
How Long is Heaven's Road?
China, asia
N/A
625 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Heaven's Road, and yeah, the name is pretty accurate! This cliff-hugging motorway in China is a total jaw-dropper. We're talking some serious elevation changes, starting at 2,050 feet and climbing to a breathtaking 3,855 feet above sea level. The scenery is absolutely astonishing.
Now, let's be real, this isn't a Sunday drive for the faint of heart. The road winds and weaves for roughly , packed with dozens of super-tight hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. It’s carved right into the side of a seriously steep mountain. But hey, the dramatic views are totally worth it!
You'll start your adventure near , a tiny mountain village, and end up... well, wherever the road takes you, hopefully somewhere with even more incredible views. Just maybe skip this one if you get queasy easily!
Road Details
- Country
- China
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 625 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in asia
moderateThe ultimate guide to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the roof of Japan
🇯🇵 Japan
Okay, picture this: you're smack-dab in the Japanese Alps, cruising a wild route that straddles Toyama and Nagano prefectures. Welcome to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route! This isn't your average road trip. We're talking 37 kilometers (23 miles) of pure mountain majesty, carving through the Tateyama range and linking Toyama City with Omachi Town. You'll climb to a breathtaking 2,450 meters (8,038 feet) above sea level, so get ready for some serious views. Heads up: this route is a no-go zone from December to mid-April because, well, Japan! But that's part of the adventure! When it reopens in mid-May, you're greeted by these insane snow walls that can tower up to 15 meters! We're talking serious snowdrifts – Murodo-daira gets an average of seven meters, and the Otani snow area can hit a mind-blowing 20 meters. Here's the deal: private cars aren't allowed between Tateyama Station and Ogizawa. This opened way back in 1971. But that's what keeps it so pristine and amazing, attracting around a million visitors annually. Is it worth it? A resounding YES! They call it the "Roof of Japan" for a reason. On a clear day, you can even snag views of Mt. Fuji. The Tateyama Mountain Range is the star of the show, showcasing the Chubu Sangaku National Park. And those snow walls? Unforgettable! Plus, you'll have flowers in summer, and autumn leaves add a fiery touch come fall.
hardA Once in a Lifetime Drive to Zaka La
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Zaka La is calling your name! This high-altitude pass, perched at a staggering 16,141 feet in Tibet's Nagqu region, is a true off-road experience. Forget pavement – this is an all-dirt affair stretching nearly 49 miles from Wenbuxiang to Nyima, hugging the shoreline of the breathtaking Dangqiong Cuo lake. I'm talking serious high-clearance, 4-wheel drive territory. Anything less and you're asking for trouble! Set aside at least two hours for this epic journey, but honestly, you'll want more time to soak in the otherworldly scenery. Think surreal landscapes and raw, untamed beauty. It's a drive you won't soon forget!
moderateDare to drive the dangerous Kotal-e Lashkar Rah
🌍 Afghanistan
Kotal-e Lashkar Rah is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.934m (9,625ft) above the sea level, located in Ghor Province, in central Afghanistan. The winding mountain road to the summit is unpaved. It’s called Asian Highway 77 (AH77), a main road running from Jabal Saraj, Afghanistan to Mary, Turkmenistan. 4x4 vehicle recommended after rains. The area is very remote. Open to traffic throughout the year, the road may be closed for short periods in winter when the weather is bad. The pass is 115 km (71.45 miles) long running west-east from Chaghcharān, also called Firozkoh, on the southern side of the Hari River, to Lal wa Sarjangal, also called La'l Wa Sar Jangal or simply Lal. Facilities like electricity, medical aid, hot running water, western toilets etc. are rare to find. Travel guide to the top of Pereval Torbulak Navigating Shah Mansoor Pass, Afghanistan's Majestic Heights 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.
hardWhere is Lake Maralgöl?
🌍 Azerbaijan
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Lake Maralgöl in Azerbaijan's Ganja-Gazakh region! Seriously, this place is a total stunner, sitting pretty high up at 1,910m (6,266ft). Getting there is part of the adventure. We're talking about the Goygol-Maralgol Road, about 11.1km (6.89 miles) of mostly unpaved fun that branches off the R19 near Toghanali. Be warned: it’s steep! You'll climb 743 meters with some serious gradients. Most cars can handle it when it’s dry, but the final stretch can be a bit rough – think mud and chunky rocks. The views though? Totally worth it. You're snaking through the Murovdag Mountains in the Göygöl Milli Parkı (Goygol National Park), surrounded by incredible scenery all the way to the parking near the lake. The lake itself is super deep at 60m and was formed by an earthquake way back when. Trust me, Lake Maralgöl is an Azerbaijani gem you won't want to miss.