Where is Kora La?
Nepal, asia
11.7 km
4,621 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just got back from the Kora La, a seriously breathtaking mountain pass hitting a sky-high 15,160 feet! You'll find this stunner in northern Nepal, practically kissing the Chinese border.
They call it the lowest drivable route between the two countries. Buckle up for about 7.27 miles of pure, unadulterated off-road action. Seriously, this isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. Starting from the Chinese border, the road snakes south toward Lo Manthang, but heads-up: it's completely unpaved and often snowed in during the winter months.
This wild stretch is part of the Kali Gandaki Corridor KA32, and trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. The views are absolutely insane, but keep your eyes on the road – this baby demands respect!
Road Details
- Country
- Nepal
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 11.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,621 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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moderateA memorable road trip to Buzi Pass
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moderateHow to get to Milarepa’s Footprint on Mount Kailash?
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Okay, picture this: You're in Tibet, trekking toward the south face of the mighty Mount Kailash. Forget climbing the mountain itself; nobody does that. Instead, you're headed to Milarepa's Footprint, a sacred mark pressed into the rock at a staggering 17,175 feet! This isn't just any hike; it's a pilgrimage to one of Tibet's most spiritually charged spots, nestled between the Sonam Ri and Sharma Ri peaks. Legend says the great yogi Milarepa left his mark here after a face-off with a Bon master. Instead of a brawl, Milarepa meditated his way to victory – literally flying to the summit and proving that inner peace trumps all. It's all about humbling yourself and tapping into your inner strength. Getting there is an adventure in itself. The 11.5-mile dirt track kicks off from Trungto, and climbs over 2000 feet, with an average grade of 3.40%. You'll be winding through the Himalayas, in the remote Kailash Range. Keep in mind, this is Tibet, so pack accordingly! Snow is a serious issue in the winter (May to November is your best bet), and the wind can be brutal. Even in the summer, you'll swing from 20°C in the day to -10°C at night. Be ready for anything – rain, snow, you name it.
extremeWhy is it called Vardenyats Pass?
🌍 Armenia
Vardenyats Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.410m (7,906ft) above sea level, located in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia. Why is it called Vardenyats Pass? Set high in the Vardenis mountains range, the road to the summit, also known as Selim Mountain Pass or Sulemayi Lernants’k’, is called M10. The pass was formerly known as Selim Mountain Pass, but the name was recently changed. According to the governor of Vayots Dzor province, Edgar Ghazarian the name changed because ‘Selim’ name is often used in the press, electronic mass media, tourist guides and reference books when the matter concerns a mountain pass, a caravanserai, etc. After consulting with historians, it became clear that Selim is the name of a person, rather than a place. This foreign barbarian was only famous for his evil deeds and destruction he caused. Our picturesque sites and historic monuments should not be linked to his name. I want to inform everyone that changes were officially made in the place names, with Selim mountain pass renamed Vardenyats mountain pass and the Selim caravanserai renamed Orbelian’s caravanserai”. How long is Vardenyats Pass? The pass is 55.7 km (34.61 miles) long, running north-south from Martuni (a town in the Gegharkunik Province on the southern shores of Lake Sevan) to Yeghegnadzor (a town in Vayots Dzor Province, on the southern part of the country). Is Vardenyats Pass challenging? The road leading to the summit is completely paved, but it presents numerous challenges to any vehicle's suspension due to the abundance of potholes and broken surfaces. The road's perilous nature is primarily attributed to the extreme weather conditions, including blizzards, strong winds, dense fog, limited visibility, sections with black ice, and the constant risk of avalanches. Depending on the season of your visit, it's crucial to monitor local weather reports, as heavy snowfall can pose significant problems. Additionally, the occasional tumbling rocks demand constant vigilance while driving. Is Vardenyats Pass worth it? While driving through this challenging road, with hairpin turns, steep sections and countless curves, you’ll get stunning views. As you traverse the terrain, the road leads you to the highland steppe, just beyond the pass, where the beauty of Armenia's majestic mountains unfolds. Moreover, this pass serves as a gateway to Lake Sevan, offering an opportunity to experience this natural wonder. At the summit, you'll encounter a remarkable piece of history - the ancient Silk Road guest house, known as Selim Caravanserai. This establishment was constructed in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian, as revealed by inscriptions in both Armenian and Arabic. Throughout its existence, the caravanserai extended hospitality to countless travelers journeying along the highway that traversed the Selim (Sulema) mountains. Selim Caravanserai stands as a gem amongst Armenia's historical treasures, representing an example of secular Armenian architecture during the Middle Ages. What are the highest roads in Armenia? Driving the demanding road to Aragats Research Station 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.