Where does Prithvi Highway start and end?
Nepal, asia
175 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Prithvi Highway, situated in Nepal, is a notoriously challenging road. Known for its hazardous conditions, it poses risks to drivers navigating its twists and turns.
Where does Prithvi Highway start and end?
Tucked away in the western part of the country,
the road is 175km (109 miles) long, running east-west from Naubise (near Kathmandu, the capital of the country) to Pokhara (the capital of Gandaki Province and a tourist city famous for the views of the Himalayan range and lakes).
The highway is named after King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Around 8,000 vehicles ply the road daily.
Is the Prithvi Highway paved?
Completed in 1974, the road (H04) is mostly paved but in bad condition.
However, being a landslide-prone and heavily congested highway, a few sections of the road are mostly unpaved with roughness and undulation, turning dusty in the dry season and becoming muddy when it rains.
Broken by earthquakes and heavy trucks, the road has so much traffic of buses and trucks. Ruthless driving and dangerous overtakings are other concerns.
How long does it take to drive the Prithvi Highway?
To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 5 and 7 hours. T
he scenery along the road is dramatic, following a series of deep river valleys, passing ancient stone villages, cascading rice terraces, rocky gorges, and roaring rapids crossed by precarious suspension bridges.
Its dramatic views come at a potentially high cost. In addition to beautiful views of the Himalayas, you will see vehicles that have ended up in the river chasms.
Arniko Highway: One mistake, game over
Driving the amazing BP Highway in Nepal
Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our
to discover the most spectacular roads of the world
Drive Us to Your Road!
With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click
to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
Road Details
- Country
- Nepal
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 175 km
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in asia
extremeDon’t glance down at your phone on Manang Road
🇳🇵 Nepal
Nestled high in the Nepalese Himalayas, on the edge of the Annapurna range, lies Manang, a charming mountain town at a dizzying 3,776m. Getting there is an adventure in itself! The road from Besishahar (a mere 710m) is a 99km rollercoaster ride. It's mostly unpaved, a narrow ledge carved into the mountainside. Forget smooth tarmac – this is rocky, rugged terrain demanding respect from both driver and machine. Think 4x4s are tough? Try pushing one up steep inclines in thin air! The elevation gain is a whopping 3,066m, with some sections hitting a 10% gradient! But the views? Absolutely worth it. The road hugs the Marsyangdí river, offering breathtaking panoramas at every turn. Imagine cascading waterfalls plunging onto the road, the river raging below, and you clinging to a narrow path etched into the side of a vertical cliff face. This isn't a Sunday drive – we're talking drops of 500 meters! Be warned, this "road" can be treacherous, especially after rain. Landslides, loose rocks, and vertigo-inducing heights are all part of the experience. Definitely avoid during the monsoon season. Known as part of the Annapurna Circuit, this route isn't for the faint of heart. It demands skill, concentration, and a healthy dose of bravery. One wrong move, and you'll be taking a shortcut to the river below. But if you're seeking an unforgettable, adrenaline-fueled journey through some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, the road to Manang is calling your name!
hardHow long is the road to Tsomgo Lake?
🇮🇳 India
Hey adventure seekers! Wanna check out the super cool Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim, India? This isn't your average Sunday drive, but trust me, it's worth it! We're talking about Road 310, also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Road or the Gangtok-Nathula Highway. You'll be climbing from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, for about 40km (25 miles) to a whopping 3,753m (12,313ft) above sea level. They've spruced up the road a bit since 2017, but Mother Nature still throws curveballs, so be prepared for anything! The views are insane – think towering mountains and cascading waterfalls. But heads up, this road has some seriously sharp curves and steep climbs, so go easy on the snacks to avoid altitude sickness. So, why is Tsomgo Lake so special? This glacial beauty, which means "source of water", is considered sacred by the locals. The lake is like a chameleon, changing colors with the seasons, and it's totally frozen over in winter. How cool is that? Keep in mind, Tsomgo Lake is in a restricted zone. If you're an Indian tourist, you'll need a permit. Foreign travelers, listen up: you'll need a special permit, must travel with at least one buddy, and go through a registered travel agency to get it sorted. The road itself hugs the northern edge of the lake, so you'll get amazing views. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
hardThe road to Xia Quepu Lake is not for the faint of heart
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Xia Quepu, a glacial lake chilling way up high in Tibet's Kangmar County at a staggering 4,918m (16,135ft)! This isn't your Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved, so a 4x4 is a must. You're heading into serious wilderness, so forget about finding fancy amenities – think remote, raw, and real. Keep a close eye on the weather; conditions can change on a dime. Trust me, though, the views are worth it! The road winds its way past the majestic Masang Kang peak, and the scenery is simply breathtaking. Starting from the S204, it's a 29.3 km climb, gaining 647m in elevation. Some sections are seriously steep, hitting a max gradient of 14%! And here's a little bonus: The road continues past the lake's northern shore and will take you into Bhutan, crossing a pass that soars to 5,400m (17,716ft).
hardHow long is NH 183A in Kerala?
🇮🇳 India
Okay, picture this: you're winding through the lush, green hills of Kerala, South India, on NH 183A. This road is a real rollercoaster – 174 km (108 miles) of pure driving bliss (or terror, depending on your perspective!). You'll be cruising from Kumily to Sasthamkotta, and trust me, your senses will be on overload. Now, a little heads-up: this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking thousands of curves, some seriously narrow sections, and inclines that'll make your engine work. You'll climb up to a whopping 1,184m (3,884ft) above sea level, so those views? Absolutely epic. But keep an eye on the weather – a heavy downpour can turn this road into a slippery, landslide-prone hazard. And if you're prone to motion sickness, maybe pack some ginger candies – you'll thank me later!