Salang Pass
Mountain Pass · Salang, Parwan
The historic crossing of the Hindu Kush and the artery that stitches Afghanistan together: a Soviet-built highway that climbs through galleries and switchbacks to a 2.67-kilometre tunnel at roughly 3,400 metres, opened in 1964 to replace a 72-hour detour with a ten-hour drive between Kabul and the north. Around 10,000 vehicles cross daily beneath some of the country's most dramatic high-mountain scenery. It is driven by everyone and visited by few — the roadside teahouses, snow galleries and summit views are the destination. Reconstruction was reported completed in late 2023; the pass straddles Parwan and Baghlan, and this pin marks the southern, Kabul-side approach.
A76 Salang highway, south portal approach, Salang, Parwan, Afghanistan
The pass is open around the clock when it is open at all; closures for snow, avalanche, works and security arrive with little notice. Winter closures are routine. Ask drivers in Charikar or Khinjan for the current pattern.