The curvy road to Thrumshing La isn't an easy one
Bhutan, asia
256 km
3,752 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, because Thrumshing La Pass in Bhutan is a wild ride! This baby climbs to a whopping 3,752m (12,309ft), making it one of the highest roads in the whole country. You'll find it smack-dab in the middle of Bhutan, straddling the border between Bumthang and Lhuentse districts, right in Thrumshing La National Park.
Known as both Thrumshingla Pass and Donga Pass, it's basically the divider between two major river systems. Expect prayer flags galore fluttering in the breeze at the summit – it's a seriously scenic spot.
The road itself, the Bumthang-Ura Highway (PNH1), was built in the 90s and let's just say it's seen better days. Paved? Yes, but in *very* rough shape, with some gravel thrown in for good measure. It's steep, twisty (think thousands of curves and hairpin turns), and narrow in places. The eastern descent is a doozy, dropping a staggering 3,150m!
The whole route stretches for 256km (159 miles) from Chamkhar in the west to Trashigang in the east. You'll be driving through thick rhododendron forests filled with monkeys, exotic bird calls, and more prayer flags painted on walls.
Located high in the Black Mountains, pack for the cold – seriously! Warm clothes, a hat, and gloves are a must. Heavy snowfall can close the pass for a day or two in the winter. Strangely, snow is uncommon from April to May. And be prepared for mist – the summit is usually shrouded in it!
Where is it?
The curvy road to Thrumshing La isn't an easy one is located in Bhutan (asia). Coordinates: 27.3286, 90.3334
Road Details
- Country
- Bhutan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 256 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,752 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 27.3286, 90.3334
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