What are the most spectacular roads in India?

Located in the southern part of Asia, India covers a total area of 3,287,263 square kilometres (1,269,219 sq mi). With a very diverse landscape, comprising snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, plains and a coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometers, the country offers never-ending driving experiences and 200 of the most spectacular roads in the world. One of the most challenging drives is the road to Umling La. At 5.882m (19,300ft) above sea level it is the highest paved road on Earth offering views that can make you feel on top of the world. If you like challenging mountain roads situated at high elevations, remember to check out our list of the highest roads in India.

The country shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Some of the borders are on high mountain passes, so the country features some of the highest roads in the world. Another driving challenges are the road from Kishtwar to Keylong, said to be India's most terrifying road, or the isolated road to Jalori Pass, a mountain pass at 3,134m (10,282ft) above sea level. The country experiences a wide range of climates, from tropical to alpine, and monsoon rains influencing much of the country.

Gangotri is a small town located in the northern part of Uttarakhand, India, at an elevation of 3,415m (11,204ft) above sea level. The road to the town runs along vertical cliffs without guardrails.

Varandha Ghat is a mountain pass at an elevation of 545m (1,788ft) above sea level, located in the state of Maharashtra, in India.

Tso Kar is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4,530m (14,860ft) above sea level, located in the southern part of Ladakh in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Depsang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,376 m (17,637 ft) above sea level, located in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Sirsir La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,804m (15,761ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Kaobal Gali is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,167m (13,671 ft) above sea level, located in the northern part of India.

Located in Uttarakhand, India, Badrinath is a mountain temple at an elevation of 3,133m (10,279ft) above sea level.

Tso Lhamo Lake is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 5,330m (17,490ft) above sea level, located in North Sikkim, India. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Kiu La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.711m (18,736ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the world's highest motorable roads.

Rajmachi road is a gravel dirt track located in the rugged mountains of Sahyadri in India. This steep road climbs up to the forts of Rajmachi: Shrivardhan fort and Manaranjan Fort.

Located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, the Shansha Bridge is in very poor condition. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Daulat Beg Oldi is a military base at an elevation of 5.067m (16,624ft) above the sea level, located in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Polongka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,844m (15,892ft) above sea level, located in the southern part of Ladakh in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, the Jyotirmath-Malari road is an asphalted high mountain road located within the Nanda Devi National Park.

Kondaveedu Fort is an ancient hill fortress at an elevation of 292m (958ft) above the sea level, located in Guntur district, in the Coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Imis La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.290m (17,355ft) above the sea level, located between Ladakh (India) and Tibet (China). It is one among the major passes over the main Himalayan Range. 

Lamayuru Monastery is a high mountain monastery at an elevation of 3.510m (11,515ft) above the sea level, located in Kargil District, Western Ladakh, India.

Located in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, Korzok is the highest town in the country, at an elevation of 4.570m (15,000ft) above sea level. 

Jauljibi-Madkote Road is a very scary cliff road located in the Indo-Nepal border. The road is in dreadful condition and requires strong nerves to negotiate it. If your GPS ever thinks it's a good idea to drive on this road, it may be time to get a new one.

Kongka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.192m (17,034ft) above the sea level, located on the disputed region of Aksai Chin in the Chinese-Indian Line of Control.

Namshang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.960m (16,273ft) above the sea level, located in Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jot Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.440m (8,005ft) above the sea level, located in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Jalebi bends is a series of 23 hairpin bends located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. It’s an epic enthralling road.

Kungzhag La is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.780m (18,963ft) above the sea level, located on the Indian (Sikkim) and Chinese (Tibet) border. It’s one of the World's highest motorable roads.

Umba La, also known as Umbala Top, is a high mountain pass standing at an elevation of 4.496m (14,750ft) above sea level. It is situated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, nestled within the Suru Valley near the Line of Control (LoC), which delineates the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled territories of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kaldang-Kildang La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.095m (13,435ft) above the sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Rangdum Monastery is an imposing 18th century Buddhist monastery, at an elevation of 4.031m (13,225ft) above the sea level, located in the head of the Suru Valley, in Ladakh, a region of India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Demchok-Dêmqog is a high mountain border at an elevation of 4.219m (13,841ft) above the sea level, located on the Line of Actual Control between Jammu and Kashmir (India) and Tibet Autonomous Region (China).

Sapi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.397m (14,425ft) above the sea level, located in Ladakh, a region of India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Natha Top is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.677m (8,782ft) above the sea level, located in Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Padri Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.037m (9,963ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of  Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, in northern India.

Tso Moriri is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.522m (14,836ft) above the sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ane La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.370m (17,618ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Tsaka La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.646m (15,242ft) above the sea level, located in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state.

Located in the Indian state of Assam, the Chandana River Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Hamboting La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.056m (13,307 ft) above the sea level, located in Ladakh region, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Rezang La is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.199m (17,057ft) above the sea level, located on the China-India border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

At an elevation of 4.358m (14,297ft) above the sea level, Col Chewang Rinchen Setu bridge is India's highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge.

Namika La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,823m (12,542ft) above sea level, located in Ladakh, India.

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