
Ultimate 4wd destination: Takum La
China, asia
20.9 km
4,590 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Takum La in Tibet is calling your name! This beast of a pass sits way up high at 4,590 meters (15,059 feet) in Qusum County.
Picture this: you start in Qusum Town and grind it out for almost 21 kilometers (about 13 miles) on a completely unpaved road. Yeah, that's right โ pure, unadulterated off-road heaven (or hell, depending on your perspective!).
Now, a word of warning: winter here means serious snow, so check that weather forecast before you head out. You'll definitely want a 4x4 to tackle some incredibly steep sections, with gradients hitting a whopping 13%!
Don't expect any fancy amenities up here, either. We're talking basic, folks. But the raw, untamed scenery? Totally worth it. Prepare for an experience you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
Ultimate 4wd destination: Takum La is located in China (asia). Coordinates: 39.2262, 102.4508
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 20.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,590 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 39.2262, 102.4508
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