Gyamtsa La Pass from Leh

Gyamtsa La is a mountain pass located just 10 km from Leh market. Begin your run toward Gyamtse village and follow the GPX track further, passing over meadows and between stone-walled homesteads until you reach the trailhead. Enter the valley on a runnable singletrack trail.

When I visited, fresh donkey droppings marked the route. Further along, you'll encounter a boulder section, make your way over these while heading uphill. There is a visible trail to the top, though I found it difficult to follow at times. However, as long as you stay close to the GPX track and keep heading uphill, you should be able to find your way to the pass.

Optionally, you can continue over the pass toward Murabak village or return to Leh. The trail offers many runnable sections and feels remote and scenic, yet it remains surprisingly close to the city. The maximum altitude at the pass is around 4,800 meters!