How to drive the curvy paved road to Thrimshing La?
Bhutan, asia
256 km
3,682 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Bhutan's Bumthang District, about to tackle Thrimshing La, a.k.a. Trumshing La – a seriously high mountain pass that tops out at 3,682m (12,080ft)! We’re talking one of the highest routes in the whole country, carved right into the Black Mountains, which split central and eastern Bhutan.
This baby is part of the Primary National Highway 1 (PNH1), the Lateral Road, so it’s essential, but hold on tight! Think vertical cliffs, dense rhododendron forests, and crazy weather. The summit is usually swallowed by mist, turning the drive into a surreal, slightly scary experience where you can barely see past your hood. Prayer flags flutter at the peak, marking a spot that's both sacred and seriously imposing.
We’re talking a massive 256 km (159 miles) stretch between Chamkhar and Trashigang. This road, built in the 90s, can be rough. The asphalt suffers from the climate and landslides. Prepare for endless curves and hairpin turns hugging the mountainside. Some spots are so tight, you'll have to reverse on a cliff edge to let another car pass!
You'll need some serious driving skills here. Get ready for insane vertical drops of hundreds of meters with zero guardrails! Constant humidity makes things slippery, and that climb up to 3,682m will test your brakes and engine. This is known as one of the most technical drives in the Himalayas.
Heads up: Thrimshing La often closes in winter due to heavy snowfall, cutting off eastern Bhutan. Even in spring, the weather's unpredictable, with sudden storms. The biggest danger? That thick fog blanketing the summit year-round. Make sure you've got killer fog lights and extra supplies because getting stuck out here means a long wait for help!
Where is it?
How to drive the curvy paved road to Thrimshing La? is located in Bhutan (asia). Coordinates: 27.5859, 90.5722
Road Details
- Country
- Bhutan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 256 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,682 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 27.5859, 90.5722
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