
Driving the illegal road to Namgung La
Bhutan, asia
5.7 km
4,830 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! We're heading to Namgung La, also called Lengmugong La, way up in the Lhuntse District of Bhutan. At a whopping 4,830m (15,846ft), this is one of the highest roads in the country, and trust me, it's an experience.
Forget the pavement โ this is an unpaved, rugged adventure that demands a 4x4. Word on the street is this road was built illegally, adding a bit of mystery to the journey. Get ready for some seriously steep sections with gradients hitting 10% as you climb.
The road stretches for 5.7 km (3.54 miles) from the Chinese border to the breathtaking Leng Mugogcuo lake. This isn't just a drive; it's a climb to the top of the world with views that will stay with you long after you've descended. Get ready for some unbelievable landscapes!
Where is it?
Driving the illegal road to Namgung La is located in Bhutan (asia). Coordinates: 27.4201, 90.0401
Road Details
- Country
- Bhutan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 5.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,830 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 27.4201, 90.0401
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