Who built Al Hada Road?
Arabian Peninsula, asia
79.9 km
1,975 m
moderate
Year-round
Located in the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, Al Hada Road is one of the most spectacular drives in the country, with 93 bends.
Who built Al Hada Road?
Construction of the road started in the 1950s, under the reign of King Abdulaziz. It’s considered one of the most beautiful and important mountain roads in the region. The drive offers enchanting and attractive views at night.
How long is Al Hada Road?
Set high in the southwestern part of the country, the road, known as Route 15, is fully paved. It’s 79.9 km (49.64 miles) long, running east-west from Taif to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city.
Why is Al Hada Road famous?
The road climbs up to Al-Hadā, a mountain resort city at an elevation of 1,975m (6,479ft) above sea level. The road is most notable for its wavy, spiral design, and the occasional twists and turns. Along the way, you can stop to watch the monkeys that live in the mountains.
Is Al Hada Road challenging?
The road is not easy, with very steep parts and sweeping turns. Breathtaking and majestic, the road rises 6,500 feet in 21 km and has 93 bends. At higher elevations, you can expect foggy conditions around the mountains and temperatures as low as 20 degrees Celsius.
Driving the defiant Al Baha's 25 Tunnels of Saudi Arabia
Highway 1 of Iraq was the world's scariest highway
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
- Arabian Peninsula
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 79.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,975 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in asia
hardTravel guide to the top of Peacock Mountain Pass
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for the ride of your life on the Kongque Shan Yakou, or Peacock Mountain Pass! You'll find this beast straddling the border between Nujiang and Dêqên Prefectures, high up in China's Yunnan Province. We're talking serious altitude here - 3,891m (12,765ft) above sea level! The road, mostly unpaved S318, throws down a gauntlet with its steep climbs and approximately 50 hairpin turns. Definitely bring your 4x4 for this one! The pass stretches 96.6 km (60 miles) from the S237 road towards Pengdangxiang. This isn't a quick spin; budget about 2.5 hours to conquer it non-stop. Word to the wise if you get carsick easily, this might test your limits! But, if you're chasing a true off-the-grid experience, this remote route promises an unforgettable journey and views for days.
hardA paved mountain road to Tso Kar Lake
🇮🇳 India
Okay, adventure awaits at Tso Kar, a dazzling "White Lake" shimmering at 14,860 feet in southern Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir! This isn't just any lake; it's a haven for incredible wildlife and a birdwatcher's paradise, thanks to the marshlands teeming with feathered friends. The road's all paved now as of the 2020s, stretching for about 43 miles east-west from Nyoma to the Leh–Manali Highway at Meroo. Pro tip: Gas up beforehand! Fuel stops are a trek back to Leh or Keylong. And ATMs? Nope, so bring enough cash to cover your expenses. The road peaks at Polongka La, a mighty pass soaring to 15,892 feet! Brace yourself for extreme weather. Winter dips to -40°C, while summer can surprisingly hit 30°C, with crazy temperature swings. Rain or snow is rare. If you're camping, pack ALL the woolens. Seriously, the open grasslands get super chilly and windy. But hey, the views? Totally worth it!
extremeJerko La
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for the Jerko La Pass (also known as the Tibet-Xinjiang Highway or the "Sky Road"!), clocking in at a whopping 4,832 meters (15,853 feet) high in Tibet, China. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. Picture this: you're surrounded by crazy-beautiful mountain vistas, yaks chilling, and maybe even a nomadic family or two. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, reality check: you're also gasping for air in terrain so harsh it's almost alien. This "Sky Road" keeps you consistently above 5,000m – altitude sickness is a serious threat, so acclimatize beforehand! The road itself? Let's just say it's "character-building." Think steep climbs, stretches of nothingness for hundreds of kilometers (pack those snacks!), and temperatures that can plummet way below freezing at night. We're talking -25 degrees Celsius or lower! Although paved since 2013, the road will test your mettle. Despite feeling like you're on another planet, this route (G219) does pass by some seriously cool historical and religious spots. Just do your homework *before* you go. Weather in Tibet is no joke. Winter brings brutal cold and wind that'll cut you in half, often closing roads due to snow. Even summer can throw surprise snowstorms your way. Monsoon season (July-August) brings heavy rains that can make driving a nightmare. There are truck stops roughly a day's drive apart, but bring extra food, water, and a sleeping bag (a tent wouldn’t hurt either) just in case. This adventure isn't for the faint of heart!
hardIs the road to Thato La paved?
🇮🇳 India
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Thato La, sitting way up high in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India, at a dizzying 5,090m (16,699ft), is calling your name. Good news! This beast of a road, also called Satatho La, got a full makeover in 2022 and is now paved. Locals used to call this road "hell" because of the gnarly turns on gravel, but now it's a smooth ride – well, as smooth as it can be with hundreds of hairpin turns that’ll test your driving skills! You can totally drive it! Located way up north near the border with China, it's typically snowed in during winter. Expect crazy weather and a seriously biting wind. It's pretty remote, carved into the mountains, and you might spot some small landslides. The good news is you don't need special permits other than the standard Protected Area Pass/ILP. This incredible stretch of road is about 67.2 km (41.75 miles) long, connecting Chushul to Mahe in the Changthang region on a north-south axis. Is it worth it? YES! You'll be blown away by the stunning scenery, with views of gorgeous lakes, mountains, and valleys. It's located north of Mirpal Tso lake, so keep an eye out for some amazing photo ops.