Nepal.

Tipta La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.118m (16,791ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal. It’s an important trade route.

Dajori La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.600m (11,811ft) above the sea level, located in the remote and inaccessible region of Upper Mustang, in the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, in north-central Nepal.

Yamda La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.986m (13,077ft) above the sea level, located in the remote and inaccessible region of Upper Mustang, in the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, in north-central Nepal.

Located in the Western Region of Nepal, the narrow Keladighat Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Nyalu Lagna Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.995m (16,387ft) above the sea level, located in the Karnali Zone of north-western Nepal.

Namja La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.005m (16,420ft) above the sea level, located on the Nepal-China border.

Pulchoki Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.757m (9,045ft) above the sea level, located in Lalitpur District in Bagmati Pradesh, Central Nepal.

Morang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.292m (14,081ft) located in Mustang District of Gandaki Province of Nepal.

Mui La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.142m (13,589ft) above the sea level, located in the remote and inaccessible region of Upper Mustang, in the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, in north-central Nepal.

Lapche La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.933m (16,184ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal.

Syangboche La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.826m (12,552ft) above the sea level, located in the remote and inaccessible region of Upper Mustang, in the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, in north-central Nepal.

Siyaba La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.847m (15,902ft) above the sea level, located on the border of China and Nepal.

Bhena La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.838m (12,591ft) above the sea level, located in the remote and inaccessible region of Upper Mustang, in the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, in north-central Nepal.

Tiri La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.856m (12,650ft) above the sea level, located in the Upper Mustang, in the Dhawalagiri Zone of northern Nepal.

Latha Bhanjyang is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.112m (6,929ft) above the sea level, located in Lalitpur District in Bagmati Pradesh of Nepal.

Bima Lojun La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.451m (14,603ft) above the sea level, located in the Upper Mustang, in the Dhawalagiri Zone of northern Nepal.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.