Salang Pass is a major mountain pass that connects mostly the Parwan and Kabul Provinces of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and this very important mountain connection further connects these provinces with the rest of the country. Being a vital, high-altitude mountain pass, the Salang Pass has always been an important point for the people who live in the area, but it became extremely important when the Soviet Union tried to conquer Afghanistan in the 1960s, as this created the main, modern, all-weather artery to the capital, Kabul.
As it stands at an elevation point of 3,878 meters (12,723 ft) above sea level, the Salang Pass is certainly one of the highest mountain passes in the world. The mountain range of the Hindu Kush stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, further accenting the importance of this mountain pass for the people in Afghanistan.
People have used the Salang Pass for centuries to get from one part of Afghanistan to another, but as technology advanced, the options were available, and the Salang Tunnel was built. This tunnel bypasses the mountains and runs underneath them, thus allowing Afghan people to drive in a dry conditions, as the Salang Pass sometimes can be closed due to the heavy snows. During the Soviet-Afghan War, the Salang Tunnel was a crucial link to the south and was prone to ambushes from the mujahedin.
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On 3 November 1982, there was a fire that was caused by a collision of a tanker, which blew up in the tunnel. As the fire engulfed the military convoy, it killed 64 Soviet soldiers and 112 Afghans; however, some avalanches can cause fatalities, and these are more common, as they can occur at any time and surprise travelers. Among the avalanches that happened at the Salang Pass and were noted in the history books were the ones in 2002, 2009, and 2010.
It was recorded in 2010 that the Salang Pass was hit by 17 avalanches, killing dozens, burying miles of highway, and trapping the vehicles in the Salang tunnel. Yet, even though it is very dangerous and requires good driving skills, the Salang Pass offers quite a gorgeous landscape for any photographer and person who likes the mountains.
In conclusion, even though traveling around Afghanistan is limited and requires permissions or other people to accompany you, if you are lucky and manage to see the Salang Pass, then you will be guaranteed amazing landscape views and a great driving adventure from the Hindu Kush mountains.
