Where is Engilchek Mine?
Kyrgyzstan, asia
19.1 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul Region. You're heading to the old Engilchek Mine, a tungsten, tin, and molybdenum spot way up in the mountains. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a climb to some serious altitude!
First things first, getting there. The mine's tucked away near the Engilchek Village, a bit of a ghost town these days, with that eerie, abandoned Soviet vibe. But fair warning: this area's close to the Chinese border and requires special permission to visit.
Now, about the road... It's a wild one! Forget pavement – we're talking totally unpaved, super steep, and crazy narrow with some serious drop-offs. A 4x4 is essential. The road's basically crumbling, and landslides are a real risk.
The ascent itself is roughly 19 km (12 miles), packed with around 27 hairpin turns. You'll be climbing nearly 1,200 meters (3,900 feet). The average incline is pretty steep!
Oh, and did I mention the weather? It's high in the Tian Shan mountains, so winters are brutal. The road's pretty much impassable for a good chunk of the year. But if you can make it, the views are going to be epic.
Road Details
- Country
- Kyrgyzstan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 19.1 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
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