From Asia to America: A Tour of the High Roads

Climbing and climbing. We are going to travel some of the highest roads on the planet, which will take us to discover inhospitable places. And there are some roads that offer travellers spectacular landscapes, where they can enjoy the journey, the stops and the resting places. Roads on which we will be short of oxygen and which bring us a little closer to the sky.

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Semo La (Tibet)

At the top of this list is the Semo La road in Tibet.

This road, which reaches at an altitude of 5,566 metresconnects Coqên with the Changtang region. A challenge for some cyclists who dare to ride it.

Despite all this, the road's 150 kilometres of dangerous route include a pavement in passable condition. Extreme weather is the biggest risk, which can be accompanied by snow avalanches, strong winds and mud, depending on the time of year.

2- Lhasa to Kathmandu (Tibet)

The journey continues through Tibet, through the "roof of the world", but now by the so-called "friendship road o "Friendship Highway"in English, which also exceeds 5,000 metres height.

This way connects to the capitals of Tibet (Lhasa) and Nepal (Kathmandu).900 kilometres apart. Actually this route is formed by two roads, the 318 in the region of Tibet and the Arniko Rajmarg in Nepal. In addition this road has as one of its ends the region of Everest, the highest mountain on earth.

3- Abra del Acay (Argentina)

From the "roof of the world" we move to the American South, to the northwest Argentinawhere you can find la ruta nacional 40 located specifically in Abra del Acay. This connects the Calchaquíes Valleys and the PunaThis route is done with the Nevado de Acay to the north.

As with other routes, its true height is a matter of debate. Officially the highest point is 4,895 metres above sea level.

4- Abra Tres Cruces (Bolivia)

This road is located on the Bolivia's Tres Cruces mountain range and the summit reaches a height of 4,729 metres.

It links the communities of Konani and Quime, both located in the Bolivian capital La Paz. The ascent of the road is paved and has no major hazards. However, the descent has dirt and gravel sections on the way down. there are often landslides.

5- San Francisco Pass (Argentina-Chile)

Argentina and Chile are linked thanks to the San Francisco Pass, from the Argentinean province of Catamarca to the region of Atacama in Chile.

This route has its highest point at 4,726 metres. It is not considered a dangerous route, although in winter there is often heavy snowfall.

6- Shipki La (Tibet-India)

At an altitude of 4,720 metres, the Shipki La lies between Tibet and the state of Himachal Pradesh (India).

The maximum altitude of this route is on the Indian side. and is currently used for local trade.

Shipki La is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world due to its roads surrounded by high walls, adverse weather conditions, avalanches, snowfall and landslides.

7 - Khunjeralo Pass (China-Pakistan)

The border crossing between China and Pakistan is made possible by land through the Khunjeralo Pass at an altitude of 4,693 metres.

The asphalt of this route is covered with snow during the winter.It is usually closed from November to May to avoid accidents. The route runs from northern Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan) to south-western Sinkiang Uighur Autonomous Region (China).

8- Collado del Cóndor (Venezuela)

In the Mucuchíes páramo, in the state of Mérida (Venezuela), is the Collado del Cóndor or Pico El Águila. A place that receives hundreds of tourists every year.

It is between the El Balcón hill and the El Gavilán peak. Due to the snow that can be found at different times of the year, its highest point is usually reached on foot leaving vehicles parked further down the road.

Along the way there are several lagoons, including the Mucubají, another of the most popular tourist spots in this state and in the country.

9- Veleta Peak (Spain)

The road to Pico Veleta, in Granada, is the highest in Spain and EuropeThe asphalt ends 100 metres below, although with a mountain bike it is possible to follow the track to the top. The asphalt ends 100 metres further down, although with a mountain bike it is possible to continue on a track up to the top.

The ascent is evident from the moment you leave the city of Granada. There are two ways to get to the ski resort area, via the A-395, a wide, well-surfaced road, or via the A-7103, which is narrower but in good condition.

The area is very popular in winter, when the ski slopes are open and the road to the Veleta is closed to traffic due to snow. When the snow is gone, it is the turn of mountaineers and cyclists. The more daring can opt for the climb that combines the Haza Llanas pass, which according to some specialised cycling websites is the hardest road in Spain, even ahead of the Angliru.

Karakorum Khunjerab Pass road / Photo: Suleman.Akbar.ali, (CC BY-SA) Wikimedia Commons