SrinagarLeh

The Srinagar–Leh Highway, also designated National Highway 1D, is a high-altitude road that links Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, with Leh, the capital of the Ladakh region. It is a critical corridor for civilian travel, commerce, and military logistics, connecting the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh and enabling access to northern India. The route spans roughly 434 kilometers (270 miles) across varied terrain in a region characterized by deserts, river valleys, and snowbound mountains.

From Srinagar, the highway climbs into the mountainous terrain of the Zojila Pass, entering the Ladakh region and continuing through Drass and the Indus valley on its way to Leh. The road traverses some of the highest inhabited regions in the world, with elevations commonly exceeding 3,000 meters (about 9,800 feet). The landscape includes stark plateaus, glaciers, and scattered settlements, with weather and road conditions closely tied to season.

The highway serves as Ladakh's primary link to the rest of India during the milder months and supports tourism, trade, and government operations. It is subject to seasonal closures due to snow and landslides, typically remaining open from late spring through early autumn, with gaps during the winter. Travelers are advised to plan for acclimatization to altitude and to check current road status before journeys.

Maintenance and upgrades, including improvements to widening and surface quality, have been pursued to enhance safety and reliability, though weather remains a dominant factor in service continuity.