
Where is Burzil Pass?
Pakistan, asia
30 km
4,210 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a pass for you that's seriously going to blow your mind. We're talking about Burzil Pass, chilling way up in the Himalayas in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan territory. We're talking 4,210m (13,812ft) above sea level, so buckle up for some serious altitude.
You'll find it north of the Line of Control, about 30km, near Gilgit. The road is paved, but don’t think it’s a cakewalk! This historic caravan route linking Srinagar and Gilgit will put your driving skills to the test with some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients up to 11%!
The adventure kicks off near the exciting
, and from there it’s a 115km (71-mile) ride to the top. But here's the catch: this road is ONLY open from July to September, thanks to the crazy amounts of snow it gets. But trust me, it's worth the wait! You'll be rewarded with incredible views of grassy slopes absolutely bursting with wildflowers. Seriously, a feast for the eyes!
Road Details
- Country
- Pakistan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,210 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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