How to drive the curvy road to O Quy Ho Pass, the cloudy mountain pass?
Vietnam, asia
37 km
2,014 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, wanderlusters, listen up! You HAVE to experience O Quy Ho Pass in Vietnam. Seriously, this is bucket-list material. Picture this: You're cruising along QL4D, a fully paved road snaking its way up, up, UP into the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains. We're talking serious elevation here – the summit sits at a cool 2,014 meters (that's 6,607 feet for my American friends!).
This epic stretch of road is about 37 kilometers (23 miles) of pure driving bliss…and a whole lotta hairpin turns! Seriously, get ready to crank that steering wheel. But trust me, it's worth it! They call it the "cloudy mountain pass" for a reason. The views are absolutely unreal, with fluffy white clouds often blanketing the peaks. You'll feel like you're driving through the sky! Find it near the Lao Cai Province boundary, connecting Cò Lá to Sa Pa in the northwestern part of the country. Just be prepared for some steep climbs and dizzying drops – this is an adventure, not a Sunday drive!
Where is it?
How to drive the curvy road to O Quy Ho Pass, the cloudy mountain pass? is located in Vietnam (asia). Coordinates: 16.7640, 108.1681
Road Details
- Country
- Vietnam
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 37 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,014 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 16.7640, 108.1681
Related Roads in asia
extremeTunnel Roads in China
🇨🇳 China
Alright, buckle up, because China's got some seriously wild tunnel roads! Forget your average scenic route, we're talking about engineering marvels carved into the sides of cliffs. First up is *the* most famous one, where an entire village worked for five years to create a 700-meter tunnel (5m high, 4m wide!). It's got two tunnels and the new road is wide enough for cars. Tourism has exploded here, so expect cute family-run inns. Then there's the "probably most dangerous" one. This one climbs from 1,000 to 1,300 meters above sea level through six small tunnels spread across 1.6km. It's a single-lane thrill ride that's usually closed in the winter – maybe for good reason! Next, we've got Xiya Valley's Hanging Tunnel. Villagers spent *30 years* hacking this road into existence. It spirals around the cliff face with windows offering incredible views. It's been upgraded from gravel to concrete! Don't miss Chen Family Hanging Tunnel, where you might even spot a waterfall at the exit. This one is wider and more accessible, since it's actually part of a highway. But, it’s also a busy route for coal trucks, so prepare for traffic and dust! Jingdi Village Hanging Tunnel took six years to build and is a lengthy 2 km with plenty of twists and turns *inside* the mountain. The Lanying Cliff Road in Wuxi County is an awesome, narrow path carved out of the southern Daba Mountains. Paved, and 1.2km long, it's the *only* way in or out for Lanying village. In Guizhou Province, the Shibanhe Cliff Road runs for 470 meters between Chuangou and Yueliangdongcun, and is 4.5-meters-wide. Before it, Shibanhe villagers were linked to the world by a narrow footpath. The old Hongtiguan Tunnel Road in Pingshun County is *steep*. We're talking a 30-degree incline, with five separate tunnels cut into the cliffs. The difference in elevation between the top and bottom tunnels is 200 meters. Another one in Pingshun County is the Jingdi Hanging Tunnel. 1.526m long and ranging from 6 to 10m wide and 4 to 5m high, it’s a scenic drive, but be prepared for traffic jams! Then there's the Huilong-Hanging Tunnel, all 8km of it, clinging to the side of a steep cliff in the Taihang Mountains, connecting Henan and Shanxi. The Youzhuda Grand Canyon Wall Road in Hebei province is literally excavated on the cliff face above the Yongding River, turning to gravel inside the tunnel! The road to Xifanggoucun in Shaanxi province hangs about 3,000 feet above ground in the Daba Mountain. This 6000-metre-long (3.73-mile-long) mountain road is the *only* way in or out. The Xiaguo Wall Road in Hebei is only 560m (0.34 miles) long, it's excavated on the cliff above the Xiagou Reservoir. Also in the Taihang Mountains, the Chenjiayuan Hanging Highway was built from 1990 to 1993 for coal transportation. The Chishui Cliff road in Xuyong County runs 200 meters above the Chishui River canyon. To get to Yunnan province, they had to drive the cliff road and then taking a boat to cross the river. Up next, the Shangla Wall Tunnel Road, just 162m long, with eight "windows" carved into the rock face. The Qiwangzhai Wall Tunnel Road is longer at 600m, is a scenic bridge leading to Qiwangzhaicun village. Totally paved, the Shuangping Cliff Road is also known as Cliff Heaven Road or Cliff Heavenly Road. It is 595 meters long and connects Shuangping with the outside world. In Shanxi province, the Huahu Cliff tunnel road is 22km (13.67 miles) long. Be aware of rockslides and do not drive the road on rainy seasons. The Xialondong Cliff Tunnel Road in Hunan province is 1 kilometer long (200 meters into a tunnel). The Jiangxia Wall Hung Road in Gansu Province offer wonderful views of the river. The Gushuang Cliff Tunnel Road in Sichuan Province is 33.8 km (21 miles) long running through the Xinyan Gorge. It is said that 20 or 30 people died in the construction. Finally, the Mingyue Gorge Ancient Plank Road is restricted to private vehicles, allowing only buses to traverse this dramatic, historic landscape. So, if you're after an adrenaline rush and some unforgettable views, China's tunnel roads are calling! Just maybe rent a local driver, okay?
hardHow to get to the summit of Sang Da La Pass in the Dhawalagiri Zone
🇳🇵 Nepal
Get ready for Sang Da La, also known as Dushe La, an insane Himalayan pass in Nepal's Dhawalagiri Zone, clocking in at a whopping 5,310m (17,421 ft)! This is seriously one of the highest roads you can drive in Nepal. Tucked away in the Mustang District, right near the Chinese border, you'll find this beast marked only by a few prayer flags at the summit. This isn't your Sunday drive; the entire route is a wild, unpaved ride! Think super-narrow sections barely wide enough for two vehicles, crazy steep inclines hitting 25%, hairpin turns that'll test your skills, and serious drop-offs that will make your palms sweat. Altitude sickness is a real risk, so take it slow, hydrate like crazy, and get used to the thin air. Some parts can be heavily washed out, too, so be prepared. The track from Sangda is just over 15 km (9.5 miles), but you’ll climb a total of 2,070 m, with a leg-burning average gradient of 13.44%. A 4x4 isn’t just recommended; it's essential for this high-altitude adventure! Picture this: rugged, mountainous terrain that's part of the legendary Himalayas. The best time to tackle this road is late spring or early autumn (late April to June, or September to mid-November). Heads up: Visiting Chhusang requires special permits since it's a restricted area. You'll need to go through a local trekking agency to get these from Nepal’s Department of Immigration. Independent travel isn't allowed. Even with all the challenges, the views are breathtaking. Think deep valleys, sky-high passes, and glaciated peaks, all in a part of the world that feels completely untouched.
extremePereval Maydantal
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever dreamed of straddling Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan atop the world? Then Pereval Maydantal is calling your name! This epic international mountain pass clocks in at a staggering 11,627 feet above sea level. Get ready for a wild ride! The road? Think gravel, dust, bumps – the whole shebang. It's a series of seriously tight zigzags clinging to the mountainside, with views that will blow your mind… and maybe induce a little vertigo if you're not a fan of heights. Seriously, these drops are INTENSE! The road is super steep, so take it slow and steady, especially on those hairpin turns. Open season is usually May to November, weather permitting. Trust me, this isn't just a drive; it's a mountain adventure you won't soon forget!
hardThe road to Lawoche La is truly an unforgettable experience
🇨🇳 China
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Lawoche La, also known as Laochi La, in Tibet is calling your name! This insane mountain pass clocks in at a whopping 17,673 feet above sea level. Forget the smooth tarmac – we're talking raw, unpaved adventure! This is one seriously steep climb, so if heights aren't your thing, maybe sit this one out. You'll need a 4x4 to even attempt this, and if it's been raining, prepare for some seriously muddy conditions. This pass, connecting Namru and Tielong, is super remote. Don't expect any traffic! It's crazy windy up there, you can literally feel the wind blasting you from all directions. Oh, and pro tip: this road is totally impassable from September to June. Only attempt it in the summer months. Get ready for views that will blow your mind on Kheriya ancient road!