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Nevada Ojos del Salado, Argentina-Chile -

The highest accessible point by car on Earth is reached by following the gravel track that serves Nevada Ojos del Salado, a dormant volcano in the Andes on the Argentina–Chile border, and the highest volcano on the planet. All-terrain vehicles can attain an impressive 6,650 m (21,820 ft) of elevation.

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Umlingla Pass, India -

According to Guinness World Records, Umlingla Pass in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir can claim the distinction of being the highest altitude paved road, at exactly 5,798.251 m (about 19,024 ft).

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Uturuncu, Bolivia -

Not much more than a loose gravel track, the old mine road serving the twin summits of Uturunca, a dormant volcano in the Sur Lípez province of Bolivia, is one of the highest roads ever built. The track ends at an altitude of 5,730 m (18,799 ft).

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Chongnyi La, India -

Perched at a height of 5,632 m (18,477 ft) above sea level, Chongnyi, or Mana Pass, is one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Also known as Dungri La, the pass, situated in Uttarakhand in the Himalayas, straddles the border between India and China and follows the path of an ancient trade route between Tibet and India.

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Tanglang La, India -

Tanglang La, a high mountain pass in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, reaches an elevation of 5,328 m (17,480 ft). The pass is paved, also making it one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

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Chivay-Arequipa road, Peru -

The spectacular Carretera Chivay-Arequipa, a 149-km (93-mi) mountain road that meanders through Peru's Arequipa region, reaches its highest point of 4,900 m (16,076 ft) at Patapampa Pass, also known as the Mirador de los Andes, or the Andes Lookout.

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Khunjerab Pass, China-Pakistan -

The border crossing at Khunjerab, a mountain pass in the Karakoram range, marks a high-altitude frontier station between Pakistan and China set at an elevation of 5,314 m (17,434 ft).

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Mount Evans Scenic Byway, USA -

Quickly gaining 2,743 m (9,000 ft) through the high plains of Denver in Colorado, Mount Evans Scenic Byway then climbs to a lofty 4,347 m (14,264 ft) to claim the distinction of the highest paved road in the United States.

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Mauna Loa Scenic Drive, USA -

The 27-km (17 mi) road that snakes through the lunar landscape leading up to the summit of Mauna Loa, one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii (Big Island), begins at Saddle Road, itself 2,001 m (6,564 ft) above sea level. The drive tops out at 3,402 m (11,161 ft). Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on the planet.

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Marsimik La, India -

Summiting at an elevation of 5,582 m (18,313 ft), Marsimik La carves its way through the Chang Chenmo mountain range in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The pass is another of the world's highest motorable roads.

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Semo La, Tibet -

Semo La was little more than an unsurfaced track traveled by a weekly bus service and convoys of local trucks before being paved in 2015. The pass, located in central Tibet, affords access to the country's Changtang region and Mount Kailash (pictured). At its highest point, Semo La levels out at 5,565 m (18,258 ft).

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Fotu La, India -

At an elevation of 4,108 m (13,478 ft), Fotu La is the highest point on the Leh- Srinagar highway, which snakes its way through India's Himalayan Zanskar range.

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Veleta, Spain -

The access road from Granada that serves the near-summit of Pico del Veleta in the Sierra Nevada runs out of asphalt at around 3,300 m (10,826 ft). This is the highest paved road in Europe. It continues unpaved until reaching 3,380 m (11,089 ft).

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Dongkha La, India -

Traveling Dongkha La affords outstanding views of the Tibetan Plateau. The pass is set high in India's remote Sikkim Himalayan region, the paved road leveling out at an elevation of 5,492 m (18,018 ft) above sea level.

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Kaksang La, India -

Situated in Jammu and Kashmir's Changthang region, Kaksang La is often cited as one of the most beautiful high altitude roads to travel on, but also one of the most challenging, as it heads up into the mountains to summit out at 4,183 m (14,485 ft).

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Suge La, Tibet -

The road to Suge La, a soaring mountain pass hemmed in by the Nyenchen Dangla mountains, is unpaved but navigable by 4X4 vehicles. At an elevation of 5,453m (17,890 ft) above sea level, Suge La allows for astonishing views of Qiongmo Kangri, a glacial peak of exceptional beauty.

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Chang La, India -

Changla La in Ladakh is the third highest motorable pass in the world, a fact denoted by a bright orange altitude marker indicating an elevation of 5,391 m (17,688 ft). The pass serves as a gateway to the famous Pangong Tso Lake.

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Taglang La, India -

Taglang La is a mountain pass that reaches 5,328 m (17,480 ft) and is popular with adventure tourists venturing into Ladakh.

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Wari La, India -

Wari La in Jammu and Kashmir provides a direct link between La Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso. Steep and only paved in parts, the road is suitable for 4X4 vehicles only, and reaches an elevation of 5,312m (17,427ft), to place it in the top five of the world's highest mountain passes.

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Tlaeng Pass, Africa -

The summit of Tlaeng Pass in Lesotho flattens out at 3,255 m (10,679 ft) to make it the highest road pass in Southern Africa, and Africa's highest drivable pass. The barren landscape characterizing the region is known as the Roof of Africa.

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Mauna Kea access road, USA -

Conquering the Mauna Kea access road means following a 22-km (14 mi) mostly paved route that meanders up Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on Hawaii's Big Island. The road tops out at 4,200 m (13,781 ft), and in fact Mauna Kea is one of the few places in the world where you can drive from sea level to 4,267 m (14,000 ft) in about two hours.

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Highwood Pass, Canada -

Picturesque Highwood Pass in Alberta climbs to 2,206 m (7,237 ft) and is the highest paved road in Canada. It lies within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, with the popular Kananaskis Trail running through the pass.

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Forest Road 123, USA -

The winding and unpaved Forest Road 123 is an extremely challenging high mountain drive located in the Tusher Mountains of Utah. Best undertaken in 4X4 vehicles, FR123 is set within Fishlake National Forest and reaches an elevation of 3,503 m (11,492 ft), making it one of the highest roads in the United States.

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Beartooth Highway, USA -

Motorists who've followed Beartooth Highway in Wyoming claim it as one of the most beautiful drives in America for its spectacular mountain scenery. The road traces a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks along the Montana-Wyoming border before traversing Beartooth Pass at 3,337 m (10,947 ft).

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Cime de la Bonette, France -

At 2,802 m (9,192 ft), Cime de la Bonette is the highest paved road in France, and the second highest paved route through the Alps. Cime de la Bonette itself is a mountain within Mercantour National Park that summits at 2,860 m (9,383 ft).

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Stelvio Pass, Italy -

Comprised of a daunting 48 hairpin bends, the Stelvio Pass in northern Italy bordering Switzerland is not only one of Europe's most iconic roads, it's also one of the highest, at 2,757 m (9,045 ft) above sea level.

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Umbrail Pass, Switzerland -

The isolated Umbrail Pass straddles the Swiss-Italian border to connect with the Stelvio Pass. At 2,501 m (8,205), this is the highest paved road in Switzerland.

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Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria -

Located in Hohe Tauern National Park, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of the most famous mountain passes in the Alps. Named for Austria's highest mountain, the scenic highway features two highlights: Fuscher Törl at 2,428 m (7,966 ft); and Hochtor Pass at 2,504 m (8,215 ft).

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Cairnwell Pass, Scotland -

You have to travel to the Scottish Highlands to motor along the highest road in the United Kingdom—Cairnwell Pass. It's reached through Glen Shee and summits out at 670 m (2,199 ft).

Sources: (Dangerous Roads) (Smithsonian Institution) (Guinness World Records) (United States Geological Survey)

See also: Majestic mountain passes you need to tread

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