Your 2008 Honda Civic Might Not Make This Journey
As a species, we’re lucky enough to live in the same time frame as countless mountain ranges that popped up across the globe, and if you’re the adventurous type, you’ve likely felt the desire to climb them. While many of the heights below are accessible by road today, don’t underestimate the dangers that come with reaching the highest of heights.
1. Umling La Road
Located in India at an elevation of 19,024 feet (5,799 meters), this mountain pass is the highest accessible motorable road in the world. A paved road was constructed in 2017, and it serves as a connection line between the villages of Chisumle and Demchok.
2. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway
Located in Colorado, this road reaches a height of 14,140 feet (4,310 meters) and is the highest paved road in North America. While the upper part of this byway is currently closed to motorized vehicles for construction purposes, you can usually drive to the summit between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
3. Khardung La
Located in the Leh district of the Himalayas, this mountain pass reaches a height of 17,582 ft (5,359 m). A motorable road opened for this pass in 1976, and has been open to the general public since 1988.
Vyacheslav Argenberg on Wikimedia
4. Kiu La
Located on the China-India border, this road leads through a mountain pass at an elevation of 18,736 ft (5,711 m). It links China’s Tibet Autonomous Region with India’s Jammu and Kashmir state. Inaccessible in winter, this road is heavily occupied by military vehicles.
5. Lajiong La
Located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, this drive is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Summiting at 19,127 ft (5,830 m) above sea level, this unpaved road is treacherous, requiring a 4x4 vehicle to even stand a chance.
6. Kyapsang La
Located in China’s Xinjiang region, this unpaved road, known as Tiankong Way, ascends to a summit of 19,311 ft (5,886 m). It was created in 2016 by the People's Liberation Army of China as a means to connect its border posts.
7. Veleta Peak
Located in Spain, this road reaches a summit of 11,089 ft (3,380 m). This particular peak is the second-highest of the Sierra Nevada, and is home to a ski station and the Sierra Nevada National Park. While the highest part of the road is closed to vehicles, it’s still used by employees, cyclists, hikers, and a microbus service.
8. Semo La
Located in Coqên County, Tibet, this road reaches a summit of 18,258 ft (5,565 m). It’s a provincial road, providing access between Central and Western Tibet, as well as Mount Kailash.
9. Mount Elbrus
Yes, you can drive up the highest mountain in Russia and Europe. Located in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria region, this dirt road leads you up the dormant stratovolcano to a height of 17,919 ft (5,642 m).
derivative work: CraploadMount Elbrus May 2008.jpg: JukoFF on Wikimedia
10. White Mountain Peak
Located in California, USA, this road will take you up 14,261 ft (4,347 m) above sea level. It’s considered the third-highest peak in the state, after Mount Whitney and Mount Williamson. The University of California has three high-altitude research stations in this range, and you can only visit this summit one day out of the year.
JonathanLamb (talk · contribs) on Wikimedia
11. Ojos del Salado
This Chilean-Argentine volcano has a summit of 22,608 ft (6,891 m) above sea level. However, there isn’t an actual road to drive up, so adventurers looking to tackle this mountain should take extra precautions and only use modified vehicles.
12. Ollagüe Volcano
Reaching heights of 19,251 ft (5,705 m), visitors can see the beauty of the Chile-Bolivia border. The actual road ends around 18,717 ft (5,705 m), but you can reach the summit as long as the route isn’t affected by landslides or other rock collapses.
13. Fotu La
Located in India with an elevation of 13,478 ft (4,108 m), this particular spot is the highest point on the Leh-Srinagar highway. Here, you can take in the sights of two Himalayan mountain passes, Leh and Kargil, before descending into the village of Lamayuru.
14. Mount Bross
Located in Colorado, USA, adventurers can take a gravel road up to a summit of 13,356 ft (4,071 m) to see the summit of the Rocky Mountains’ Mosquito Range. This particular mountain is located in Pike National Forest, and was unfortunately closed to the public back in 2005.
15. Uturuncu
This Bolivian mountain trek served as a mine road between the summits of the Uturunca volcano. It reaches a height of 18,799 ft (5,730 m). Uturuncu is considered a “zombie volcano”, meaning it was dormant for years before showing signs of activity. Just something to keep in mind if you’re considering a trip up the Andes.
16. Khunjerab Pass
This mountain pass serves as a border crossing for China and Pakistan. It has an elevation of 17,434 ft (5,314 m) and holds the distinction of being the highest-paved international border crossing worldwide.
17. Wenquan Daban
Located in the Xinjiang region of China in the Chang-Chemno Range, this road connects the Wenquan and Hongshantou region. It has a summit of 19,055 ft (5,808 m) above sea level, and is completely unpaved. It’s typically closed to civilians.
18. Medo La
Another road connecting India and China, this drive will have you reaching heights of 19,406 ft (5,915 m) above sea level. While it’s considered one of the world’s highest motorable roads, it requires military authorization to access.
19. Mauna Loa Scenic Drive
This drive will take you up one of Hawaii’s largest active volcanoes, reaching heights of 11,161 ft (3,402 m). Visitors must visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to gain entry, but the flowing landscape and lava flows make it all worth it.
Camilla Frederiksen on Unsplash
20. Marsimik La
This drive will take you through India’s Chang Chenmo mountain range, reaching an elevation of 18,313 ft (5,582 m). The best time to drive this pass is during the summer and early autumn months, as the journey is free from glaciers.
