Important Mountain Passes in India 2025 - Summary
Think of a mountain pass as a special path over a tall mountain range. It’s the highest point on the way, making it easier to get from one side to the other. These important mountain passes in India have been useful for many years, helping people trade goods, armies move during wars, and even people relocate. They are also known by other names like notches, gaps, saddles, cols, hauses, bwlch (Welsh), bealach, or brennig (Gaelic).
Important Mountain Passes in India – Download PDF
If you want a list of important mountain passes in India for 2025 in PDF format, you’re in the right place! You can easily download this helpful guide with the link at the end of this page. This PDF is great for students and anyone interested in learning about the main mountain passes that connect different parts of the country and beyond.
Main Mountain Passes and Their Details
Some of the most well-known mountain passes in India include Zoji La, Banihal Pass, Shipki La, Bara-Lacha Pass, Rohtang Pass, Mana Pass, Niti Pass, Nathu La, and Jalap La. Each of these has its own story and importance.
Passes in Sikkim: Connecting India and Tibet
| Name of the Pass | Description |
|---|---|
| Nathu La Pass | This pass is in Sikkim, right on the India-China border. It was reopened in 2006 and is part of the old silk route. It’s a place where India and China trade goods. |
| Jelep La Pass | This pass goes through the Chumbi valley and links Sikkim with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. |
Passes in Himachal Pradesh: Gateways to the Himalayas
| Shipki La Pass | Located near the Sutlej River gorge, this pass connects Himachal Pradesh with Tibet. It is one of the main trading points between India and China. |
| Bara-La / Bara-Lacha La | This pass is on the National Highway in Himachal Pradesh and connects the towns of Manali and Leh. |
| Rohtang Pass | Found in Himachal Pradesh, this pass is popular but can be tricky to cross, especially in winter. It connects Manali to the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. |
Mountain Passes in Leh & Ladakh: High Altitude Routes
| Mountain Passes in Leh & Ladakh | |
|---|---|
| Umling La | This is the highest motorable pass in India. It connects Leh to the beautiful Pangong Lake and was opened in 2021. |
| Khardung La | Once thought to be the highest, it is still a very high motorable pass connecting Leh and the important Siachen glaciers. It is closed during the cold winter months. |
| Thang La / Taglang La | This high mountain pass is in Ladakh and is also among the highest motorable passes in the country. |
| Aghil Pass | Located north of Mount Godwin-Austen in the Karakoram range, this pass connects Ladakh with the Xinjiang area of China. It closes from November to May due to snow. |
| Chang-La | This very high mountain pass in the Greater Himalayas links Ladakh with Tibet. |
| Lanak La | Located in the Aksai Chin part of Ladakh, this pass connects Ladakh and Lhasa. China has built a road here to link Xinjiang and Tibet. |
| Imis La | This pass has challenging and steep paths. It is closed during winter and connects Ladakh and Tibet. |
More Important Mountain Passes Across India
Here is a table with more important mountain passes in India, showing their location, height, and what they connect or separate:
| 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 |
You can find a full list of important mountain passes in India and download the PDF by using the link below for easy reference in 2025.
-
List of Important Days in India 2025 (50 Important Days of India)
-
List of Important Days with Themes 2025
-
List of International/Important Days
-
Mountain Passes in India List
-
World Maps
-
AP Police Syllabus 2025
-
Geography of India
-
RSMSSB Syllabus