What are the most spectacular roads in Tajikistan?

The Republic of Tajikistan is a landlocked country located in the central part of Asia. Due to its topography, the country is a paradise for 4x4 drivers and fans of high mountain roads. It’s worth noting that 93% of the country is covered by mountains.

It’s not strange that the country hosts the highest road pass in the former Soviet Union, the Ak-Baital Pass, at an elevation of 4.670m (15,321ft) above sea level. It's also worth driving through the dangerous Anzob Pass. It is a mountain pass at 3.372m (11,062ft) above sea level. Due to its dangers, the pass was bypassed by the Anzob Tunnel, one of the most lethal tunnels in the world.

For the bravest drivers, the country hosts the Pamir Highway, the second highest altitude international highway in the world, an excellent challenge for 4x4 adventure travelers. Most of the road is paved (although in very bad conditions) and stretches more than 1,200km between Osh (in Kyrgyzstan) and Dushanbe (in Tajikistan) through the Pamir Mountains. The road is heavily damaged in places by erosion, earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches. The country shares borders with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, China, and Afghanistan, covering an area of 142,600 km2 (55,100 sq mi). Keep in mind that the country has a varied climate, ranging from subtropical in the lowlands to polar in the high mountains, so better check twice the weather before embarking on any road trip.

The historical Pamir Highway (M41) is an excellent challenge for 4x4 adventure travelers. Most of the road is paved (in very bad conditions) and stretches more than 1,200km between Osh (in Kyrgyzstan) and Dushanbe (in Tajikistan) through the Pamir Mountains. The road is heavily damaged in places by erosion, earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches.

Located in the Sughd Region of Tajikistan, Anzob Tunnel is said to be the most dangerous tunnel in the world. Nicknamed the Tunnel of Fear and the Tunnel of Death by locals, it lacks proper lighting and ventilation, and breathing is hard and painful due to the thick mixture of exhaust gases.

Anzob Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.372m (11,062ft) above sea level, located in the Sughd Region of Tajikistan. Due its dangerousness, the pass was bypassed by one of the most dangerous tunnels in the world. It’s a dark, dangerous place, with hardly any lights inside and it’s suffocating as there’s no ventilation except for one fan.

Ak-Baital Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.670m (15,321ft) above sea level, located in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan. At this elevation, it’s the highest road pass in the former Soviet Union.

Pereval Khargush is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.319m (14,169ft) above sea level, located in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.

Kulma Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,362m (14,311ft) above sea level, located on the border of China and Tajikistan.

Aghbai Khaburabot is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.852m (12,637ft) above sea level, located in the Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan.

Kok Jar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,807m (12,490ft) above sea level, located in the Kūhistoni Badakhshon Autonomous Region of Tajikistan. The road may be impassable at times, even for 4×4 vehicles.

Murghab is a high mountain town at an elevation of 3,618m (11,869ft) above sea level, located in the Murghob District of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, in Tajikistan. It’s one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth.

Located in southern Tajikistan, the Kulob-Qal'ai Khumb road is a very challenging experience following the Afghan border closely along the Panj river. This road has humbled many egos. It’s not for the sissies and shouldn’t be attempted by novice drivers.

Karakul Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.900m (12,800ft) above the sea level, located in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan.

Koitezyak Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.122m (13,523ft) above the sea level, located within the Badakhshan National Park, in the Pamir Mountains of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Tajikistan.

Kyzylart Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.292m (14,081ft) above sea level located on the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border. 

Pereval Nayzatash is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.134m (13,562ft) above sea level, located in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.

Located in southern Tajikistan, the Khudkham River bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. The bridge is 28m long.

Kurgush Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.083m (13,395ft) above the sea level, located within the Badakhshan National Park, in the Pamir Mountains of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Tajikistan.

Pereval Tagarkaty is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.160m (13,648ft) above the sea level, located within the Badakhshan National Park, in the Pamir Mountains of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Tajikistan.

Shakhristan Pass (Pereval Shakhristan) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.751m (9,025ft) above the sea level, located in the north west part of Tajikistan.

Lake Iskander-kul is an alpine lake of glacial origin at an elevation of 2.242m (7,355ft) above the sea level, located in Sughd province, in western Tajikistan.

M34 is the name of a major highway of Tajikistan, running from Dushanbe, the capital of the country, and Khujand, the country's second largest city.

Yashikul lake is a fresh-water alpine lake at an elevation of 3.976m (13,044ft) above the sea level, located in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, in southeast Tajikistan.

Pereval Oburdon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.902m (12,801ft) above the sea level located in Sughd Region, in the northwest of Tajikistan.

Bulun Kul Lake is a fresh-water alpine lake at an elevation of 3.751m (12,306ft) above the sea level, located in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, in southeast Tajikistan.

Pereval Uy-Bulak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.264m (13,989ft) above the sea level, located in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.

Kaindı is an international high mountain peak with an elevation of 4,915m (16,125ft) above sea level, situated on the border between China and Tajikistan.

Tuzanchi is an international high mountain peak with an elevation of 4.893m (16,053ft) above sea level, situated on the border between China and Tajikistan.

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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.