Is Kok-Airyk Pass unpaved?
Kyrgyzstan, asia
69.2 km
3,850 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for the Kok Airyk Pass in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul region! This beast of a road climbs to a whopping 3,850m (12,631ft). We're talking about a 69.2 km (42.99 miles) unpaved adventure from Örnök all the way to the Kazakhstan border. Think 15 snaking sections of rough, rocky road.
Word on the street is you absolutely need a 4x4 or enduro bike to tackle this. Some locals even say it’s not passable at all anymore! Built back in 1990-91, the road is typically only open in July and August due to heavy winter conditions. Even in summer, watch out for rock avalanches that can shut things down without warning.
But hey, if you catch it right, the views are unreal! Apparently, from the top, you get insane vistas of Issyk-Kul lake and the Terskey-Alatoo mountain range. Plus, you'll be cruising through Chong-Kemin National Park. And watch for the arch right at the pass stating international tourism can feel safe there! A bit optimistic, perhaps? Get ready for an unforgettable panorama!
Road Details
- Country
- Kyrgyzstan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 69.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,850 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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