How long is Nowjok Pass?

How long is Nowjok Pass?

Afghanistan, asia

Length

28 km

Elevation

2,722 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits on the Kotal-e Nowjok Pass in Afghanistan's Daykundi Province! We're talking serious altitude here—8,930 feet above sea level.

Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture 18 miles of pure, unpaved road winding through the heart of the country. The route stretches from Barghosang up to Qabcherakzar and is a real rollercoaster.

Expect potholes galore, seriously steep inclines, sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath, and drop-offs that'll make your palms sweat. Oh, and did I mention the hairpin turns? Hundreds of them!

Speaking of adventure, best stick to daylight hours for this one. Night driving? Hard pass. And, let's be real, driving anywhere in Afghanistan demands extra caution. Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you; this is one wild ride with stunning scenery and a serious dose of adrenaline!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Afghanistan
Continent
asia
Length
28 km
Max Elevation
2,722 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in asia

What are the highest roads in Nepal?extreme

What are the highest roads in Nepal?

🇳🇵 Nepal

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Nepal's roads are not for the faint of heart, but if you're craving epic views and adrenaline, you've come to the right place. Picture this: you're smack-dab between India and China, surrounded by the Himalayas, with eight of the world's tallest peaks towering above. Getting around? Let's just say it's an adventure in itself. These roads are lifelines for trade, locals, and remote communities, snaking through valleys and over passes. But be warned, Mother Nature throws curveballs – landslides, seasonal closures, and crazy weather are all part of the experience. You'll find the highest routes up north near Tibet, often following ancient trading paths. Expect a mixed bag of surfaces, from smooth pavement near towns to rugged gravel, rock, and dirt as you climb higher. We're talking about some seriously high-altitude passes here – routes that test your mettle with elevation, isolation, and mind-blowing landscapes. These aren't just roads; they're a testament to human ingenuity and a window into the raw beauty of the Himalayas. Think of the New Road from Jomsom to Rara Lake – it's a high-altitude frontier begging to be explored! And Khung La? That's strictly for experienced drivers with some serious off-roading skills.

How’s the Jumla Airport?extreme

How’s the Jumla Airport?

🇳🇵 Nepal

Okay, picture this: Jumla Airport, perched way up in the Himalayas at a breezy 7,700 feet! This little domestic airport is your gateway to exploring Nepal, with regular flights hopping to places like Kathmandu and Nepalgunj. The runway is a modest 2,198 feet long—nothing fancy, and definitely no late-night landings since there are no lights. Heads up: the airport's seen a bit of rough history, including a crash back in '08. But, it's a lifeline for the surrounding area, especially nearby Jumla, boosting trade and travel. Now, about getting there by land… get ready for the Karnali Highway! It's mostly paved, but throws in some gravel sections to keep things interesting as it snakes through the high mountains along the Karnali River. This road was finally finished in 2018! This isn't your average Sunday drive. It's a "challenging" road, to put it mildly. Think narrow bits, landslides, rocks, river crossings, potholes galore, huge drop-offs, and super steep cliffs, all coated in a thick layer of dust. Buckle up for a seriously bumpy ride! Clocking in at 144 miles, this road stretches northwest from Kohalpur to Jumla. Basically, you'll be hugging the Karnali River the entire way.

Is the road to Paye Lake dangerous?extreme

Is the road to Paye Lake dangerous?

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Siri Paye is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,025m (9,924ft) above sea level, located in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Is the road to Paye Lake dangerous? The road to the summit is mostly unpaved, narrow, and steep. It is not easy, with some turns that are hair-raising. New drivers are strongly advised against driving up here, especially those unfamiliar with such terrain. A 4x4 vehicle is required. How long is the road to Paye Lake? The trail is pretty steep. Starting at Kiwai, at 1,502m above sea level, the ascent is 13.8 km (8.57 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1,556 meters (5,105 feet). The average gradient is 11.2%, with some sections up to 15%. The more you travel up, the steeper and narrower the road gets. Is the road to Paye Lake open? Beware that you should not travel up here in harsh weather conditions like heavy rain or snowfall, as landslides and avalanches may occur at any time during such weather, making the area very risky. Heavy rainfall with some hail is also experienced often, in addition to hurricanes and thunder, surprising visitors and worsening the traffic situation. Monsoon winds bring heavy rains with occasional hailstorms. Unexpected thunderstorms and heavy rains keep the environment cool and sometimes create difficulties for visitors to move around. Warm clothes are recommended for nights due to low temperatures. Heavy snow covers the valley throughout the winter season. Is Paye Lake worth it? Set high in the Kaghan Valley, the area boasts scenic green mountains and snow-capped peaks, with a peaceful environment and natural beauty that is soul-soothing. Driving the terrifying road to Noori Top in Pakistan Fairy Meadows Road is the 2nd deadliest highway in the world Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

A remote unpaved road to Mata Lahard

A remote unpaved road to Mata La

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in southern Tibet, where Comai and Cona counties meet, you'll find Mata La, a seriously high mountain pass topping out at 5,348 meters (that's 17,545 feet!). About 22 miles northwest of the stunning Naryong Co. lake, this baby is accessed via the G219, and the road to the top? Completely unpaved. We're talking rugged, real-deal exploring here! This isn't a Sunday drive, folks. You're in serious mountain territory, scaling to insane altitudes, so that thin air is a real thing. Altitude sickness and crazy weather are always in play. The entire route sits above 4,500 meters, so be prepared! The pass road stretches for about 40.6 km (25.22 miles), heading north-southeast from Riru until it hits the 202 Provincial Road (S202). Keep in mind this area is really only accessible in the summer months — and even then, don't expect snow-free conditions until late June or July. Amenities? Forget about it. Electricity, medical assistance, running water? Rare as hen's teeth. Western toilets? Dream on! But hey, that's part of the adventure, right?