Is Shingo La unpaved?
India, asia
56.8 km
5,048 m
hard
Year-round
Shingo La, also called Shinkun La and a bunch of other names, sits way up high at 5,048m (16,561ft), right on the border between Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in India.
Guess what? This epic pass, part of the new Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road (NPDR) or Zanskar Highway completed in 2024, is now fully paved! It's a winding 56.8 km (35.29 miles) stretch between Darcha and Kurgiakh, linking Himachal’s Lahaul valley with Ladakh’s Zanskar valley.
Don't let the pavement fool you, though. This route is no joke. Expect hairpin turns and real risks of avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides. The area is known for heavy snowfall, so the pass is usually closed from October to June.
The scenery, however, is unreal. You'll be cruising through vast open plains, surrounded by incredible mountains and past crystal-clear lakes.
Good news on the horizon! A 4.25 km tunnel is under construction, aiming for completion by 2025, to provide all-weather access. Even with the tunnel, heavy snowfall might still cause temporary closures to the approach road during winter.
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 56.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,048 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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