Gata Loops: The 21 Hairpins of the Manali-Leh Highway and the Stories Around Them

Where and what

• The bends. There are 21 hairpin bends, usually described as numbered along the road.
• The climb. Sources put the loops between about 4,190 m at the start and about 4,630 m at the top, so the road gains roughly 400 to 450 m in a short distance.
• The location. They lie roughly 23 to 25 km past Sarchu on the way to Leh. Nakee La, at about 4,740 m, comes soon after, followed by Lachulung La at roughly 5,060 m.
• The road. The highway is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation and is usually open from late May to early October.

The story drivers tell

The best-known tale is about a trucker, or in some versions a truck cleaner, who died near the top of the loops after his vehicle broke down in a snowstorm. Drivers say a small shrine stands in his memory on one of the bends, and many stop to leave a coin or a prayer.

Some people claim the figure still helps drivers in trouble. This is a folk story, not a documented event, but it shows how seriously people take this stretch of road.

Riding the loops

• Slow in, slow out. Take each bend at low speed and keep to the inside on blind corners.
• Watch for trucks. Heavy vehicles take the full width on tight bends, and some cut across the loops. Stay alert.
• No services. There is no fuel, food or reliable mobile signal on the passes.
• Cold and thin air. The loops sit above 4,000 m. Wear layers and stop if you feel unwell.

Read our first Ladakh motorcycle ride guide, the Manali to Leh highway master guide and the bike trip packing list before you ride.

Altitude on the highway

Sarchu, the Gata Loops, Nakee La and Lachulung La come in a row at very high altitude. Many riders feel headaches or breathlessness here. Do not push through symptoms. See the AMS guide.

Choosing your route

Not sure whether to ride Manali-Leh-Manali or a loop that returns another way? Read Leh to Leh vs Manali-Leh-Manali.