mountain passes in jammu kashmir ladakh
1. Karakoram and Kunlun Both these mountain ranges lie to the north and
nonrth-east the state and separate it from Russian, Turkistan and Tibet. In the
north-west, Hindukush range continues towards Karakoram ranges, where K2
peak, the second highest peak of the world, is situated. Two lofty peaks of
Gasherbrum (8,570 m) and Masherbrum (7,827m) also lie there. People of
Ladakh pass through Karakoram pass (5,352 m) and Nubra pass (5,800m)
while going to Chinese Turkistan and Khattan. One can reach Tibet from Ladakh
via Kharudangala pass (5,557 m) and Changla pass (5,609m)
2. Zanskar It is about 600 metres above sea level and separates Indus valley
from the Valley of Kashmir. It prevents south-west, coastal winds from reaching
Kashmir. Ladakh region terminates at Zojila pass (3,529m) from where begins
the Valley of Kashmir. Poat pass (5, 716m) is also a famous pass in this range.
3. Nun Kun It lies between Ladakh and Kashmir border. It is 7,055.1m above
sea level. To its south-east is situated Kulu and to its north-west is situated
Kargil tehsil of Ladakh. One has to pass through Bawalocha pass (4,891m) to
reach Leh (Ladakh) from Kulu.
4. Nanga Parbat This range spreads in Gilgit. Its height is 8,107.68 m above sea
level and is utterly devoid of vegetation. It was conquered by the Italian
mountaineers in 1954. This now under the unlawful possession of Pakistan.
5. Amarnath Amarnath mountain is famous for its holy Amarnath cave, at a height
of 5,372 m above sea level. They have a pass Mahagunas pass (1,475 m) on
their way to Shri Amarnathji. Gwasharan (5,450m) is situated in the Lidar valley
towards Pahalgam; on it lies the famous glacier Kolahi. Sheshnag mountain also
spreads in this valley. It is called Sheshnag as its peaks resemble the heads of
seven big snakes.
6. Toshmaidan Toshmaidan (4,270m) adn Kajinag (3,700m) mountains lie in the
Inner Himalayas. They remain clad with snow throughout the year, but during
summer when the snow melts, the water flows down into the Jhelum river.
7. Afarwat This mountain spreads through the Gulmarg valley. The famous springs
Alpathar lies on its peak, from which, Nullah Nagal comes out and flows down
into the Wular lake.
8. Pir Panjal This range separates Kashmir valley from the uter Himalayas and
it is about 2,621 km inlength and 50 km in breadth. Famous Banihal pass
(2,832 m) lies in the shape of a tunnel on its peak, it remains covered with snow
during winter making it impassable. Now at a height of 2,200 m above sea level
a new tunnel, namely ‘Jawahar Tunnel’ has been constructed. The tunnel is
2,825 m long and it was opened for traffic on 22nd Dec. 1956. On the other
end of this range lie Baramulla pass (1,582m) and Hajipir pass (2,750m).
Hajipir joins Punch and Uri. During 1965 Indo-Pak war, the Indian Army had
occupied this pass. Later on, it was handed over to Pakistan.
9. Shiwalik These hills extend from the north of the outer plains to middle
mountains of the state reaching heights varying from 600 m to 1,500 m above
sea level.
10. Volcanic Peak One Volcanic Peak ‘Soyamji’ (1,860 m) is situated in North
Machinipura (Handwara) and the other “Kharewa peak’ lies in Tehsil Pahalgam,
which is now dead or extinct; the former, however, continued eruptionof Lava
for about thirteen months during 1934, is now in dormant satate.There is temple
on this peak and many sulphur springs are found at the foot of the hill. These
volcanic mountains are the cause of earthquates in Kashmir. So far, twelve
devastating earthquakes have occured in Kashmir. Of these, the earthquake of
1885 was the most devasting. Hundreds of houses collapsed, thousands of
people died and there were cracks in the earth as a result of this earthquake.
11. Zojila Pass (11,634 feet/3505 meters above the sea level) is the first mountain
peak which separates the Kashmir valley and Ladakh.
12. Namila Pass At a height of 12220 ft. after travelling above 90 kms from Kargil
on the Leh, Kargil road falls Namkeela pass.
13. Fata-La-Pass 16715 ft. which separates Kargil District from the Leh District.
14. Lama-Yarru (13340 ft/ 4094 mtrs.) This is the lowest place in whole of
Ladakh situated at 1219m/ 4000ft from the sea level.
15. Panzi-La-Pass (4400mts / 14441 ft.) A pass which separated Suru Valley from
T, shaped Zanskar valley is at 140 km from Kargil.
16. Kara-Koram Pass (18660 ft.) It is situated to the North eastern side of
Ladakh.
17. The Kailash or Gangri Pass (20,700ft.) It separates Ladakh from Tibet.
18. Pir Panjal (11970 ft.) This pass is a part of the Mid Himalayan range which
divides the valleys of Lahul, spiti Kishtwar and Kashmir on the North and
valley, of Kullu, Chamba and Poonch on the western bank of the Indus.
19. Thung-Lung-La Pass (17,500ft.) This falls on the Leh Manali Highway and
is significant because it is considerable to be the second highest motorable road
pass of the world.
20. Khardung-La-Pass (18,380ft/ 5578 mtrs.) It separates Nubra, Valley from the
Ladakh or Indus valley.
21. Chang-La-Pass (18,00 ft/5,475 mts.) towards the east of Ladakh.
22. Sinthen Pass to connect the valley with Kishtwar.
There are other passes such as Burzil pass, Shipki-La-Pass, Nathula pass. All
these passer lie in the Northern part of our State.