How to drive the wild road to Kori La?

How to drive the wild road to Kori La?

Bhutan, asia

Length

256 km

Elevation

2,406 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! Kori La Pass in Bhutan's Mongar District is calling your name. This baby climbs to 2,406m (7,893ft), so get ready for some serious views.

The Bumthang-Ura Highway (PNH1), built back in the '90s, is your path. Word to the wise: the pavement's seen better days (think rough patches and even some gravel). Plus, it’s a real rollercoaster with steep climbs, hairpin turns galore, and sections so narrow you might want to fold in your mirrors! But trust me, it's mostly a blast to drive, especially with those twisty bits at the start and end.

This 256km (159-mile) stretch connects Chamkhar and Trashigang, and the scenery is unreal. You'll be winding through lush forests, spotting playful monkeys, and hearing the exotic sounds of the jungle. Prayer flags flutter everywhere, adding a touch of magic to the journey.

Keep an eye on the weather! Kori La, nestled in the Black Mountains, sometimes gets snowed in during winter, causing short closures. It's weird, but even at this altitude, the snow often disappears by April or May. And heads up, the summit is usually shrouded in mist, adding to the mystique.

Where is it?

How to drive the wild road to Kori La? is located in Bhutan (asia). Coordinates: 27.2457, 90.3362

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Bhutan
Continent
asia
Length
256 km
Max Elevation
2,406 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
27.2457, 90.3362

Related Roads in asia

What makes the Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline famous?hard

What makes the Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline famous?

🇯🇵 Japan

Ready for a wild ride in northern Japan? The Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline, near Hirosaki city in Aomori Prefecture, is calling your name! This paved beauty, open from mid-April to late October, is famed for one thing: hairpin turns. 69 of them, to be exact! Starting from Ajigasawa Highway at the base of Mount Iwaki, you'll climb 806 meters over 9.3 km (5.77 miles) to the eighth station, sitting pretty at 1,247 meters (4,091 feet). The average gradient is 8.66%, but get ready for some seriously steep 10% sections. Ditch the bike, though—cyclists aren't allowed. While you can't drive all the way to the 1,625 meters (5,331 feet) summit (a lift will take you the rest of the way), the views from the eighth station are totally worth it. Think breathtaking 360-degree panoramas. Feeling adventurous? Hike from the eighth station to the summit, and don't miss the 90-year-old beech forest near the 3rd station. Just be sure to hit the road between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., as it closes at 5:00 p.m.!

How to drive the wild Mintaka Pass?moderate

How to drive the wild Mintaka Pass?

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Mintaka Pass is calling your name—if you dare. Perched high in the Karakoram Mountains on the border of Pakistan and China, this bad boy clocks in at a whopping 4,450 meters (that's almost 14,600 feet!). Linking Kashgar Prefecture in China with Pakistan's Hunza District, Mintaka Pass is a properly remote beast. Forget smooth tarmac; we're talking pure, unadulterated, unpaved road that demands a 4x4. But here's the thing: this isn't your average scenic route. The whole area on the Chinese side has been a no-go zone for foreigners since way back, and the Pakistani side? Well, let's just say it's seen its fair share of trouble, with reports of terrorist activity, smuggling, and general unrest. So, stunning views? Absolutely. A walk in the park? Definitely not.

Kirgizjangal Pass, a drive you'll never forgethard

Kirgizjangal Pass, a drive you'll never forget

🇨🇳 China

Kirgizjangal Pass in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region? Get ready for an adventure at 4,950m (16,240ft)! This epic stretch of the G219 National Road, aka the Tibet-Xinjiang Highway or "Sky Road," winds its way from Mazha to Xaidulla, covering 112 km (70 miles) of pure, unadulterated scenery. Built back in the '50s and finally paved in 2013, this road is no joke. You're climbing *high*, folks, well above 5,000m in places. Altitude sickness is a real threat, so acclimatize beforehand! Expect multiple high passes at 5,000m, 4,000m, and 3,000m. The views? Oh, the views! Think desert valleys meeting snow-capped mountains. The road itself is a series of thrilling switchbacks, making the climb challenging but oh-so-worth-it. This area is seriously remote, so be prepared for vast distances with little to no supplies. Temperatures at the top are brutal, hitting -25°C or lower in winter with howling winds. Even summer can bring snow. It's arid and unforgiving year-round. Winter travel? Not recommended. You'll find a few truck stops about a day's drive apart, but pack your own food, a sleeping bag, and maybe even a tent, just in case. This is a seriously remote route, so over-prepared is the only way to go. Monsoon season (July-August) brings heavy rains that can make driving tricky, so plan accordingly. Despite the remoteness, the G219 passes historical and religious sites. Just remember internet censorship might limit your access to certain websites. Always check travel and weather info before you head out.

How long is 24-Zig Road in China?hard

How long is 24-Zig Road in China?

🇨🇳 China

Okay, buckle up road trip lovers! I've got a crazy one for you. Picture this: you're cruising through Guizhou Province in China, near a town called Qinglong. Suddenly, the road throws you into a frenzy of hairpin turns – *twenty-four* of them to be exact! This is the legendary 24-Zig Road. This crazy, curvy climb is only about 4km (2.5 miles) long, but don't let the short distance fool you. Built on a seriously steep 60-degree slope, this "S" shaped road was built back in 1935. It's only 5 meters wide and climbs like crazy! The road climbs 264 meters (866 feet), taking you from 1,296 meters (4,252 feet) to 1,560 meters (5,118 feet) above sea level. The average gradient is around 8%. Back in the day, this unpaved road was a vital supply line. It was so gnarly that drivers were literally praying before they even attempted it! Word is, there were plenty of overturned trucks back in the day. While it's not actively used anymore, you might spot a motorbike or three-wheeler braving the climb. And hey, if you need a break from the twists and turns, there's a sightseeing platform across the valley with an incredible view of the whole zig-zagging masterpiece.