Highway A363/Issyk-Kul Lake
Kyrgyzstan, asia
170 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Cruising around Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake on Highway A363 is an absolute must-do! This scenic loop hugs the shoreline of the "hot lake" (that's what Issyk-Kul means!), which is so deep it never freezes.
The A363 loops for about 491 km and offers incredible views of the lake and surrounding Tian Shan mountains. Be warned: the pavement can be a little rough in spots, and some sections get pretty narrow, so keep your eyes on the road! You'll likely encounter some other traffic along the way.
Keep an eye out on the south shore for a massive carving of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's face etched into a rock - a relic from the lake's Soviet-era days as a resort and submarine testing ground. Road work or bad weather might cause temporary closures, but that just adds to the adventure, right?
Road Details
- Country
- Kyrgyzstan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 170 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
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