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.

Nakee La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.769m (15,647ft) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Wari La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.312m (17,427ft) above sea level, located in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Loam’s Viewpoint is a beautiful lookout at an elevation of 780m (2,559ft) above sea level, located in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, India.

Dongkha La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.492m (18,018ft) above sea level, located in the northern part of the state of Sikkim, India, near the Chinese border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Saser La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.411m (17,753ft) above sea level, located in the eastern part of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, in India. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Se La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,198m (13,772ft) above sea level, straddling the boundary between Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, in India. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the area.

Gata Loops is a series of 21 hairpin turns located in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It's one of the most famous hairpinned roads in the world.

Tsomgo Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,753m (12,313ft) above sea level, located in East Sikkim, in India.

Pangsau Pass is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.136m (3,727ft) above sea level, located on the crest of the Patkai Hills on the India-Burma (Myanmar) border.

Sinthan Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.792m (12,440ft) above sea level, located in Anantnag district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The road from Chalakudy to Valparai is a very scenic drive running across the Sholayar Reserve Forest, in India.

East Coast Road (ECR) is a highway located in Tamil Nadu, India, connecting Chennai to Kanyakumari. The road is known for its scenic views and also for its eerie tales.

Komic is a high mountain town at an elevation of 4.572m (15,049ft) above sea level, located in Lahaul and Spiti district of Northen indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Sadhana Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,130m (10,269ft) above sea level, located in the Tangdar in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, in India.

Bomdi La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.608m (8,556ft) above sea level, located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India.

Chanshal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,800m (12,467ft) above sea level, located in the Shimla district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. To reach the summit, you will be driving on some of the narrowest roads you have ever been on, barely wide enough for one car in certain stretches.

Located on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India, the road from Manjur to Mulli is one of the steepest drives in the country. The curvy road is a bit challenging, but the scenery is worth the ride.

Lachulung La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.059m (16,598ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) in India.

Pensi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,494m (14,744ft) above sea level located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, in India.

Located on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in India, the Atal Tunnel (nicknamed as Rohtang Tunnel) is the world’s longest tunnel at an altitude above 3,000m.

The road linking Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso (Spangmik) via Agham – Shyok villages is located in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The journey offers an exhilarating driving experience, with superb views.

Malling Nala is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,875m (12,713ft) above sea level, located in Himachal Pradesh, India. The pass is notorious for landslides, rushing water, and general chaos. People suffering from vertigo are advised not to look outside, as the views can be both unnerving and harsh.

The Mughal Road is a scenic yet challenging drive located in Jammu and Kashmir, in northern India.

Kyagar Tso is a very small saline lake at an elevation of 4,705 meters (15,436 feet) above sea level, located in the Ladakh region of the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Roghi is a high mountain village at an elevation of 2,754m (9,035ft) above sea level, located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, in India. The road to the town is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world and is definitely not for people who have vertigo.

Pir Ki Gali Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,485 m (11,433 ft) above sea level, located in Jammu and Kashmir, in India.

Banihal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,157m (7,076ft) above sea level, located in the Ramban district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

NH 183A is a curvy mountain road located in the state of Kerala, in South India. It can become very slippery after rain, making it challenging to navigate.

Located in the northwestern part of Himachal, in India, driving the challenging road from Dalhousie to Khajjiar is no easy task.

Gurudongmar Lake is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 5,154 m (16,909 ft) above sea level, located in the Indian state of Sikkim. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Located in the Kannur district of Kerala, in India, Muzhappilangad Beach is the only drive-in beach in Asia. With 4 km of firm sand and shallow water, it attracts cars and motorcyclists from everywhere. Just be sure to avoid getting salt water on your vehicle.

Located  in West Godavari district of the Indian state Andhra Pradesh, the Kolleru Wood Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Sangetsar Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,708m (12,165ft) above sea level, located in the Tawang district in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh, in India. It’s one of the world’s famous hairpin roads.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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