When was the road through Taldyk Pass built?
Kyrgyzstan, asia
24.9 km
3,615 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan, heading for the legendary Taldyk Pass. Perched at a whopping 3,615m (11,860ft), this beauty is part of the iconic M41, aka the Pamir Highway.
The pass stretches for about 25km (15.5 miles) between Ak-Bosogo and Sary-Tash, and yeah, it's paved, which is a bonus! But don't get too comfy. This road is no joke. You'll be wrestling with some seriously steep inclines and navigating 14 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. The last few kilometers really crank up the intensity, hitting almost an 8% gradient.
Word to the wise: winter here is no joke, and this pass can be super dangerous. You might even spot the ghostly remains of trucks that didn't quite make it, tumbling down the cliffs. Despite the challenges, Taldyk Pass stays open all year round, which is pretty wild considering its altitude. Get ready for some unreal views high in the Alai Mountain Range!
Road Details
- Country
- Kyrgyzstan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 24.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,615 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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