
A Winding Road Spiraling Up the Ngoan Muc Pass
Vietnam, asia
18.5 km
980 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits on the Ngoan Muc Pass in Vietnam's South Central Coast! This beauty, also known as Sông Pha Pass or Bellevue Pass, straddles the border between Lâm Đồng and Ninh Thuận provinces.
At the summit, which hits 980m (3,215ft), you'll find a waterfall, dreamy pine forests, and the historic Bellevue train station.
The road, National Highway 27 (QL27), is all paved, but don't let that fool you – it's a steep climb, with some sections reaching a 9% grade! You'll be gaining altitude quickly, rising from 200m to 980m over just 18.5km (11.49 miles), connecting the Ninh Sơn Valley to the Lang Biang Highlands. Expect hairpin turns and scenery that will leave you breathless.
Built way back in 1917, this pass is hailed as one of Vietnam's most stunning. The winding road, a masterpiece in itself, offers panoramic views of streams trickling down mountainsides and lush hills as far as the eye can see. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, some 55km away! It’s the highest pass in the south so get ready for an unforgettable drive!
Where is it?
A Winding Road Spiraling Up the Ngoan Muc Pass is located in Vietnam (asia). Coordinates: 16.3176, 106.5716
Road Details
- Country
- Vietnam
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 18.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 980 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 16.3176, 106.5716
Related Roads in asia
hardJingyangling Pass is worth the white-knuckle drive
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up, road trip adventurers! Today we're tackling Jingyangling Pass in China's Qinghai Province. Picture this: you're snaking your way up the G227, a fully paved road that climbs to a whopping 3,770m (12,368ft)! Located high in the Qilian Mountains, get ready for some serious hairpin turns. If your travel buddies get carsick easily, maybe pack some ginger ale! This isn't a Sunday drive - the road is steep, with gradients hitting 8% in places. Stretching for 67.9km (42.19 miles) between Ebuzhen and Yaocaoliang, Jingyangling Pass will throw some amazing views your way. Just remember, snow usually closes it from late October to late June/early July, so timing is everything! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure.
extremeA lovely trip on the paved Halsema Highway in the Philippines
🇵🇭 Philippines
# Halsema Highway: From Notorious to Legendary Once infamous as one of the world's most dangerous highways, the Halsema Highway has transformed into an absolutely thrilling mountain adventure. Every day, commuters, truckers, tourists, and locals navigate this stunning route through dramatic terrain—steep cliffs, hairpin turns, and jaw-dropping drop-offs that'll make your heart skip a beat (some plunging over 1,000 feet). But here's the good news: the road has been seriously upgraded, and now you can tackle this twisty mountain masterpiece on a smooth, well-maintained asphalt surface. The 150-km (93-mile) stretch of National Route 204 connects Baguio City to Bontoc in Mountain Province, winding through some of the Philippines' most remote and pristine areas. Opened back in 1930 under engineer Euseibus Julius Halsema (whose name stuck!), this "main artery" of the Cordillera's road system peaks at 2,300m (7,400ft) elevation near Atok—a record it held until recently. Fair warning: rainy season brings serious challenges. Landslides, thick mountain mist, slippery asphalt, and aggressive bus drivers can make conditions treacherous. Visibility plummets in the fog, and those rocks tumbling from above aren't just scenery. During the day though? Absolutely manageable in any vehicle, even a sedan, thanks to recent improvements. Just keep your fuel tank topped up, check your brakes and tires, downshift on those long descents, and skip night driving (no street lights out here). What you get in return? Pure magic. Cloud forests, sweeping vistas, glimpses of Sagada, and views that'll leave you breathless. Roll down the windows, feel that crisp mountain air, and make sure your camera's battery is fully charged. This legendary highway has earned its place in travel lore.
extremeHow To Travel The Road from Ka'erza to Yinkecun
🇨🇳 China
Okay adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride on the road from Ka'erza to Yinkecun, straddling the Garzê and Sichuan regions of China! This 38.8km (24.1 mile) route is mostly paved, so you *should* be able to tackle it in any vehicle when the weather's good. Don't get too comfy though! This climb is STEEP. We're talking gradients reaching a hefty 12% in places! And get ready to ascend – you'll be topping out at a dizzying 4,367m (14,327ft) above sea level. Remember, you're deep in the mountains, so be prepared for thin air and potentially wild weather. It's all part of the adventure!
easyExperience the Majesty of the Tianlongshan Highway: China's Road Above the Clouds
🇨🇳 China
Get ready to be blown away by the Tianlongshan Highway in China's Jinyuan District! This incredible highway, nestled in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, truly earns its nickname: the highway above the clouds. Built in just over a year, this 30km (18.64 mile) paved beauty will take your breath away. As you drive, you'll cross four impressive viaducts and pass through a tunnel. But the real kicker? The road climbs 350 meters, topping out at 1,364m (4,475ft) on Tianlong Mountain! The highlight is undoubtedly the mind-bending circular loop bridge. Imagine a three-story highway bridge soaring 350 meters into the air! It's been called a giant dragon coiled around the mountain, and honestly, that’s the only way to describe it. Seriously, this is one of the most spectacular bridges on the planet. Get ready for some seriously unforgettable views.