Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge is said to be India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge

Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge is said to be India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge

India, asia

Length

45 km

Elevation

4,358 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, buckle up adventure seekers! We're heading to Ladakh, India, to check out the Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge. This isn't just any bridge, folks, we're talking about India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge, towering 4,358m (14,297ft) above sea level!

You'll find this steel and concrete marvel nestled on the border of the Leh district, practically waving hello to Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin. This beauty spans 426 meters (1400 ft) over the Shyok River and forms part of the Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road (DS-DBO Road/DSDBO Road), also known as the Sub-Sector North Road (SSN Road).

This isn't just a scenic route, it's a strategic one, sitting just 45 km east of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. And with a width of 4.5 meters, it's built tough enough to handle vehicles up to 70 tons!

The best part? This bridge cuts travel time in half and opens up access to remote villages across the Shyok River. Get ready for some seriously breathtaking views and a true taste of adventure on this incredible road!

Where is it?

Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge is said to be India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 20.6060, 73.3414

Share this road

Road Details

Country
India
Continent
asia
Length
45 km
Max Elevation
4,358 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
20.6060, 73.3414

Related Roads in asia

Pendang La: enjoy a road among the cloudsmoderate

Pendang La: enjoy a road among the clouds

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure awaits! Let's talk about Pendang La, a seriously high mountain pass nestled in the Xigazê Prefecture of Tibet, China. We're talking 4,848 meters (that's 15,905 feet!) above sea level. You'll find it in western Tibet, and fair warning, the road to the top? Completely unpaved. It's called the X217, and it stretches for 188 km between Zhongba and Saga. Think epic scenery, but also think rough and rugged. Summer is really your only window of opportunity to tackle this one. Also, a heads up: this is seriously remote. Forget about finding things like electricity, medical help, or even the simple comforts of hot water and western-style toilets. This is a true off-the-grid experience!

A very bumpy, grueling road to Yamtse Lamoderate

A very bumpy, grueling road to Yamtse La

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a serious off-the-beaten-path experience, Yamtse La in Tibet is calling your name. Nestled way up in Kangmar County, bordering Sikkim, India, this pass hits a staggering 15,370 feet above sea level. Forget smooth asphalt; we're talking a remote, dusty track that demands a 4x4. And when winter hits, brace yourself for snow and seriously slick conditions. This isn't glamping, folks! Expect zero in the way of amenities. But here's the reward: The journey starts at the unreal Chumba Yumco, a turquoise lake shimmering under the Tibetan sky. The climb is only about 2.7 miles long and mostly flat but feels like another planet. Get ready for views that'll stay with you long after you've dusted off your boots.

Lowari Pass is the Grand Daddy of the passesextreme

Lowari Pass is the Grand Daddy of the passes

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Buckle up for Lowari Pass, aka "Hell's Road," in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Think of it as the Grand Daddy of hairpin turns, snaking up to a dizzying 10,230 feet. This stretch of the N45 connects Dir and Chitral through tribal lands bordering Afghanistan. Parts are paved, but don't be fooled; much of it quickly devolves into a super-rough dirt track that’ll test your suspension and your nerves for about 40 km straight! High in the Hindu Raj mountains, Lowari is a beast of a road, notorious for its steep climbs and impossibly narrow sections. Loaded trucks crawl along, their drivers navigating a gauntlet of tight turns and sheer cliffs. Avalanches are a real threat in winter, tragically claiming lives each year. The pass is usually shut down from late November to late May due to heavy snow. Originally built by the British, this road is not for the faint of heart. While the Lowari Tunnel (8.75km + 2km) now bypasses the most treacherous section, you're still in for an adrenaline-pumping ride. The tunnel is open to all vehicles and has a speed limit of 40 km/h. Get ready for a wild, unforgettable adventure with views that will leave you breathless... if the road doesn't first!

Dare to drive the dangerous Deosai Park Roadmoderate

Dare to drive the dangerous Deosai Park Road

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Ready for an epic adventure in Pakistan's Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan province? Deosai Park Road is calling your name! This 84km (52-mile) route snakes north to south from Skardu to Astore Valley Road, carving its way through raw, untamed beauty. Be warned: this isn't your average Sunday drive! You'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle the mostly unpaved terrain. Get ready to ford rivers on some seriously nail-biting bridges, including one of the most incredible you'll ever see. Nestled in Deosai National Park, the road climbs to dizzying heights, crossing Ali Malik Mar Pass (4,082m/13,392ft) and Chhachor Pass (4,209m/13,809ft). As you ascend, prepare to be mesmerized by countless lakes, including the shimmering Sheosar Lake and the aptly named Blind Lake, perched at a staggering 4,158m (13,641ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest lakes on Earth! Located on the Deosai Plains, the world's second-highest plateau after the Tibetan Plateau, squeezed between the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges, this road is a summer-only affair. From November to May, Deosai is buried under a blanket of snow. When the thaw arrives, access opens from Astore Valley in the west and Skardu in the north. Expect muddy conditions early in the season from melting snow, making the going tough. This "Land of Giants" is a winter wonderland turned summer dream, offering views you won't soon forget.