Is the road to Kichik-Alay Pass unpaved?

Is the road to Kichik-Alay Pass unpaved?

Kyrgyzstan, asia

Length

36.7 km

Elevation

4,140 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan, you'll find Pereval Kichik-Alay, a sky-high mountain pass topping out at a whopping 4,140m (13,582ft). Seriously, this is one of the highest roads in the whole country!

Forget smooth asphalt; this is a rough and rugged mining road, so a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential. Expect some seriously steep climbs and keep in mind that winter makes this route impassable.

The adventure begins in Tura-Chita, and from there, it's a 36.7 km (22.8 miles) climb to the top. You'll gain 1,784m in elevation, which translates to an average gradient of 4.86%. Fair warning: the eastern side of the summit ends at a working coal mine, and you'll be sharing the road with plenty of trucks. But hey, the views are totally worth it!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Kyrgyzstan
Continent
asia
Length
36.7 km
Max Elevation
4,140 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in asia

A Very Bumpy, Grueling Road to Mahodand Lakeextreme

A Very Bumpy, Grueling Road to Mahodand Lake

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've found a hidden gem in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that you HAVE to add to your bucket list: Mahodand Lake. Perched way up high in the Swat Kohistan region, this alpine beauty sits at a cool 9,400 feet above sea level. Getting there? Well, that's half the fun (and the challenge!). The route, known as Saifullah Lake Road, from Kalam in Swat District stretches for about 20 miles of mostly unpaved, bumpy, and often tricky terrain. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential. Nestled in the foothills of the mighty Hindu Kush mountains, Mahodand is a summertime paradise. Winter? Forget about it. Heavy snow and avalanche risks make it nearly impossible to reach. Even in summer, expect to see snow clinging to the peaks! The views? Absolutely unreal.

How long is NH 183A in Kerala?hard

How long is NH 183A in Kerala?

🇮🇳 India

Okay, picture this: you're winding through the lush, green hills of Kerala, South India, on NH 183A. This road is a real rollercoaster – 174 km (108 miles) of pure driving bliss (or terror, depending on your perspective!). You'll be cruising from Kumily to Sasthamkotta, and trust me, your senses will be on overload. Now, a little heads-up: this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking thousands of curves, some seriously narrow sections, and inclines that'll make your engine work. You'll climb up to a whopping 1,184m (3,884ft) above sea level, so those views? Absolutely epic. But keep an eye on the weather – a heavy downpour can turn this road into a slippery, landslide-prone hazard. And if you're prone to motion sickness, maybe pack some ginger candies – you'll thank me later!

Yak Lahard

Yak La

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ready to tackle Yak La? This mountain pass tops out at a breathtaking 14,294 feet in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan, China. You'll be cruising on the G214, also known as the Tibet-Yunnan highway, and connecting Dechen to the Yangtze. This isn't your Sunday drive. Expect a long, challenging trek through remote landscapes and over several high-altitude passes. The pavement can be rough, and the air gets thin up there, really putting your body to the test! But the reward? Unbelievable views, especially the mighty Karwa Karpo (6740m) as you climb out of the Mekong gorge. Heads up though – this area is known for heavy mist, so low visibility can be a real issue. Keep a close eye on the weather and maybe skip it if things look dicey. Trust me, you want to *see* those views!

Gora La is a truly outstanding 4x4 adventuremoderate

Gora La is a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure

🇮🇳 India

Gora La: straddling the India-China border, this pass is a beast! Picture this: You're in North Sikkim, India, gazing toward Yadong County, Tibet. Two separate roads climb to the summit, though neither actually crosses the border. On the Indian side, you'll be winding through the breathtaking Yumthang Valley. The road? Completely unpaved, so a 4x4 is essential. It climbs to a dizzying 5,118m (16,791ft) with some seriously steep sections hitting an 8% gradient. The adventure kicks off in Dambung and stretches for 39 km (24.23 miles), climbing 2418 meters. Just a heads up, this is a military road, so civilian access is off-limits. Now, over to the Chinese side: Another unpaved challenge that demands a 4x4. This one peaks at 4,945m (16,223ft) but don't let the lower altitude fool you – it's brutally steep, with sections reaching a wild 28% gradient. Starting in Naibai, the climb is a shorter 14.3 km (8.88 miles), but packs in 1226 meters of elevation gain. And like its Indian counterpart, this is a military road with no civilian access. Bummer!