Driving the paved road to Lavash Pass in the Alborz Mountains

Driving the paved road to Lavash Pass in the Alborz Mountains

Iran, asia

Length

63 km

Elevation

3,151 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

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 isnโ€™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

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Iran
Continent
asia
Length
63 km
Max Elevation
3,151 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
35.3012, 52.7658

Related Roads in asia

What to Do in India: 16 Unique Travel Destinationsmoderate

What to Do in India: 16 Unique Travel Destinations

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India

Alright, buckle up for the Leh-Manali Highway, a high-altitude stunner stretching almost 480 km (around 298 miles) through the Himalayas! This isn't your average Sunday drive โ€“ we're talking serious elevation gains, topping out around 5,328 meters (17,480 feet) at Taglang La pass. The views? Epic! Think snow-capped peaks, rugged valleys, and landscapes that will blow your mind. The road is usually only open from late May or early June to mid-October, thanks to heavy snowfall. Now for the reality check: this road is not for the faint of heart. Expect narrow, winding sections, unpaved stretches that'll test your suspension, and potential hazards like landslides and unpredictable weather. Acclimatizing to the altitude is crucial before you even think about tackling this route. But if you're prepared for the challenge, the Leh-Manali Highway is an adventure you'll never forget.

Crossing the infamous Tattu Bridgehard

Crossing the infamous Tattu Bridge

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ Pakistan

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region lies what's left of the Tattu Bridge, once the gateway to the legendary Fairy Meadows Road. This old wooden structure, while no longer in use, is still a sight to behold. Picture this: a narrow, unpaved road clinging to the mountainside with, um, zero guardrails. Seriously! At some point, the road shrinks so much that you have to ditch the car and proceed on foot or by bike. And the bridge? Well, it's out of commission, deemed too risky for vehicles (though locals used it just a short time ago!). A bypass road has been built. At 29.13 meters (95.57 feet) long, the bridge is a cool place to stop for photos before you hit Tattu village. Just a word of warning: admiring is fine, climbing is a no-no! The bridge is in rough shape and not maintained. It was built by Brigadier M. Aslam Khan and the local people. But even now, just imagining vehicles crossing this precarious bridge gives you a thrill!

Where is Kongta La?hard

Where is Kongta La?

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a killer pass for your bucket list: Kongta La. Nestled high in the Himalayas, in northern India's Jammu and Kashmir, this baby hits a staggering 16,492 feet! We're talking seriously stunning scenery in the Pangong range, just west of the unreal blue of Pangong Tso lake. Locals call it Kangju Kangri, which basically means "revered mountain" โ€“ and trust me, you'll feel some type of way when you're up there. Heads up: this isn't your Sunday drive. The entire route is unpaved, so a 4x4 is a MUST. And if you get carsick easily, maybe pack some ginger chews, because there are hairpin turns galore! Some sections are crazy steep, so get ready for a white-knuckle ride. This epic dirt track stretches for 52.75 miles from Tangtse to Chushul, running north to south. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Is the road to Kori La paved?moderate

Is the road to Kori La paved?

๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡น Bhutan

Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers, because the Bumthang-Ura Highway (PNH1) to Kori La is a wild ride! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a (mostly) paved journey, built back in the 90s, that stretches from Chamkhar to Trashigang. Now, I said paved...but "paved" is a generous term. Be prepared for some seriously rough patches, maybe even some gravel surprises! But hey, that's part of the adventure, right? This road hugs the landscape for , winding its way through some seriously stunning scenery. Think deep, lush forests, bursting with rhododendron trees โ€“ nature's eye candy at its finest! Heads up: Kori La sits high up, so expect it to be shrouded in mist a lot of the time. And because we're talking a significant elevation, snow can definitely cause closures, especially in winter. It's strange that in April and May there is no snow at this height. So, keep an eye on the forecast before you go. But when it's clear, and the road is open, the views are absolutely worth the white-knuckle driving. Just take it slow, be mindful of the narrow sections, and soak it all in!