Where is Pele La?
Bhutan, asia
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N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits at Pele La! This beast of a mountain pass sits way up high in Bhutan's Wangdue Phodrang District - seriously, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in the country.
Pele La acts as a natural divider, marking the spot where western Bhutan transitions into the central region. Keep an eye out for the chorten that marks the summit. On a clear day (good luck with that!), you might catch a glimpse of the majestic Mount Jomolhari (7,314m) and Jichu Drakye (6,989m). Feeling adventurous? There's a gnarly gravel track near the top that climbs to a radio/TV Repeater Station. Only attempt that with a 4x4 with serious clearance!
This road is a lengthy ride, stretching from Wangdue Phodrang (the district capital) all the way to Trongsa (the capital of its district).
What's the road like? Well, let's just say it's "paved" in the loosest sense of the word, with plenty of rough patches and gravel thrown in. Get ready for a steep climb and what feels like a million hairpin turns on the highway. Built back in the 90s, it's a real rollercoaster hugging the cliffside. Located in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, be warned, this route is crazy narrow. If you're prone to vertigo, maybe sit this one out.
Related Roads in asia
extremePereval Aktog
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near Ysyk-Köl, Kyrgyzstan, and you're craving a serious off-the-beaten-path experience, then Pereval Aktog Pass needs to be on your radar. Clocking in at a whopping 3,444 meters (that's 11,299 feet!), this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking *extreme*. Picture this: a super-narrow, gravel track clinging to the side of steep canyons carved with rice terraces and scree slopes. Forget your standard car – you'll need a 4x4 beast or a trusty bicycle to even attempt this climb. But hold on, it gets wilder. You'll be battling high altitudes, crazy weather, and winds that could knock you off your feet (seriously!). Even in summer, snow days aren't out of the question. Winter? Brutal. And with mist rolling in at any moment, visibility can drop to near zero. So why even bother? Because the views, my friends, are utterly epic. Gaze back at the majestic Tien Shan mountains and the striking black pyramid of Khan Tengri – some of the best scenery Central Asia has to offer. This is an adventure for the brave, the bold, and those who aren't afraid to get a little (or a lot) dirty. Just be prepared for anything!
hardThe Most Dangerous Roads in Taihang Mountains
🇨🇳 China
The Taihang Mountains form a mountain range along the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Shanxi, and Hebei. Extending 400 kilometers from north to south, the range boasts an average elevation of 1500 to 2000 meters. In Chinese, these tunnel roads are referred to as "Guabi Gonglu" (挂壁公路), meaning tunnel roads hanging from steep cliff faces. They comprise sections of tunnels concealed in rocks and visible roads constructed on cliffs. Among the most perilous roads in the Taihang Mountains, the Road is the most renowned. Connecting Guoliang Village to the outside through the Taihang Mountains, the final stretch is a 6-meter-wide, 4-meter-high, 1300-meter-long tunnel suspended about 100 to 400 meters high above sheer cliffs with 35 natural openings. Commencing on March 9th, 1972, villagers carved the tunnel road out of rock using their bare hands and basic tools, completing it in over 5 years. It officially opened on May 1st, 1977, in Huixian County, Henan Province. the narrowest Guabi Road in the southern Taihang Mountains, links Wangmangling Scenic Area in Shanxi Province with Wanxianshan Scenic Area in Henan Province. Construction commenced in 1992, resulting in a road extending over 6 kilometers along cliffs over a deep valley, with a 2200-meter-long tunnel featuring openings to the valley. Substantial renovation and expansion took place in 2009, making it a popular attraction in Wangmangling Scenic Area, Lingchuan County, Shanxi Province. Xiyagou Tunnel Road, a nearly 8-kilometer road on steep mountain slopes in Xiyagou Valley in the southern Taihang Mountains of Shanxi Province, was built by Xiyagou Village residents starting in 1962. The zigzag-shaped tunnel road at varying heights resembles the letter Z from afar. This challenging construction spanned over 30 years, with the road opening to traffic on June 28, 1991. , an 8-kilometer serpentine along a steep cliff with a 1-kilometer-long, approximately 8-meter-wide tunnel, began construction in November 1997 and was completed on January 10, 2002. Together with Xiyagou Tunnel Road, it links the two provinces of Henan and Shanxi through the southern Taihang Mountains. Gochak La, an epic enthralling road to the summit The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Balagezong Mountain Road 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.
moderateWhere is Mount Batu Brinchang?
🌍 Malaysia
Okay, picture this: you're in Malaysia, surrounded by the lush Cameron Highlands. You decide to tackle Mount Batu Brinchang, rumored to be the highest paved road in the whole country! This little adventure starts near Kea Farm and clocks in at just over 4 miles. Don't let the short distance fool you! Federal Route 432, built way back in the '20s, is a bit of a climb. You'll want to make sure your ride is in tip-top shape before you start. The road can feel a bit tight, almost like a one-way in spots, so be ready to honk around those blind corners. There might be times you're wondering why you decided to do this, especially with some sections hitting gradients of 10% and even 20% near the Gunung Irau camping site. That’s why they keep the speed limit down to 20 km/h. The journey to the top will take around 30 minutes. But trust me, it's worth it. Once you reach the 6,614-foot summit, you're treated to stunning panoramic views of the Titiwangsa Mountains. There’s an observation tower waiting for you, letting you soak it all in. Just be aware if you're not a fan of heights, maybe skip climbing the tower. The weather’s cooler up here, a welcome change from the lowlands. Be mindful of landslides if it's raining, as the slopes can get slick. Overall, this mountain, a favourite with visitors, offers a fantastic experience!
hardLangza
🇮🇳 India
Okay, so you're heading to Langza, a village way, way up in the Indian Himalayas, like 14,143 feet up! You'll find it tucked away in a scenic bowl in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley. The road there? Mostly paved, thankfully! But heads up: winter brings serious snowfall, and that can shut things down pretty quick. Keep an eye on the weather! Once you arrive, get ready for incredible views! A huge Buddha statue watches over the valley, and the ancient monastery and traditional mud houses are super cool. The climb itself is a 9-mile grunt, starting from the main Spiti Valley Road (Highway 505). You'll wind your way up through 14 hairpin turns, gaining over 2,100 feet in elevation. Expect some steep sections – some stretches hit a 10% grade. If you're not a fan of heights, maybe think twice! But trust me, the views are worth it!