Kotal-e Qonaq: a dangerous curvy road to the summit

Kotal-e Qonaq is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.407m (11,177ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Daykundi and Bamyan provinces,  in the central part of Afghanistan.

Kotal-e Qonaq

Tucked away in the Hindu Kush mountain range, the winding busy truck road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s very curvy with many hairpin turns. When the snow falls - which it does in the winter – things get tough and slippery. If you do choose this route please check up to date information due to the security situation: terrorist attacks, ongoing armed conflict, risk of kidnapping and high crime rate.

Located in the central highlands of the country, the pass is 15 km (9.32 miles) long, running north-south from Ghunagh (Bamyan Province) towards Khushkdara (Daykundi Province). The road is being improved the last years, with the construction of a new tunnel to bypass the most dangerous sections.
Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson
Pic&video: ZAWIA MUSIC

 

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