A beautiful mountain road to Anbarkesh Pass
Iran, asia
23 km
2,776 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, let me tell you about the legendary Anbarkesh Pass in northern Iran! This beast of a road straddles the border between the Mazandaran and Qazvin provinces and hits an altitude of 2,776m (9,107ft).
Picture this: you're south of NaftChak Peak, inching your way along a 23 km (14 mile) unpaved track that connects the tiny village of Separ Deh with Viar. This high-altitude link is your ticket between Ramsar and Alamut-e Gharbi District.
Now, hold on tight! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking hairpin turns galore, steep drops that'll make your palms sweat, and a seriously loose surface. You'll need some solid mountain driving experience to tackle this one.
Forget your sedan; a 4x4 is non-negotiable to handle the terrain and those killer gradients. Aim for late spring or early summer (June and July) for the best chance to get through, because the Alborz Mountains can get seriously snowy and gnarly the rest of the year!
Where is it?
A beautiful mountain road to Anbarkesh Pass is located in Iran (asia). Coordinates: 32.8251, 52.4530
Road Details
- Country
- Iran
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 23 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,776 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 32.8251, 52.4530
Related Roads in asia
moderateDriving the 208 Bends of the Panlong Ancient Road
🇨🇳 China
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because the Panlong Ancient Road in China's Xinjiang region is a wild ride! We're talking serious Pamir Plateau vibes, high in the Kunlun Mountains. They call it the Pamir Plateau Sky Road, and it lives up to the name. This snaking beauty clocks in at just 36km (22 miles), but don't let the short distance fool you. This road is a twisty masterpiece built to help the local mountain farmers. Foreigners, you'll need a special pass to get to Tashkurgan in Kashgar, so plan ahead! Picture this: you're leaving Habu Sikalai (a tiny spot on the X614) heading west toward Taxkorghan (right on the G314). Now, get ready for over 208 hairpin turns! Seriously, take it slow, especially if the weather's dicey or you spot any signs of mudslides. The summit? A whopping 4,269m (14,005ft) high at Wuguliyate Daban, with some seriously steep sections (up to 11.8%!). It's a fully paved road, making it a driving enthusiast's dream. Word to the wise: this road is usually closed from late October to late March, just like the other famous Xinjiang routes.
hardIs the Road to Yasib Unpaved?
🌍 Arabian Peninsula
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in Oman's Al Batinah South Governorate, perched at a cool 1,200m above sea level, lies the road to Yasib (or Yasab, if you prefer). Should you even attempt it? That's the real question. First off, if you're not a fan of heights or the idea of landslides, just turn back now. Seriously. This 19.5km (12.11 miles) track south of Fasah climbs to 1,965m in the Western Hajar Mountains. We're talking seriously narrow stretches, barely wide enough for one vehicle. Get ready to become intimately familiar with your reverse gear, because you might be backing up for kilometers to find a passing spot. If reversing isn't your strong suit, steer clear! A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential. The surface is a mix of gravel, sand, and rocks in decidedly poor condition. Oh, and did I mention the sheer drops? We're talking hundreds of meters with absolutely no guardrails. One wrong move, and... well, let's just say the view might be the last thing you see. It's a wild ride of awe-inspiring scenery mixed with a healthy dose of "hold-on-tight" apprehension.
moderateYashikul Lake
🌍 Tajikistan
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. Nestled in the center of the Pamir Mountains in the Alikhur valley, the road to the lake is unpaved. It is subject to winter snowfalls with such a high summit altitude, and it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. 4wd vehicle required. Being 50 metres deep at its deepest point, Yashikul lake is 19 km long and from 1 to 4 km across. After rain, even a single rainfall, conditions of the road can be challenging. Watch out for sudden loose-gravel breaks. Locals believe the lake is a home for a huge and magic animal - "Tuya Suu" - the water camel. The area offers many “lunar landscapes”, scenic views and spectacular sunsets. The terrain here is desolate but grandiose. The water is fresh and has rich flora and fauna. It is known as one of the coldest places in the former Soviet Union, with a record minimum temperature of -63 degrees Celsius recorded. Even in summer, you should dress warm once the sun goes down. Pic: Gianfranco di Summa 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.
extremeDriving the challenging road to Se La Pass in the Himalayas
🇮🇳 India
Okay, buckle up for the epic Sela Pass! This beauty sits way up high at 13,772 feet, marking the spot where Tawang meets West Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Seriously, it’s *the* place to be for tourists around here. Legend says it's named after a local hero, Sela, who helped out a soldier back in the day. So yeah, history *and* killer views! You'll be cruising on National Highway 13, the lifeline to Tawang. Expect mostly smooth pavement, but Mother Nature sometimes throws in a bit of gravel to keep things interesting, especially after wild weather. The road's all twists and turns, but those Himalayan vistas? Totally worth it. Just keep your eyes peeled on those tricky sections! It's a 62-mile stretch from Jang to Dirang. The whole drive's a snowy mountain panorama. Be warned: the air's thin up here, so pace yourself. Normally, Sela Pass is open, but heavy snow or landslides can shut things down temporarily during winter. Factor in 3-4 hours of pure driving time, but trust me, you'll want to stop. Hit up Sela Lake (aka Paradise Lake) – it's right near the top and super sacred to the Tibetan Buddhists. Heads up! They're building a new tunnel that'll make getting here even easier year-round. Word is, it'll be done soon, connecting Guwahati to Tawang with tunnels and better roads.