Kelok 9
Indonesia, asia
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Indonesia is calling, and you NEED to add these roads to your itinerary! First up, get ready for Kelok 9, a twisty-turny masterpiece near Payakumbuh in West Sumatra. "Kelok" literally means curve, and boy, does this road deliver! Prepare for some serious adrenaline as you conquer its hairpin turns. Built on the path of an old, super-narrow road, Kelok 9 cuts through lush green hills, snaking between the White Water Reservation and the Harau Canyon – both total must-sees. It stretches for about 19 kilometers, connecting the regions of West Sumatra and Riau.
Then, there's the Jalan Lintas Tengah Sumatra, another gem. This road sweeps across 39 kilometers, linking Jambi and West Sumatra. Think gorgeous hills and valleys bathed in that iconic Indonesian green. Just keep an eye out – it's had a few landslide issues in the past, so stay aware of your surroundings.
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extremeWhen was Cho La Mountain Tunnel built?
🇨🇳 China
Cruising through western Sichuan Province, China? Buckle up for the Cho La Mountain Tunnel, a mind-blowing shortcut through the Cho La Mountains! This beast of a tunnel sits at a staggering 4,378m (14,363ft) above sea level. Opened in 2017 after a 15-year build, this 7km tunnel (plus 5km of access roads) is part of the G317 highway, linking Chengdu to Nagqu in Tibet. Imagine the challenge of building something like this at such an altitude, where the air is thin and the temperatures plummet! The tunnel, also known as Que'ershan Tunnel, cuts through the mountains between 4,232m and 4,378m above sea level. The tunnel is paved, speed is limited to 40 kph, and it takes around 10 minutes to cross. Before this tunnel existed, drivers faced a harrowing journey over a treacherous mountain road, dodging landslides, avalanches, and all sorts of nasty weather on the Que'ershan Mountain Pass at 4,920m (16,141ft)! This tunnel slices two hours off the trip and bypasses the scariest parts of the old road. Trust me, you'll be grateful for this engineering marvel when you see the views!
hardX607, one of the highest roads in Tibet
🇨🇳 China
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for an epic adventure on County Road 607 (X607) in Nyima County, Tibet! This ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking a high-altitude, off-the-charts experience that will test your mettle. This unpaved beast stretches for 138 km (85 miles) entirely above 4,600 meters (15,000+ feet!). Translation? Thin air and serious bragging rights. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's your lifeline. And forget about winter – this road laughs in the face of snowplows. Starting near Jiwaxiang village and heading north to hook up with County Road 603 (X603), you'll climb to a breathtaking peak of 5,089m (16,696ft). Prepare to be stunned by the otherworldly beauty of Gemang, Zhangnai, Ma'erxia and Ngangze lakes. This isn't just a drive; it's a visual feast that will leave you speechless.
moderateDaxuenshan Pass
🇨🇳 China
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Da Xue Shan Pass in northwestern Yunnan, China! This beast sits at a whopping 4,337m (14,229ft), so be prepared for some serious altitude. You'll find this gem, also known as Da Xue Shan Pass, along Provincial Road 217 (S217), about 140km north of Shangri La on the way to Litang. Word of warning: this isn't your Sunday drive. The road's gravel, rocky, and can get pretty bumpy, so a 4x4 is HIGHLY recommended. And if you're not a fan of heights, maybe skip this one. It's a steep climb, and wet weather turns the road into a muddy challenge. But, oh, the views! You'll wind through vast pine forests surrounded by stunning rocky mountains. Just be aware that heavy mist rolls in frequently, making visibility a real issue. So, common sense prevails – avoid this pass in bad weather. Trust me, the scenery is worth waiting for a clear day!
hardArchu La, a hidden treasure road in India
🇮🇳 India
Ladakh, India, is home to the beastly Archu La, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 13,776 feet! You'll find it in the Kargil district, daring you to conquer its heights. The route? Mostly an unpaved, winding dirt track (with a few paved sections to keep you guessing!), also known as Batambis Road. The adventure begins south of Kargil on NH1, stretching 36.2 km up to Batambis village. As a bonus, you'll get to conquer Samar La, a smaller pass along the way, clocking in at 11,558 feet. Get ready for a steep climb! From NH1, it's 28.6 km of uphill driving with hairpin turns galore. The average incline is around 4.2%, but brace yourself for sections hitting a wild 10.7%. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, but keep your eyes on the road, this one demands respect!