Route library · Road conditions
The pass calendar
Every high pass and seasonal road on the library, and the months it is typically rideable. First-snow and clearing dates move by weeks every year — treat these as planning bands, not promises, and check the road-conditions board and a local source before you commit.
Atal Tunnel (Rohtang)
All year
The tunnel itself runs all year; the old Rohtang Pass road above it is roughly May–November. Lahaul's side roads and the passes beyond (Kunzum, Baralacha) open later and close earlier.
Routes: Lahaul & Sissu · Leh via Kinnaur & Spiti
Kunzum La
Jun–Oct
The link between Kaza and Batal/Gramphu. Rough dirt with glacial-melt water crossings that rise through the day — cross in the morning.
Routes: Spiti Valley Circuit · Leh via Kinnaur & Spiti · Spiti's High Villages · Pin Valley & Mud
Sach Pass
Jul–Sep
One of the shortest windows on the list — reliably open only mid-July to mid-September, and it shuts for days after any fresh snow. Unpaved throughout.
Routes: Pangi Valley
Chanshal Pass
Jun–Oct
Part-unpaved, snow-patched into early summer. The Dodra Kwar pass road on the far side has a similar window.
Routes: Chanshal Pass · Dodra Kwar
Jalori Pass
Apr–Dec · often longer
Usually open most of the year, but snow closes it for spells from roughly December to March. Steep, narrow, no barriers — avoid it wet or icy.
Routes: Jalori Pass & Jibhi
Padri Pass
May–Oct
Part-sealed, part rough. Weather turns fast up here; the Batote–Doda highway on the approach is separately landslide-prone in the monsoon.
Routes: Bhaderwah & Padri Pass
Baralacha La
Jun–Oct
First of the big Leh-Manali passes north of Jispa. Sarchu just beyond is a very high, cold place to sleep — push to Pang or drop back to Jispa if you can.
Routes: Leh via Kinnaur & Spiti
Nakee La & Lachulung La
Jun–Oct
The pair after the Gata Loops. Washboard, sand and long empty stretches; Pang has the last dhaba tents before the More Plains.
Routes: Leh via Kinnaur & Spiti
Tanglang La
Jun–Oct
The highest point on the Delhi–Leh spine, the last pass before the Indus valley and Leh. Do not linger at the top.
Routes: Leh via Kinnaur & Spiti
Khardung La
Jun–Sep · often longer
Paved but rough and slushy in patches, with heavy traffic. Often cleared and open beyond this window, but treat June–September as the safe planning band. Ladakh permit fees (paid online) apply for Nubra; carry the receipt and a photo ID.
Chumathang / Nyoma road to Hanle
Jun–Sep
Long stretches of new blacktop now, but rough graded sections and stream crossings remain, all at 4,000–4,500 m. Bitter wind; Ladakh permit fees (paid online) apply — carry the receipt and a photo ID.
Routes: Hanle & the Changthang
Dharchula → Gunji / Adi Kailash road
Jun–Sep
The Malpa and Budhi sections are steep and notoriously slide-prone; the top is loose rock at over 4,000 m. Inner Line Permit and a medical check needed.
Routes: Adi Kailash & Om Parvat
Dharchula → Darma valley road
Jun–Sep
Rough BRO track beyond Dar with water crossings and slide zones. The Kali-river approach itself slides in the monsoon. Inner Line Permit required.
Routes: Darma Valley
Spiti high-village roads (Komic, Hikkim, Demul)
Jun–Sep
The Langza–Komic–Hikkim loop and the Demul climb open late — often not until late June — and shut after any snow.
Routes: Spiti's High Villages
Chandratal link road (Batal side)
Jun–Oct
Rough track with water crossings off the Kunzum road. Camping is now restricted to the designated ground away from the lake.
Routes: Spiti Valley Circuit