{
  "name": "Spiti Valley Road",
  "slug": "spiti-valley-road",
  "url": "https://www.bestdrivingroads.com/roads/spiti-valley-road/",
  "summary": "NH505 through Spiti is one of the toughest roads left on earth, a 275 km traverse of a lunar cold-desert gorge crossing the 4,551 m Kunzum La and threading cliff edges above the turquoise Spiti River.",
  "roadNumbers": [
    "NH505"
  ],
  "location": {
    "country": "India",
    "region": "Himachal Pradesh",
    "start": {
      "name": "Khab Sangam",
      "lat": 31.799214,
      "lon": 78.643627
    },
    "end": {
      "name": "Gramphoo",
      "lat": 32.389848,
      "lon": 77.259724
    }
  },
  "measurements": {
    "lengthMiles": 172.7,
    "lengthKm": 277.9,
    "driveMinutes": 402,
    "corners": 587,
    "hairpins": 109,
    "maxGradientPercent": 8,
    "summitMetres": 4551.7,
    "elevationConfidence": "approximate (30 m DEM cannot resolve this line)",
    "difficulty": "expert",
    "tightnessOutOf10": 8
  },
  "timing": {
    "bestSeasons": [
      "summer"
    ],
    "closesInWinter": true
  },
  "conditions": {
    "hasUnpavedSection": true
  },
  "hazards": [
    "Landslides at Malling Nala",
    "River and stream crossings",
    "Mostly unpaved surface",
    "Kunzum La closed October to May",
    "No signal or services for long stretches",
    "Altitude sickness at Kunzum La (4,551 m)"
  ],
  "scenery": [
    "gorge",
    "valley",
    "mountain"
  ],
  "pointsOfInterest": [
    "Kunzum La",
    "Nako viewpoint"
  ],
  "geometry": {
    "pointCount": 1810
  },
  "attribution": {
    "source": "Routes - bestdrivingroads.com",
    "citation": "Cite with a link to the road page. Stats are measured from the mapped line, not copied from other lists; where elevationConfidence is \"approximate\" the 30 m DEM cannot resolve that line and the elevation figures are indicative.",
    "roadGeometry": "(c) OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL",
    "terms": "Facts are free to cite with attribution; bulk reproduction of the catalogue requires permission (simon@keane.studio)."
  },
  "updated": "2026-08-03"
}