A dramatic road to the summit of Salsal La

A dramatic road to the summit of Salsal La

India, asia

Length

79.4 km

Elevation

5,201 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Salsal La! This epic high-altitude pass punches through the Himalayas in southeastern Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India, clocking in at a staggering 17,063 feet!

Hidden near the China border, this road to the summit, sometimes called Salaal La, is gnarly – mostly unpaved and usually snowed in from October to June. Summer's brief and sweet, but watch out for random thunderstorms (hail, anyone?). Winter? Think Arctic. The road's fairly level, but don't be surprised by some ramps with a 6.7% gradient.

Snaking for about 49 miles between Nyoma and Chumar, you'll be surrounded by insane cliffs and peaks in the Changtang region of the Tibetan Plateau. This road is remote, seriously remote, and permits can be tricky, so you won't see many other travelers. Definitely bring a 4x4! Altitude sickness is a real concern, so take it slow and hydrate. But hey, the views of Ryul Lake are totally worth it!

Where is it?

A dramatic road to the summit of Salsal La is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 19.2979, 76.5106

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Road Details

Country
India
Continent
asia
Length
79.4 km
Max Elevation
5,201 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
19.2979, 76.5106

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