Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh road: where it is, why it closes in winter, the Z-Morh tunnel to Sonamarg and the Zojila tunnel under construction, driving tips, and how it fits into a Kashmir or Ladakh trip.
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Quick Answer: Zojila Pass is a high mountain pass at roughly 3,500 metres on the Srinagar-Leh road, about 15 km beyond Sonamarg, linking the Kashmir Valley with Drass and Ladakh. It usually closes for several months in winter because of heavy snow. A 14 km Zojila tunnel is under construction to keep the route open all year.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Every Kashmiri driver has a Zojila story: a convoy stuck behind a stalled truck, a sudden snow squall in June, or the first look down into the Drass valley. Zojila Pass is the gateway between Kashmir's green valleys and Ladakh's high desert, and for most of the year it is the only road link between them. It is also one of the most demanding stretches of road in the Himalaya.
This guide explains when it is open, how to drive it and how the new tunnels are changing it. Our winter flights and road closures guide covers the other winter routes.
Zojila Pass at a glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Altitude | Roughly 3,500 metres (about 11,500 ft); the Zero Point sign beyond reads 11,649 ft |
| Location | About 15 km from Sonamarg and about 100 km from Srinagar |
| Links | Kashmir Valley with Drass, Kargil and Leh |
| Usually open | Late spring to late autumn, depending on snow |
| Usually closed | For several months in winter after heavy snow |
| Tunnels | Z-Morh tunnel to Sonamarg open; 14 km Zojila tunnel under construction |
When is Zojila Pass open or closed?
Zojila is normally open from late spring, once the Border Roads Organisation clears the snow, until heavy snowfall closes it in late autumn or early winter. Opening and closing dates change every year with the weather; the pass has also closed for a few days in summer after unseasonal snow. Even when open, traffic may run one way at a time, at set hours.
- Check the day's status with the J&K Traffic Police and local news before setting out.
- Ask your hotel in Sonamarg about convoy timings and one-way schedules.
- Leave early in the morning; afternoons bring traffic jams and sometimes weather.
- Carry water, snacks and warm layers in case of long halts.
What are the Z-Morh and Zojila tunnels?
- ✓Z-Morh tunnel (Sonamarg tunnel): opened in early 2025 between Gagangir and Sonamarg, bypassing an avalanche-prone stretch, so Sonamarg can now be reached in most winter weather. See our Sonamarg winter guide.
- ✓Zojila tunnel: about 14 km long, approved in 2018 and under construction under the pass. When complete it is expected to cut the crossing from over three hours to around 15 minutes and keep the route open all year. Completion is expected later this decade.
Until the Zojila tunnel opens, the old road over the pass remains the only route, and winter still cuts Ladakh off by road from Kashmir.
How should you drive Zojila Pass?
- ✓Use an experienced local driver if you have not driven high mountain roads; the road is narrow, unpaved in parts and shared with heavy trucks and army convoys.
- ✓Go slowly on loose gravel and slush, and give way to uphill traffic where possible.
- ✓Watch for falling rocks after rain and for black ice early in the season.
- ✓Acclimatise: you climb quickly from about 2,700 m at Sonamarg; keep a gentle pace if you feel short of breath.
Local tip: the Zero Point area beyond the pass is busy with tourists on day trips from Sonamarg in summer. If you are driving through to Drass, start before the day-trippers.
A line drivers in Sonamarg repeat: Zojila does not care about your plans, so leave room in yours.
Related reading: Driving in Kashmir in Snow: Roads, Chains, 4x4s and When to Stop
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Zojila or the Manali route: which way into Ladakh?
| Srinagar-Zojila-Leh | Manali-Leh | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Roughly 420 to 440 km | Roughly 470 to 490 km |
| High passes | Zojila, then gentler passes | Several very high passes |
| Acclimatisation | Gentler gain in altitude | Harder, more altitude sickness risk |
| Season | Usually opens earlier | Usually opens later |
For most travellers, the Srinagar route via Zojila is the gentler way to acclimatise. See our Leh Ladakh tour packages.
Can you visit Zojila as a day trip?
Yes, in season. Many visitors drive from Sonamarg to Zojila and the Zero Point area beyond for snow, even in summer. Local taxi unions in Sonamarg run these trips; see our Zero Point guide.
Planning Kashmir and Ladakh together? We plan the Zojila crossing and stays.
Plan Kashmir to Ladakh →Via Kashmir plans Srinagar to Leh road trips with local cabs and drivers who cross Zojila every season, plus verified hotels, houseboats on Dal and Nigeen and Kashmir packages. Tell us your dates and we will check the pass status for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zojila Pass open now?
It depends on the season and weather. Zojila is usually open from late spring to late autumn and closed for several months in winter. Check the J&K Traffic Police advisory on the day.
What is the altitude of Zojila Pass?
Roughly 3,500 metres (about 11,500 ft). The Zero Point sign beyond the pass reads 11,649 ft.
How far is Zojila from Sonamarg?
About 15 km. From Srinagar it is about 100 km.
When will the Zojila tunnel open?
The 14 km tunnel is under construction and is expected to be completed later this decade, giving all-weather access to Ladakh.
Is Zojila Pass dangerous?
It is demanding: narrow, unpaved in parts and busy with trucks. With an experienced driver, an early start and a status check, thousands cross it safely every season.
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