Do you dare drive this list of the highest roads in the world?

[jw5]

Nature presents us with some formidable obstacles, not least the incredible mountain ranges found scattered across the world. These precipitous and often remote regions are some of the most inaccessible on the planet. But even here you can find roads that climb the steepest of slopes to conquer the tallest of peaks. Indeed, these high altitude mountain passes represent some of the greatest engineering achievements of the modern age—and a motoring challenge that tests even the most daring and experienced of drivers. So, what are the highest points on Earth accessible by car?

 

[jw5]

Nevada Ojos del Salado, Argentina-Chile -

The highest accessible point by car on Earth is reached by following the gravel track that serves Nevada Ojos del Salado, a dormant volcano in the Andes on the Argentina–Chile border, and the highest volcano on the planet. All-terrain vehicles can attain an impressive 6,650 m (21,820 ft) of elevation.

 

[jw5]

Umlingla Pass, India -

According to Guinness World Records, Umlingla Pass in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir can claim the distinction of being the highest altitude paved road, at exactly 5,798.251 m (about 19,024 ft).

 

[jw5]

Uturuncu, Bolivia -

Not much more than a loose gravel track, the old mine road serving the twin summits of Uturunca, a dormant volcano in the Sur Lípez province of Bolivia, is one of the highest roads ever built. The track ends at an altitude of 5,730 m (18,799 ft).

 

[jw5]

Chongnyi La, India -

Perched at a height of 5,632 m (18,477 ft) above sea level, Chongnyi, or Mana Pass, is one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Also known as Dungri La, the pass, situated in Uttarakhand in the Himalayas, straddles the border between India and China and follows the path of an ancient trade route between Tibet and India.

 

[jw5]

Tanglang La, India -

Tanglang La, a high mountain pass in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, reaches an elevation of 5,328 m (17,480 ft). The pass is paved, also making it one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

 

[jw5]

Chivay-Arequipa road, Peru -

The spectacular Carretera Chivay-Arequipa, a 149-km (93-mi) mountain road that meanders through Peru's Arequipa region, reaches its highest point of 4,900 m (16,076 ft) at Patapampa Pass, also known as the Mirador de los Andes, or the Andes Lookout.

 

[jw5]

Khunjerab Pass, China-Pakistan -

The border crossing at Khunjerab, a mountain pass in the Karakoram range, marks a high-altitude frontier station between Pakistan and China set at an elevation of 5,314 m (17,434 ft).

 

[jw5]

Mount Evans Scenic Byway, USA -

Quickly gaining 2,743 m (9,000 ft) through the high plains of Denver in Colorado, Mount Evans Scenic Byway then climbs to a lofty 4,347 m (14,264 ft) to claim the distinction of the highest paved road in the United States.

 

[jw5]

Mauna Loa Scenic Drive, USA -

The 27-km (17 mi) road that snakes through the lunar landscape leading up to the summit of Mauna Loa, one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii (Big Island), begins at Saddle Road, itself 2,001 m (6,564 ft) above sea level. The drive tops out at 3,402 m (11,161 ft). Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on the planet.

 

[Charlie99]

Not "Do you dare drive ......"
But, Do you dare to drive......

 

[jw5]

Marsimik La, India -

Summiting at an elevation of 5,582 m (18,313 ft), Marsimik La carves its way through the Chang Chenmo mountain range in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The pass is another of the world's highest motorable roads.

 

[jw5]

Semo La, Tibet -

Semo La was little more than an unsurfaced track traveled by a weekly bus service and convoys of local trucks before being paved in 2015. The pass, located in central Tibet, affords access to the country's Changtang region and Mount Kailash (pictured). At its highest point, Semo La levels out at 5,565 m (18,258 ft).

 

[jw5]

Fotu La, India -

At an elevation of 4,108 m (13,478 ft), Fotu La is the highest point on the Leh- Srinagar highway, which snakes its way through India's Himalayan Zanskar range.

 

[jw5]

Veleta, Spain -

The access road from Granada that serves the near-summit of Pico del Veleta in the Sierra Nevada runs out of asphalt at around 3,300 m (10,826 ft). This is the highest paved road in Europe. It continues unpaved until reaching 3,380 m (11,089 ft).

 

[jw5]

Dongkha La, India -

Traveling Dongkha La affords outstanding views of the Tibetan Plateau. The pass is set high in India's remote Sikkim Himalayan region, the paved road leveling out at an elevation of 5,492 m (18,018 ft) above sea level.

 

[jw5]

Kaksang La, India -

Situated in Jammu and Kashmir's Changthang region, Kaksang La is often cited as one of the most beautiful high altitude roads to travel on, but also one of the most challenging, as it heads up into the mountains to summit out at 4,183 m (14,485 ft).

 

[ginfreely]

View attachment 165171

Mount Evans Scenic Byway, USA -

Quickly gaining 2,743 m (9,000 ft) through the high plains of Denver in Colorado, Mount Evans Scenic Byway then climbs to a lofty 4,347 m (14,264 ft) to claim the distinction of the highest paved road in the United States.

Looks familiar. Can’t remember what’s the mountain name but my ex classmate was very kind to show me the mountain near Denver when I was there for a business trip. Still can remember USA mountain very impressive got road can drive up all the way up with some scary turning along the way. Good thread! Bring back my good memories.

 

[jw5]

Suge La, Tibet -

The road to Suge La, a soaring mountain pass hemmed in by the Nyenchen Dangla mountains, is unpaved but navigable by 4X4 vehicles. At an elevation of 5,453m (17,890 ft) above sea level, Suge La allows for astonishing views of Qiongmo Kangri, a glacial peak of exceptional beauty.

 

[jw5]

Chang La, India -

Changla La in Ladakh is the third highest motorable pass in the world, a fact denoted by a bright orange altitude marker indicating an elevation of 5,391 m (17,688 ft). The pass serves as a gateway to the famous Pangong Tso Lake.