Mountain Passes of India
List of the Important Mountain Passes of India: India has various types of landforms, including mountains and passes. Mountain passes have been crucial in India’s history, used for trade, travel, and defence purposes. With many defence exams approaching, candidates should focus on revising static GK, particularly important mountain passes in India. These passes have been vital routes for centuries and understanding them is essential for the general knowledge section of the exams.
List of the Important Mountain Passes of India
Mountain Passes in India have played an important role in shaping the country’s history and culture. They have been the main routes for trade, pilgrimage, and military expeditions for centuries. Today, they remain important landmarks that attract tourists and adventure enthusiasts from all over the world. If you plan to visit India, make sure to add these mountain passes to your itinerary. Check some of the important mountain passes of India.
• Zoji La (Pass): It is in the Zaskar range of Jammu & Kashmir. The road route from Srinagar to Leh goes through this pass. It has been created by the Indus River. It is situated at an altitude of 3,528 meters above sea level and remains closed for six months due to heavy snowfall. The pass has been of strategic importance during various military conflicts between India and Pakistan.
• Banihal Pass: It is in Jammu & Kashmir. The National Highway NO.1 A that links Srinagar to Jammu goes through it. It has been created by the Indus River.
• Shipki La (Pass): Located in the Himachal Pradesh region of the Himalayas, Shipki La Pass connects India with Tibet. It is situated at an altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level and is an important trade route between the two countries.
• Bara-Lacha Pass: It is also in Himachal Pradesh. It links Mandi and Leh by road. Located in the Zanskar Range of the Himalayas, Baralacha La Pass connects Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh. It is situated at an altitude of 4,890 meters above sea level and remains closed for six months due to heavy snowfall.
• Rohtang Pass: It is also in Himachal Pradesh. It cuts through the Pir Panjal range. Rohtang Pass connects Manali to the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at an altitude of 3,978 meters above sea level and remains closed for six months due to heavy snowfall.
• Mana Pass: Mana Pass is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It connects India with Tibet and is situated at an altitude of 5,545 meters above sea level. The land route to the Kailash and the Manasarovar passes through it. It is one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world.
• Niti Pass: Niti Pass is located in the Uttarakhand region of the Himalayas. The road to the Kailash and the Manasarovar passes through it. It connects India with Tibet and is situated at an altitude of 5,816 meters above sea level. The pass remains closed for six months due to heavy snowfall.
• Nathu La (Pass): It is in Sikkim. It gives way to Tibet from Darjeeling and Chumbi valley. Located in the Himalayas at an altitude of 4,310 meters above sea level, Nathu La Pass connects India with Tibet. It was an important trade route between India and China until the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The pass was reopened in 2006 for bilateral trade between the two countries.
• Jalep La (Pass): It is also in Sikkim and gives way to Bhutan. The Tista River has created this pass.
| Name | State | Height (ft) | Between/ Separating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asirgarh | Madhya Pradesh | ||
| Auden’s Col | Uttarakhand | 17,552 | |
| Banihal Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu, Kashmir) | 9,291 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Bara-lacha-la | Himachal Pradesh | 16,400 | |
| Bomdila | Arunachal Pradesh | ||
| Changla Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,585 | Leh & Changthang |
| Chanshal Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 14,830 | |
| Dehra Compass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Debsa Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 17,520 | |
| Diphu Pass | Arunachal Pradesh | 4,587 | |
| Dongkhala | Sikkim | 12,000 | |
| Dhumdhar Kandi Pass | Uttarakhand | ||
| Fotu La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 13,451 | |
| Goecha La | Sikkim | 16,207 | |
| Haldighati Pass | Rajasthan | ||
| Indrahar Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 14,473 | |
| Jelep La | Sikkim | 14,300 | |
| Khardung La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,582 | Leh & Nubra |
| Kongka Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 16,965 | Ladakh & Aksai Chin |
| Lanak Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,933 | Ladakh & Tibet |
| Kunzum Pass | Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul and Spiti) | 14,931 | Lahaul & Spiti |
| Karakoram Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | Ladakh & Xinjiang | |
| Lipulekh Pass | Uttarakhand | 17,500 | |
| Lungalacha La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 16,600 | |
| Lamkhaga Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 17,336 | |
| Marsimik La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 18,314 | |
| Mayali Pass | Uttarakhand | 16,371 | |
| Nama Pass | Uttarakhand | 18,399 | |
| Namika La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 12,139 | |
| Nathu La | Sikkim | 14,140 | Sikkim & Tibet |
| Palakkad Gap | Kerala | 750 | Kerala & Tamil Nadu |
| Thamarassery Pass | Wayanad Kerala | 1,700 | Malabar & Mysore |
| Shenkottai pass | Kollam Kerala | 690 | Travancore & Tamil Nadu |
| Pensi La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Rezang La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Rohtang Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 13,051 | Manali & Lahaul |
| Sasser la | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,753 | Nubra & Siachen Glacier |
| Sela Pass | Arunachal Pradesh | 14,000 | |
| Shipki La | Himachal Pradesh | ||
| Sia La | Jammu and Kashmir (Siachen Glacier) | 18,337 | |
| Shingo La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Spangur Gap | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Gyong La | Jammu and Kashmir (Siachen Glacier) | 18,655 | |
| Bilafond La | Jammu and Kashmir (Siachen Glacier) | 17,881 | |
| Sin La | Uttarakhand | ||
| Tanglang La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,583 | |
| Traill’s Pass | Uttarakhand | 17,100 | |
| Zojila Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir, Ladakh) | 12,400 | Kashmir & Ladakh |
Download the List of Important Mountain Passes in India
Some Facts About Mountain Passes
The Dungri La pass, also known as Mana Pass, is a mountain pass situated at an elevation of 18,399 feet, making it the highest motorable road.
- The Jawahar Tunnel was built under the Banihal Pass.
- Shipki La is a Himalayan pass that serves as a connection point between India and China.
- Zoji La pass links the Ladakh region with the Kashmir valley.
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