Kolli Hills is the road with 70 hairpin turns
India, asia
46.7 km
238 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for an epic ride on the Kolli Hills Road (MDR181) in Tamil Nadu, South India! This mountain road, nestled in the Kolli Malai range, is not for the faint of heart.
Spanning about 47 km from Kalappanaickenpatti, you'll be twisting and turning through 70 hairpin bends that lead you up to Kolli Malai, also known as 'the mountains of death.' Don't let the name scare you, though – it's an exhilarating experience!
The road's pretty smooth until you hit around the 25th hairpin, then it gets a little rough with potholes and patches. Some bends are so tight, it's a one-vehicle-at-a-time kind of situation. But hey, the views are worth it! Imagine gazing out at the plains below and being surrounded by lush green tropical forests.
This ghat road, connecting the Western and Eastern Ghats, was built back in British times. While most of the road is decent, watch out for those rough patches near the hairpin bends. Those 70 bends are numbered, by the way!
You can visit year-round, except maybe in January when it gets a bit chilly up there. And while you're there, check out the Agaya Gangai waterfalls and the Shiva temple.
Starting near Karavalli at 238 meters above sea level, you'll climb 960 meters over 20.4 km, ending up in Solakkadu at 1,198 meters. That's an average gradient of 4.70%. Get ready for some steep sections!
Where is it?
Kolli Hills is the road with 70 hairpin turns is located in India (asia). Coordinates: 19.0787, 77.7443
Road Details
- Country
- India
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 46.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 238 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 19.0787, 77.7443
Related Roads in asia
extremeDriving the Mughal Road is a Dizzying Experience in the Pir Panjal Range
🇮🇳 India
Okay, buckle up for the Mughal Road in Jammu and Kashmir, northern India! This isn't just a drive; it's a historical joyride! Once upon a time, it was the Old Imperial Road, then the Namak Road (Salt Route), used by Mughal emperors on their way to conquer Kashmir back in the 16th century. Fast forward to modern times: after being closed for ages, this road got a serious glow-up in 2005, turning it into a smooth, uplifting ride. The Mughal Road clocks in at about 82.3 km (51.13 miles), winding its way from Bafliaz in the Poonch district to Shopian in the Kashmir valley. Now, don't think it's all smooth sailing. This road is a proper challenge! Think curves galore, super narrow stretches, seriously steep climbs, hairpin turns that'll make your head spin, and drop-offs that'll give you butterflies. Perched high in the Pir Panjal Range, you'll hit the peak at Pir Ki Gali Pass, a whopping 3,485 m (11,433 ft) above sea level! Heads up, it's usually closed in winter because of heavy snow. You'll be registering your vehicle and passenger details frequently, so make sure your paperwork is in order, and don't forget your ID. Take it slow to adjust to the altitude, and make sure to soak in the incredible views. The best part? You'll usually find next to no traffic, and you can even spot cool old Mughal monuments along the way. Trust me, it's an unforgettable experience!
hardIs the road to Kichik-Alay Pass unpaved?
🌍 Kyrgyzstan
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!
hardHow challenging is the road to Santyn Davaa?
🌍 Mongolia
Okay, picture this: Northern Mongolia, Khövsgöl Nuur National Park. You're staring at a high mountain pass, way up in the clouds. This is Santyn Davaa, also known as , and it's a beast. Perched at an elevation of , you're smack-dab in the middle of untamed wilderness. Think rugged taiga forests and postcard-perfect alpine meadows, all wrapped around the eastern shore of Lake Khövsgöl, that "Blue Pearl" everyone raves about. Don't forget to pay your respects at the summit's , a cool collection of stones where locals honor the mountain spirits. But, let's be real, getting there is half the adventure (and the challenge!). This ain't your average Sunday drive; we're talking about a whopping 165 km of pure, unadulterated Mongolian off-roading. The route connects near the Russian border to on the southern tip of the lake, north to south. Forget smooth asphalt, you'll be wrestling with a track notorious for massive, deep water pools and mud pits that'll happily swallow your wheels whole. These "mud lakes" are no joke, sticking around for weeks after a storm. You absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4 with serious traction if you're even thinking about tackling this pass. There are no bridges here, just you, the road, and a landscape dotted with boulders and ruts. When should you go? Spring and late summer are your best bets, offering slightly drier conditions and a fighting chance against the elements. Summer brings more crowds, but also rain that turns the track into a muddy nightmare, while winter plunges the region into bone-chilling temperatures below -40°C. Heads up: This is a seriously remote area. You need to be totally self-sufficient because you won't find any services for miles. Santyn Davaa is a proper adventure, and you'll feel every kilometer!
moderateNew Changlung La is a winding road only for experienced drivers
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for New Changlung La in Xinjiang, China! This ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking about a wild, unpaved military road soaring to a mind-blowing 18,339 feet! Seriously, you'll be breathing thin air up here. Tucked away in the northwestern corner of China, close to the Indian border, this 31-mile stretch of rugged terrain demands a 4x4 and a serious sense of adventure. Forget smooth tarmac – this is raw, untamed China at its finest. Expect stunning, stark scenery and bragging rights for days. Just remember, this is a purely military road, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready for some seriously epic views.