Lateral Road (Bhutan National Highway)
Bhutan, asia
560 km
3,780 m
hard
March to May, September to November
# The Lateral Road: Bhutan's Epic East-West Journey
Welcome to Bhutan's main artery—the Lateral Road, a spectacular 560-kilometer ribbon that winds from Phuentsholing at the Indian border all the way east to Trashigang. This is THE highway that literally stitches together every major town and dzong (those stunning fortress-monasteries you've probably seen on Instagram) across one of the world's most beautifully remote countries.
What makes this drive so special? You're climbing over multiple passes topping out above 3,000 meters as you snake through the rugged Himalayan landscape. The scenery is genuinely breathtaking—think the famous Dochu La at 3,100m with its iconic 108 memorial chortens and knockout views of the eastern Himalayan peaks, or the absolutely dramatic Thrumshingla Pass at 3,780m cutting through ancient rhododendron and fir forests that feel untouched by time.
The road itself has quite a story. Work kicked off back in 1962 with Indian help, and they're still tweaking and improving it today. You'll notice the narrow, winding sections, the prayer flags fluttering everywhere, roadside monasteries tucked into mountainsides, and pristine forests at every turn. Honestly, this isn't just a drive—it's a cultural immersion. You're traveling through the very landscape where the concept of Gross National Happiness was born, which says everything you need to know about this magical place.
Where is it?
Lateral Road (Bhutan National Highway) is located in Central Bhutan, Bhutan (asia). Coordinates: 27.4728, 89.6390
Driving Tips
# Road Travel Tips for Bhutan
You've gotta book your trip through a licensed local tour operator—it's required, and honestly, it helps support the community. There's also a daily sustainable development fee you'll need to pay, but it goes toward keeping Bhutan pretty amazing.
Fair warning: the roads are super narrow and winding, so don't expect to zoom along. You're looking at an average speed of 30-40 km/h, which means driving takes patience. If you want to drive the full highway, give yourself at least a week. It's not a race!
Dochu La is an absolute must-stop if you hit it on a clear day—the Himalayan views are seriously worth the drive. Plan your timing around the weather if you can.
The monsoon season brings landslides and road closures, so keep an eye on conditions if you're traveling June through September. It's not impossible, just something to work around.
One more thing: grab some motion sickness medication before you go. The curves and elevation changes get to a lot of people, so better to have it on hand just in case. You'll thank yourself later.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt with rough sections
Road Details
- Country
- Bhutan
- Continent
- asia
- Region
- Central Bhutan
- Length
- 560 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,780 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Surface
- Paved asphalt with rough sections
- Best Season
- March to May, September to November
- Coordinates
- 27.4728, 89.6390
Related Roads in asia
moderateAn awe-inspiring road to Jot Pass in Himachal Pradesh
🇮🇳 India
Okay, adventure-seekers, let me tell you about Jot Pass in Himachal Pradesh, India! Nestled high in the Dhauladhar range, this beauty clocks in at a cool 2,440 meters (that's a smidge over 8,000 feet!). The road stretches for about 27 kilometers (or 16.6 miles), twisting and turning from Randoh up to Pukhri. Hold on tight because this climb isn't messing around, with some sections hitting a 15% gradient! The road's mostly paved, which is a plus, but remember, winter slams this place shut with heaps of snow. Summer's your golden window to experience this drive. Trust me, the panoramic views from the top are absolutely worth it, especially when you're kicking back in the picnic area. It's the perfect spot to soak in the incredible scenery.
hardWhere is Lake Göygöl?
🌍 Azerbaijan
Hey fellow adventurers! Let's talk about Lake Göygöl, a stunning alpine lake chilling at 1,556m (5,104ft) in Azerbaijan's Ganja-Gazakh region. You'll find this gem tucked away in the western part of the country, inside Goygol National Park in the Murovdag Mountains. Fun fact: Göygöl means "Blue Lake," and it was born from a massive earthquake way back in 1139. Pretty epic, right? The paved road kicks off from the R19 near Toghanali and stretches for about 5.6 km (3.47 miles). Built in 2017, it's mostly smooth sailing, though you'll hit a few steep sections. Once you're at the lake, there's a rough gravel road that leads up to even more secluded and gorgeous spots. Trust me, the views are worth it! Speaking of views, get your camera ready because this drive is a photographer's dream! You'll be treated to vistas of Mt Kyapaz and lush forests. The lake itself? Crystal-clear water that's inspired artists for centuries! If you're planning a trip, spring and summer are prime time. But pro tip: skip the weekends if you want to avoid the crowds. And if you're looking to chill out even more, there's a mountain health resort with the same name on the lake's northern edge. Enjoy!
moderateBest Way to travel to Bhutan
🇧🇹 Bhutan
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the **Haa Valley Road** in Bhutan, and let me tell you, it's a trip! This stretch clocks in at about **110 km (68 miles)** and it’s not just any road; it's a winding ribbon of adventure that climbs to a max elevation of **3,988m (13,083ft)**. Now, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it – this route is not for the faint of heart. Expect some seriously **narrow sections**, especially near the Chele La pass. Landslides? Yeah, they can happen, particularly after a good rain. But trust me, the views are worth it. As you ascend, you're treated to **jaw-dropping panoramas** of the Haa Valley. The landscape is dotted with traditional Bhutanese houses, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and forests that seem to stretch on forever. It's like driving through a postcard, seriously. Just keep your eyes on the road – those hairpin turns come at you fast!
hardHow to drive to Nakole in the Tibet Autonomous Region?
🇨🇳 China
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Nakole Pass! This beast of a road climbs to a staggering 5,510m (that's 18,077ft!) in Coqên County, China. Nestled in the wild, remote Tibetan Plateau, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in the country. Picture this: you're in the southeast of Ngari Prefecture, way out west in Tibet, surrounded by the Gangdise and Kunlun ranges. It's a desolate landscape, dotted with shimmering salt lakes and the occasional nomadic settlement. Forget smooth asphalt – this is a 90km (55 miles) unpaved adventure of gravel and rocks, kicking off from the S206. Some sections are barely marked, demanding serious navigation skills and a high-clearance 4x4. Oh, and did I mention the altitude? That notorious lack of oxygen will hit both your engine and your lungs hard! As you grind your way across the Changtang Plateau, keep an eye out for Jiesa Lake (Gyesar Tso), a massive, shimmering lake sitting pretty at almost 5,000m. Heads up: this pass is really only accessible during the summer months, think July to September. The rest of the year, it's a snowy, icy wasteland, impassable for most vehicles. Also, there are absolutely no facilities – no gas, no help – along that entire 90km stretch, so come prepared!