How to Get by Car to Guzeldere Gecidi in Van Province?
Güzeldere Geçidi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,763m (9,064ft) above sea level, located in Van Province, in Turkey. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
Where Is Güzeldere Geçidi?
The pass is located on the boundary between Gürpınar and Başkale districts, in the southeastern part of the country, near the Iranian border.
How Challenging Is Güzeldere Geçidi?
The road through the pass is fully paved. It’s part of the old D975 road. It is a place that can be called a nightmare for drivers traveling in winter. The curves are quite narrow and it has many sharp bends. It is a region where dozens of accidents occur every year. The climb is pretty steep and hits a maximum gradient of 6%. Due to its elevation and condition, the road was bypassed by a 3,100m tunnel known as Güzeldere Tüneli.
How Long Is Güzeldere Geçidi?
The road through the pass is 8.7km (5.40miles) long, starting and ending on the new tunnel. Despite being bypassed by a tunnel, the road is still used by busy trucks and lorries as it connects Hakkari and many districts to Van.
Is Güzeldere Geçidi Open in Winter?
At this elevation, the road is closed often in winters, and subject to heavy storms and snowfalls. It’s one of the highest paved roads in Turkey.
How to Get Higher at Güzeldere Geçidi?
A communication tower and military installations are located to the northeast of the pass, at an elevation of 2,847m (9,340ft) above sea level. The road is totally unpaved and steep, with five hairpin turns. The ascent is 1km (0.62miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 84meters. The average gradient is 8.4%.