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Goechala Pass, India -

Set within Kanchenjunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Goechala Pass sits at an elevation of 4,940 m (16,207 ft). Trekking the pass can be challenging, with acclimatization necessary beforehand. But hikers who make the effort are rewarded with stunning views of several Himalayan peaks including Kanchenjunga, at 8,586 m (28,169 ft) the world's third highest mountain.

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Akshayuk Pass, Canada -

Remote and dramatic, the Akshayuk Pass on Baffin Island in Nunavut comprises 100 km (62 mi) of Arctic wilderness, a route trodden for centuries by the Inuit people. The pass is found within Auyuittuq National Park, which in summer is a marshy landscape surrounded by barren plateaus. Think long and hard before attempting the trail in winter: despite its natural splendor, this is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth to take a walk.

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Glen Pass, USA -

Located southbound on the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon National Park, California, Glenn Pass is hugely popular with hikers, as it's also the second Sierra Nevada mountain pass encountered by northbound Pacific Trail through-hikers. Pictured is the scene north of Rae Lakes and the South Fork of Woods Creek.

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Tizi n'Tichka, Morocco -

Tizi n'Tichka in Morocco's High Atlas serves as a gateway to some of North Africa's most rewarding trekking. Located between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, this vertiginous pass connects hikers with trails that pass ancient Berber villages and lush, palm-lined oases.

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Thorong La, Nepal -

Hiking Thorong La is to cross the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit trek and, indeed, traverse the highest walkable mountain pass in the world, an elevation of 5,416 m (17,769 ft). At this height, altitude sickness is a very real possibility, as is frostbite. Crossing the Thorong La Pass should never be taken lightly.

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Kang La Pass, Nepal -

Wilderness trekking at its most extreme is what makes hiking the Kang La Pass so compelling. At 5,320 m (17,454 ft), the pass is among the highest on the planet. Following it provides quite literally breathtaking views of the Annapurna Himalayas.

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Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland -

Kleine Scheidegg in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland region is a mountain pass situated below and between the Eiger and Lauberhorn peaks. The Panorama Trail from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg (pictured) affords jaw-dropping Eiger views.

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Grosse Scheidegg, Switzerland -

The nearby Grosse Scheidegg offers hikers an outstanding alternative. This pass crosses the point between the Schwarzhorn and the Wetterhorn mountains and forms part of the picturesque cross-country Alpine Pass Route between Sargans and Montreux.

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Kuari Pass, India -

Kuari, which means "doorway," is an extreme Himalayan mountain pass situated in the Garhwal region of northern India. Hikers are accompanied by a seemingly endless vista of the grandest mountains in the nation, including the country's second highest, Nanda Devi.

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Cho La Pass, Nepal -

Cho La Pass is one of the most iconic passes to trek while visiting Sagarmatha National Park in the Himalayas of Nepal. The middle pass of the country's challenging Three Passes Trek, Cho La connects Everest Base Camp to Gokyo, and is definitely not for virgin boots. Pictured is the epic view across to Dzonglha and the Ama Dablam and Cholatse mountains.

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Gardena Pass, Italy -

This high mountain pass in the Dolomites set at an elevation of 2,123m (6,965 ft) features several excellent hiking trail options that take in the stunning Sella Group mountain range. Many of these trails commence at mountain inns, or rifugios. Pictured is Rifugio Frara.

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Sella Pass, Italy -

For the most impressive views of the Sella Group, hike the spectacular Sella Pass. Located in the Val Gardena between the provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol, the trail offers breathtaking panoramas of several iconic peaks.

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Vršič Pass, Slovenia -

Vršič Pass meanders its way across the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. Vršič reaches an elevation of 1,611 m (5,285 ft)—the highest mountain pass in the country—and is an excellent starting point for hiking excursions to surrounding peaks. Many of the trails are served by mountain lodges.

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Col de la Croix de Fer, France -

The Col de la Croix de Fer in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France is a relatively easy trekking option for seasoned hikers. The trail affords a magnificent panorama of Écrins National Park, one of Europe's most beautiful natural parks. The Croix de Fer mountain pass owes its name to a granite plinth surmounted by an iron crucifix that overlooks the road used by cyclists competing in the Tour de France—at 22 km (14 mi), and an average gradient of 7.0%, one of the toughest stages in the competition.

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Forester Pass, USA -

A section of the Forester Pass in California's Sierra Nevada marks the boundary between Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. The pass is the highest point along the Pacific Crest Trail, at 4,009 m (13,153 ft).

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Rupin Pass, India -

India's Rupin Pass lies on a traditional shepherd route that eventually began to be trodden by in-the-know adventure seekers. The Rupin Pass Trek is today one of the country's most anticipated hikes. The journey begins at the iconic Dhanderas Thatch or Lower Waterfall campsite, which faces a mighty snow-capped wall of granite.

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Waiau Pass, New Zealand -

Waiau Pass on South Island is an alpine crossing that tests experienced hikers trekking through Nelson Lakes National Park. The pass is the second-highest point on the Te Araroa Trail, a long distance backpacking route that stretches 3,000 km (1,900 mi) along the length of New Zealand's two main islands, from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

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Quiraing Pass, Scotland -

The Isle of Skye, the largest island of the Inner Hebrides, is where you'll find the Quiraing Pass, part of the rugged Trotternish Ridge. Hiking the Quiraing loop, a moderately challenging route, will bring you up close and personal with some of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland.

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Fimmvörðuháls, Iceland -

Fimmvörðuháls, which translates as "Five Cairns Pass," is the area between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers in southern Iceland. The 22-km (13 mi) route between Skógar and Thórsmörk goes through this pass and is one of the most popular walking routes in Iceland, snaking as it does through a glacial and volcanic landscape and passing 26 waterfalls along the way.

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Donohue Pass, USA -

The John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail both transverse Donohue Pass, itself worth hiking through for the double delight of experiencing Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Wilderness. A favorite beauty spot is Thousand Island Lake, sunk high up in the Sierra Nevada.  

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Tjäktjapasset, Sweden -

The Tjäktjapasset Pass in Sweden accommodates the 440-m (270 mi) Kungsleden Trail, which runs through the southern portion of the protected Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve. The trail is equipped en route with plank walkways covering swampy or rocky ground.

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Shrine Pass, USA -

Shrine Pass in the Sawatch mountain range of central Colorado is noted for the Shrine Ridge Trail, which is especially appealing in spring when rolling meadows are blanketed by carpets of colorful wildflowers. The short hike is easy on the feet and provides inspiring views of the Mount of the Holy Cross, for which Shrine Hill is named.

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Gap of Dunloe, Ireland -

The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass in County Kerry that separates the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range in the west from the Purple Mountain Group range in the east. Wedged in between both is the Gap of Dunloe walk. The route one way is about 11 km (7 mi): the fittest will complete a there-and-back loop in about five hours.

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Kebler Pass, USA -

Kebler Pass enclosed by Gunnison National Forest conceals numerous hiking trails. One of the most treasured is tucked away off the pass—the Three Lakes Loop, with the trailhead sitting next to Lost Lake. The region boasts Colorado's largest aspen grove, which during the fall transforms into a sea of copper gold.

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Indrahar Pass, India -

Following the easy-to -moderate Indrahar Pass in Himachal Pradesh takes you through the enchanting landscape of the Indian Himalaya region. The pass is pictured at a lower elevation near Triund, a small hill station at the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges.

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Pen-y-Pass, Wales -

One of the best-known mountain passes in Wales, Pen-y-Pass in Gwynedd is a favored location from which to ascend Snowdon, the highest mountain in the country. The most popular Snowdon routes from Pen-y-Pass are undoubtedly the Miner's Track and the PYG tracks.

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Thompson Pass, USA -

Alaska's Thompson Pass cuts a 855-m-high (2,600 ft) gap through the Chugach Mountains northeast of Valdez. A popular hiking destination, the pass can be explored via a number of different routes, the most rewarding arguably being the Thompson Pass Pack Trail. Hikers should note that the region experiences some of the heaviest winter snowfalls recorded anywhere in the United States.

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Kananaskis Pass, Canada -

The Kananaskis Pass is set at an elevation of 2,865 m (9,398 ft) deep in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. The pass is traversed by the scenic Kananaskis Trail, well trodden by hikers in summer and a popular cross-country skiing route in winter.

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Pass of Glencoe, Scotland -

Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands is synonymous with a massacre that took place on February 13, 1692 when 30 members of the McDonald clan were killed by Scottish government forces acting in collusion with the Campbells clan. Even on a clear summer's day, the pass is possessed of a haunting and poignant atmosphere. Experience the ambiance for yourself by following the West Highland Way, a section of which meanders through this historic spot.

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Timmelsjoch, Austria-Italy -

The highest mountain pass crossing the Eastern Alps rewards hikers with glorious views of the Ötztal range. The pass creates a link through these mountains along the border between Austria and Italy.

Sources: (The Times of India) (National Trust for Scotland)

See also: Discovering the Alps, Europe's greatest mountain region

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