How to Drive the Challenging D955 Road in Turkey?
D955 is a challenging mountain road located in the eastern part of Turkey, with many mountain passes with an altitude above 2000m above sea level.
Where Does D955 Road Start and End?
The state highway runs north-south from Ardahan's Posof district, at the Türkgözü border crossing (Türkgözü Sınır Kapısı) on the border with Georgia, where it connects to road S8, to the Turkey/Syria border in the south of Mardin. From the border with Georgia to near Ardahan, it is part of European route E691.
How Long is D955 Road?
The road is 565 km (351 miles) long. It’s fully paved (in poor condition in parts) and features countless turns, many steep parts and very challenging driving conditions in the winter. It features heavy traffic in parts.
Is D955 Road open in winter?
The road crosses six mountain passes with an altitude above 2000 m:
- Between Posof and Damal: Ilgar Pass 2,550m (8,366ft)
- Between Ardahan and Göle: Cankurtaran Pass 2,150m (7,053ft)
- Between Narman and Pasinler: Çimenli Pass 2.337m (7,667ft)
- Between Köprüköy and Hınıs: Çatalören (2.363m-7,752ft), Dadaş (2.357m-7,732ft), and Akören (2,105m-6,906ft).
The highway is typically open year-round, but heavy snow, thick fog, and intense cold are common, leading to regular road closures during the winter due to dangerous driving conditions.
