
Driving the paved road to Lavash Pass in the Alborz Mountains
Iran, asia
63 km
3,151 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure awaits in Northern Iran! Lavash Pass, clocking in at a whopping 3,151 meters (that's 10,337 feet!), is one of the highest routes you can find in the country. The pavement's pretty decent for most of the 63km (39 miles) stretch between Pol-e Zanguleh and Baladeh, but don't get too comfy!
This isn’t a Sunday drive; expect a wild ride filled with endless curves, hairpin turns that'll test your skills, and some seriously steep climbs along narrow roads.
Nestled high in the Alborz Mountains, this road turns treacherous in winter. Seriously, pack those chains! Ice and snow are common, and the white stuff often sticks around until late May. The views, though? Totally worth the white-knuckle drive!
Where is it?
Driving the paved road to Lavash Pass in the Alborz Mountains is located in Iran (asia). Coordinates: 35.3012, 52.7658
Road Details
- Country
- Iran
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 63 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,151 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 35.3012, 52.7658
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