The geographical structure of Himachal Pradesh is very interesting. There are high mountains all around. To go from one place to another in the state through most of the routs we have to cross these mountains. At the crossing there is narrow passage in the mountains that is called pass. There are many Passes in Himachal Pradesh. Some of them have great significance in terms of travel and trade. Locally these passes are known as “Jot” and “La”.
Himachal Pradesh is paradise for the people loving adventures such as Mountaineering, Trekking, and Rock-Climbing, Skiing, Hang-Gliding, Hell-Skiing, River Rafting, Fishing Hunting, Golfing and crossing of high passes over one range to another. There is huge potential for all of these in the state. People loves the Crossing the passes in every seasons for adventurous trekking most like to cross in winters when the passes are covered with huge snow.
Some passes in Himachal Pradesh are for motor vehicle travel and maximum of them can only be crossed on foot trekking.

Some of the Famous Passes in Himachal Pradesh
Rohtang Pass:
Rohtang pass is one of the most famous and valuable Passes in Himachal Pradesh. It is main gateway to Lahaul Spiti from Kullu Valley. At aa elevation of 3980 meters from sea level it is second highest road point in the world. This pass is located in Pir-Panjaal Range of Himalaya in Leh – Manali Highway. Rohtang pass remains covered under snow for 4 to 6 months of year and then the lahaul Spiti and Leh Valleys cuts off from rest of world for this period. Now Govt has created a tunnel named Atal Tunnel to bypass the Rohtang pass so that the Lahaul Spiti and Let will remain connected throughout the year.
Kunjum pass:
Kunjum Pass connects the Lahaul Valley and Spiti Valley. At a height of 4520 meters it is situated at 65 KM from Gramphoo towards Kaza on the Gramphoo – Kaza- Sumdo Road.
Hampta Jot Pass:
Hampta Jot Pass in Himachal Pradesh is crossing trek between Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti. At an elevation of 4267 meters from sea level, is the most stunning and dramatic pass in the state. This is because of the both sides of pass are totally different to each other. One side from Kullu valley is lush green full of nature’s green beauty with forests, grasslands and flowers blooming, and other side is almost arid, stark landscape of Lahaul with barren mountains and almost no vegetation.
ShipKi La Pass:
Shipki La pass is the border post pass between India and China. It is located in Kinnaur DIstt of Himachal Pradesh and Nagari prefecture in Tibet China at an altitude of 3930 meters. Currently the road at the pass is used only for small-scale local trade across the border.[2] Like other border passes along the India-Tibet border, the border is no longer open for non-residents
Kugti Pass:
Kugti Pass is located in Pir Panjaal Mountain range of central Himalaya at a height of 5050 meters from sea level near remote village Kugti. This pass is between Bharmour in Chamba distt and Lahaul Valley.
Saach Pass:
Sach Pass is in Chamba Distt of Himachal Pradesh 127 KM from Distt headquater. It connects the Chamba Valley with Paangi valley. Saach Pass is located in Pir Panjaal range of inner Himalaya at a height of 4414 Meters from Sea level. It is the shortest route to Killar.

Bara Lacha La Pass:
Bara Lacha La is high mountain pass connecting Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. It is located in Zanskar mountain range of Himalaya at a height of 4890 meters from sea level and it connects Lahaul Distt of Himachal Pradesh with Leh distt of Ladakh.
Jalori Pass:
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 3134 meters in Distt Kullu of Himachal Pradesh. It is only gateway from inner Seraj to outer Seraj are. It falls on the Kullu Rampur Road. Beautiful views from the top, isolated road full of adventure and a beautiful lake (Siyolsar Lake near Jalori Pass) near Jalori Pass are the main attractions of this pass.
Inderhaar Pass:
Inderhaar Pass is located in Dhauladhar range of Himalaya at a height of 4342 meters from sea level. This is border pass between Kangra and Chamba distt. The trekking trail to Indrahar pass starts from Galu Devi temple above Dharamkot village near Dharamsala and passes through the camping ground of Triund, Ilaqua/Laka Got, and Lahesh Caves. On the other side of the pass, the camping sites include Chhata caves at 3242 meters and Kuarsi village in Chamba at 2,260 meters.
Talang Pass:
Telang pass is named after the name of local God Telong. It is located at height of 4640 meters from sea level in Dhauladhar range of Himalaya in Kangra distt of Himachal Pradesh. Talang Pass is one the highest and most difficult passes of Dhauladhar mountain range and is been seldom used by shepherds and trekkers due to its difficult nature.

Some Other Passes in Himachal Pradesh
S.No. | Name of Pass | Height (In Mtrs) | Short Description |
1. | Laluni Jot | 5440 m | This is trekking gateway between Lahaul Valley and Spiti Valley. |
2. | Pir Parvati | 5319 m | Between Kullu valley and Spiti valley |
3. | Duggi Jot | 5060 m | Bharmaur (Chamba) — Lahaul |
4. | Tentu Ki Jot | 5000 m | Between Kullu — Spiti |
5. | Gulari | 4960 m | In Lahaul Distt |
6. | Chhabiya | 4934 m | Between Paangidhar – Lahail — Bharmour |
7. | Manali Pass | 4880 m | Between Manali — Kangra |
8. | Animal Pass | 4880 m | Between Kangra — Bharmour |
9. | Kundi Kukari | 4540 m | Between Kullu — Kangra |
10. | She Jot | 4530 m | In Distt Kullu |
11. | Tempo La | 4890 m | Between Lahaul and Spiti |
12. | Darati Pass | 4720 m | Between Chamba and Paangi |
13. | Tamshaar Pass | 4572 m | In Dhauladhar mountain Range Between Kangra — Bara Bhangaal |
14. | Shingur Pass | 4310 m | Between Kangra and Bharmour |
15. | Bheriyang pass | 4140 m | Between Kullu and Kangra |
16. | Vaar Jot | 3870 m | Between Kangra and Chamba |
17. | Garu jot | 3730 m | In Kullu |
18. | Baaleni Jot | 3730 m | Between Kangra — Chamba |
19. | Jaalsu ki Jot | 3450 m | Between Kangra and Chamba |
20. | Khaili Galu | 3440 m | In Kullu Distt |
21. | Rasoul Jot | 3230 m | In Kullu Distt |
22. | Jalori Jot Pass | 3135 m | In Distt Kullu between inner Seraj and outer Seraj |
23. | Bhubu Pass | 2895 m | Between Joginder Nagar (Mandi) and Kullu |
24. | Dulchi Pass | 2788 m | Between Mandi and Kullu |
25. | Sodan Paas | 2400 m | Between Chamba and Bhatiyaat |
26. | Bhim Ghasutri | Between Bharmaour and Lahaul Spiti | |
27. | Chhobu Pass | Between Kangra and Chamba | |
28. | Borsa Pass | Between Kinnaur and Gharwaal Uttrakhand | |
29. | Shipting Pass | ||
30. | Rangcha Galu Pass |
There many more passes in Himachal Pradesh. Some of them are yet not officially recognized. But visitors and travelers knows them very well to cross over for adventures or for other purposes.
If in your knowledge, there is some other information regarding the passes in Himachal Pradesh then please write to us using bellow link “write with us”, and we will be happy to share/update your valuable information or opinion here in this article. Please free to write us your opinion as well.
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