Pakistan

Pakistan rewards riders who chase thin air and long, uncompromising gradients. Four catalogued climbs stake out this high-altitude country, with the summits reaching an astonishing 4,163 metres. The crown jewel is Babusar Pass, the sole hors categorie ascent here and the kind of relentless, oxygen-starved effort that defines a serious mountain challenge. It is a destination for cyclists who measure a ride not in kilometres but in vertical ambition.

Beyond that headline effort, the roster carries genuine variety. Shandur Pass climbs toward some of the loftiest tarmac you can turn a pedal on, while the storied Khyber Pass offers a ride steeped in the weight of the terrain it crosses. Broghol rounds out the collection with another remote, hard-won ascent. Together these four climbs make Pakistan a compact but formidable proving ground for anyone drawn to raw altitude and quiet, demanding roads.