Is the Road to Tanin Geçidi paved?

Is the Road to Tanin Geçidi paved?

Turkey, europe

Length

23.4 km

Elevation

2,230 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, folks, buckle up for Tanin Geçidi, a high-altitude stunner in Turkey's southeastern Şırnak Province! This recently paved road snakes its way up to 2,230m (7,316ft), south of Lake Van and practically kissing the Iraqi border.

Get ready for a wild ride, though! We're talking steep climbs, hairpin turns galore (think around 34!), and a proper test of your driving skills. The 23.4 km (14.54 miles) stretch connects Özelli to Uzungeçit, offering some seriously epic scenery along the way.

Word to the wise: winter is a no-go. This area gets hammered with snow, so plan your trip accordingly.

But wait, there's more! For the truly adventurous, an unpaved track branches off south of the pass and climbs even higher to a true summit of 2,432m (7,979ft). This 1.5 km off-road section is not for the faint of heart. We're talking serious incline (averaging 13.46%!), so a 4x4 is an absolute must.

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Road Details

Country
Turkey
Continent
europe
Length
23.4 km
Max Elevation
2,230 m
Difficulty
extreme

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