What are the highest roads in Nepal?

Nepal is home to some of the highest and most remote roads in the world, shaped by the country’s extreme Himalayan terrain and limited infrastructure. Located between India and China, Nepal rises sharply from lowland plains to eight of the world’s fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, creating an environment where transportation routes must navigate steep valleys, unstable slopes, and high-altitude passes. Many of these roads serve as essential links for trade, local travel, and access to isolated communities, despite their exposure to landslides, seasonal closures, and unpredictable weather.

The highest roads in Nepal are typically found in the northern districts bordering Tibet, including regions such as Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim Provinces. These routes often follow ancient trading corridors that have been gradually widened into rough tracks or partially engineered roads. Surface conditions range from paved sections near major towns to long stretches of gravel, rock, or dirt at higher elevations.

This list highlights Nepal’s highest driveable mountain passes—routes that stand out for their elevation, remoteness, and geographical significance. Each pass offers insight into the challenges of road building in the Himalayas and the realities of travel in some of the most rugged terrain on the planet.

Pic: Sim Reaney

 

 

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