Is the road to Kichik-Alay Pass unpaved?

Is the road to Kichik-Alay Pass unpaved?

Kyrgyzstan, asia

Length

36.7 km

Elevation

4,140 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan, you'll find Pereval Kichik-Alay, a sky-high mountain pass topping out at a whopping 4,140m (13,582ft). Seriously, this is one of the highest roads in the whole country!

Forget smooth asphalt; this is a rough and rugged mining road, so a 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential. Expect some seriously steep climbs and keep in mind that winter makes this route impassable.

The adventure begins in Tura-Chita, and from there, it's a 36.7 km (22.8 miles) climb to the top. You'll gain 1,784m in elevation, which translates to an average gradient of 4.86%. Fair warning: the eastern side of the summit ends at a working coal mine, and you'll be sharing the road with plenty of trucks. But hey, the views are totally worth it!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Kyrgyzstan
Continent
asia
Length
36.7 km
Max Elevation
4,140 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in asia

Can you drive through Karakol Gorge?hard

Can you drive through Karakol Gorge?

🌍 Kyrgyzstan

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Region, you HAVE to check out Karakol Gorge. Carved by the Karakol River in the Ak-Suu District, this alpine canyon is seriously breathtaking. Now, getting through it? That's another story. The 13-mile (21.3 km) dirt road from Karakol is ROUGH. Think super steep climbs, primitive wooden bridges, and a surface that's seen better days. You'll definitely need a 4x4 beast (two driving axles are your friend here) and some serious driving skills to conquer this terrain. The road tops out at 8,618 feet (2.627m) above sea level, so be prepared for snow blocking the path well into summer. Flooding can also make it impassable at any time. But here's the kicker: because it's so remote, you might spot some incredible wildlife. We're talking mountain goats, deer, maybe even a lynx, wild boar, snow leopard, wolf, bear, or eagle! Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready.

How to drive to Nakole in the Tibet Autonomous Region?hard

How to drive to Nakole in the Tibet Autonomous Region?

🇨🇳 China

Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Nakole Pass! This beast of a road climbs to a staggering 5,510m (that's 18,077ft!) in Coqên County, China. Nestled in the wild, remote Tibetan Plateau, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in the country. Picture this: you're in the southeast of Ngari Prefecture, way out west in Tibet, surrounded by the Gangdise and Kunlun ranges. It's a desolate landscape, dotted with shimmering salt lakes and the occasional nomadic settlement. Forget smooth asphalt – this is a 90km (55 miles) unpaved adventure of gravel and rocks, kicking off from the S206. Some sections are barely marked, demanding serious navigation skills and a high-clearance 4x4. Oh, and did I mention the altitude? That notorious lack of oxygen will hit both your engine and your lungs hard! As you grind your way across the Changtang Plateau, keep an eye out for Jiesa Lake (Gyesar Tso), a massive, shimmering lake sitting pretty at almost 5,000m. Heads up: this pass is really only accessible during the summer months, think July to September. The rest of the year, it's a snowy, icy wasteland, impassable for most vehicles. Also, there are absolutely no facilities – no gas, no help – along that entire 90km stretch, so come prepared!

Yaha Passhard

Yaha Pass

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Yaha Pass! This beast sits way up in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of China, clocking in at a whopping 4,641 meters (that's over 15,000 feet!). Be warned: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking gravel, rocks, bumps, and twists that will keep even seasoned drivers on their toes. The road itself is a rough-and-tumble mix of gravel and rock. 4x4 is highly recommended. But, oh, the views! You'll be surrounded by vibrant alpine flowers like primulas and rhododendrons clinging to the landscape. Just picture yourself winding through this remote area, with snow-capped peaks in the distance. Nestled west of majestic Mount Gongga, this route is a photographer's dream. Think sweeping alpine meadows, quirky local houses, and mind-blowing mountain vistas. The weather is a total wildcard, so be prepared for anything, from sunshine to sudden snowstorms. Keep an eye on the forecast because even a little rain can turn this road into a serious challenge or even close it down completely. Reaching the top rewards you with an unbeatable panoramic of Mount Gongga, the "King of the Mountains in Sichuan Province." Don't forget to record with lots of photographs. There are lots of viewpoints, official and unofficial.

Driving the curvy road to the summit of Shera Lahard

Driving the curvy road to the summit of Shera La

🇨🇳 China

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Shera La (aka Maesar La), a seriously high-altitude pass in Tibet! We're talking 5,563 meters (18,251 feet) – that's WAY up there! You'll find it straddling Comai and Lhozhag counties in the Shannan Prefecture, east of the stunning Puma Yumco lake. Forget smooth asphalt; this 82.7 km (51.38 mile) route from the G219 to Comai Town is all about the raw, unpaved experience. Expect some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients up to 9%! Winter? Forget about it; this road is usually snowed in. If you're craving a wild, off-the-grid adventure with incredible scenery, Shera La is calling your name!