Why is called the Hell Road?
India, asia
67.2 km
5,436 m
hard
Year-round
Kaksang La, nicknamed "Hell Road" by the locals, sits way up high in the Leh district of Ladakh, India, at a lung-busting 17,834 feet! Fully paved as of 2022, this is possibly the highest pass a foreign driver can conquer in India with just a regular Protected Area Pass.
Located near the Line of Actual Control with China, this remote road is usually snowed in during winter. The weather can be brutal up here, so prepare for icy winds! This isolated 42-mile (67.2 km) stretch twists and turns between Chushul and Mahe in the Changthang region, sometimes facing small landslides and loose rocks.
While not as famous as other passes, the drive is visually stunning. Picture this: mind-blowing views of lakes, mountains, and valleys as you journey through the Himalayas.
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 67.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,436 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in asia
moderateDare to drive the dangerous Kotal-e Lashkar Rah
🌍 Afghanistan
Kotal-e Lashkar Rah is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.934m (9,625ft) above the sea level, located in Ghor Province, in central Afghanistan. The winding mountain road to the summit is unpaved. It’s called Asian Highway 77 (AH77), a main road running from Jabal Saraj, Afghanistan to Mary, Turkmenistan. 4x4 vehicle recommended after rains. The area is very remote. Open to traffic throughout the year, the road may be closed for short periods in winter when the weather is bad. The pass is 115 km (71.45 miles) long running west-east from Chaghcharān, also called Firozkoh, on the southern side of the Hari River, to Lal wa Sarjangal, also called La'l Wa Sar Jangal or simply Lal. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets etc. are rare to find. Travel guide to the top of Pereval Torbulak Navigating Shah Mansoor Pass, Afghanistan's Majestic Heights 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.
extremeHow challenging is the road to Rezang La?
🇮🇳 India
Okay, picture this: you're bumping along one of the highest roads in India, smack-dab on the border between Ladakh and China. We're talking Rezang La, or Rechin La, perched at a lung-busting 17,057 feet! This isn't your Sunday drive. The landscape is seriously desolate – think stark, quiet, and almost no green in sight. This area is heavily guarded, and rightfully so, given its location. The road? Forget smooth asphalt. It's all gravel and rocks, a real test for both you and your ride. You *need* a high-clearance 4x4, trust me. Steep climbs and hairpin turns are the name of the game. And heads up: in winter, this pass is buried in snow and totally off-limits. There are two main ways to get up here, one starting from \[Starting Point 1] and another from \[Starting Point 2]. Both routes are narrow and busy with military vehicles, so keep your eyes peeled and be ready to pull over. But Rezang La is more than just a challenging drive. It's a place steeped in history. This is where the legendary 13 Kumaon battalion made their stand during the 1962 war. You'll find the Rezang La War Memorial near the top, a poignant tribute to those brave soldiers who fought in absolutely brutal conditions. It's a powerful reminder of the pass's importance in protecting the Chushul Valley.
hardWhere are these passes located?
🇨🇳 China
Okay, picture this: Lalung La and Nyalam Tong La — two sky-high passes in Tibet that basically form the edge of the world! Seriously, these passes (you might also hear them called Yakrushong La, Tong La, or Thong La) are the last big hurdle on the Friendship Highway before it dives down to Nepal. We're talking about a 57 km (35-mile) stretch of road from Mainpu to Yalaixiang, clinging to the southern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. But the real reason you're here is the views! **Shishapangma Alert!** Get ready for Shishapangma (all 8,012 meters of it!). It’s the only 8,000-meter peak entirely in China, and from here, you get this insane, up-close panoramic view of the whole Himalayan range. On a clear day, it's mind-blowing. **The "Great Descent"** Hold on tight, because from the top of Nyalam Tong La (5,150m), the road plummets towards Kodari, a border town at a mere 1,500m. That's a wild 3,600-meter drop! You'll start in a high-altitude desert and end up in a jungle. It's epic! **Heads Up!** The road's paved, but don't underestimate this stretch of the China-Nepal Highway. The air is thin, which can mess with your engine and your head. If you've got heart or breathing issues, be super careful. Also, these passes are usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. While the road looks smooth, it's full of hairpin turns that will test your brakes. Plus, during monsoon season, landslides are a real threat.
hardIf you love to drive, you'll love the road to Yarto Drak La
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventurers, let's talk about Yarto Drak La, a seriously high mountain pass in Tibet's Qusum County. We're talking a whopping 5,038 meters (16,528 feet) above sea level! The road itself is paved, so that's a bonus, and it winds through these incredibly remote and desolate valleys. You'll find it north of, so plan accordingly. Heads up: altitude sickness is a real concern up here, so take it slow and listen to your body. And if you're planning a winter trip, be prepared for snow and slippery conditions. This route cuts north-south from Shannan (Lhoka) to Cona, running through the fertile Yarlung Valley. Keep an eye out for Zhalacuo, a small lake right at the top of the pass. Plus, you'll get a peek at Yarlha Shampo, a stunning 6636m peak steeped in Tibetan legend – supposedly, the first king of Tibet descended from heaven right here!