BalakottoBabusarTop.
Everystop,listed.
Hotels, dhabas, jeep drivers, trekking guides, ATMs, police and health centres, plus today's road and weather, for the whole valley in one place.
- Balakot → KiwaiLIVERiverside stretch along the KunharOPEN
- Kiwai → Kaghan → NaranLIVEMain N-15 sectionOPEN
- Naran → BatakundiLIVERoadside waterfalls cross the road in places. Drive slowlyOPEN
- Batakundi → Babusar TopLIVESnow today (3 cm). Drive carefullyCAUTION
- Babusar Top → ChilasLIVESnow today (3 cm). Drive carefullyCAUTION
Balakot to Babusar, stop by stop.
Pick a stop to see every place worth visiting there. New marks recently added spots; dashed circles are side trips off the N-15.
Naran
نارانThe heart of the valley: bazaar, rafting, the legend caves and the jeep up to Saif-ul-Malook.
- Naran Bazaar & Kunhar River
- Naran River Rafting PointNEW2 km from Naran.
- Cave Naran PrincessNEWSmall cave in town, opposite the Saif-ul-Malook road near Markhoor Hotel. About 12 ft deep, tied to the fairy-and-giant legend.
- Rose ParkNEWA park in Naran.
- Saif-ul-Malook Lake & National ParkBy jeep from Naran.
- Saif-ul-Malook CaveThe original legend cave, beside the lake.
- Kach GaliNEWJust beyond Saif-ul-Malook, recommended by a visitor.
- Ansoo LakeTrek from Saif-ul-Malook, about 10 hours return. Don’t start after 9 am. Two streams to cross, so a horse is better.
- Malika Parbat
- Lalazar to Saif-ul-Malook trek
- Fairy Land & Baby Saral LakeNear Naran. Ask locally for the way.
From 980 m to 4,173 m in one road.
The N-15 in 3D, from Balakot to Babusar Top
Places to visit, by stop
- Balakot8
- Ghanool1
- Kiwai2
- Shogran8
- Paras & Sharan5
- Malakandi1
- Shinu & Jared2
- Mahandri & Manoor6
- Khanian2
- Kaghan4
- Naran Picnic Point1
- Naran11
- Batakundi4
- Burawai1
- Jalkhad3
- Besal5
- Lulusar3
- Gittidas2
- Babusar Top4
Everything in the valley.
Stay
AEat & shop
BPeople
DServices
F- Clinic / Health centreHospitals, BHUs, clinics and pharmacies.2
- Police station / Check postPolice stations, tourist police and check posts.2
- Bank / ATMBank branches and ATMs.0
- Fuel / MechanicPetrol pumps, tyre shops, mechanics and towing.0
- Government officeTourism offices, post offices, rest houses and permit desks.3
The reasons people make the drive.
Lake · below Malika ParbatSaif-ul-MalookThe legendary lake, its legend cave, Kach Gali and the start of the Ansoo trek.
Lake · source of the KunharLulusarNo boating, so it stays quiet.
4,173 m · zipline & viewsBabusar TopSambaksar Lake is visible from the top.
Meadow · jeep from BatakundiLalazarOld Dak Bungalow and a small forest.
Junction · Noori Top & Pyala LakeJalkhadTiger Peak views where the Sharda road joins.
Trek · ≈ 10 hrs returnAnsoo LakeStart before 9 am. A horse helps at the stream crossings.
Trek · from BesalDudipatsarOvernight at Mullah ki Basti, then 2 hours to the lake.
Meadows · jeep from ShogranSiri & PayeArrive at Paye before 2 pm. Makra Peak trek starts here.Ride the Kunhar from source to gate.
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Drone shots, river runs and the drive to Babusar, in a few minutes.
Where the road ends.
Times come from visitor reports. Check conditions locally before you set off.
| ROUTE | MODE | STARTS FROM | STOP | TIME / NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiwai → Shogran | Jeep | Kiwai village | Kiwai | ≈ 8 km · steep |
| Shogran → Paye Meadows | Jeep | Shogran | Shogran | ≈ 45 min |
| Paye → Makra Peak | Hike | Paye Meadows | Shogran | ≈ 3.5 hrs · 10 km |
| Paras → Sharan Forest | Jeep | Paras | Paras & Sharan | ≈ 45 min |
| Sharan → Manshi Top | Hike | Sharan | Paras & Sharan | 3 to 4 hrs |
| Sharan → Musa ka Musalla | Trek | Sharan | Paras & Sharan | 2 to 3 days |
| Khanian → Danna Meadows | Hike | Khanian | Khanian | 2 to 6 hrs |
| Kaghan → Maidan Meadows | Jeep | Kaghan Bazaar | Kaghan | Risky track |
Good to know before you need it.
Valley jobs
View all →No jobs posted yet. Hotels, restaurants and tour companies can post seasonal jobs here for free.
Kaghan Valley: questions people ask
Where is Kaghan Valley?
Kaghan Valley is in Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Pakistan. The N-15 road climbs the valley along the Kunhar River for about 147 km, from Balakot (980 m) through Kaghan and Naran to the Babusar Pass (4,173 m), which leads on to Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan.
How far is Naran from Balakot?
Naran is about 80 km from Balakot on the N-15, and Kaghan town is about 58 km from Balakot. Plan on 2 to 3 hours for Balakot to Naran, longer in peak season traffic or after rain.
How far is Babusar Top from Naran?
Babusar Top is about 67 km beyond Naran, past Batakundi, Besal and Lulusar Lake. The road climbs from about 2,400 m at Naran to 4,173 m at the pass.
When is the Babusar Pass open?
Babusar Pass is a seasonal road. It usually opens in June once snow is cleared and closes again with the first heavy snow, often in October or November. The road status page on this site is checked every hour, so look there before you drive beyond Batakundi.
What is the best time to visit Kaghan and Naran?
June to September is the main season, when the N-15 is usually open all the way to Babusar Top and the jeep tracks to Saif-ul-Malook and Lalazar are running. Balakot and Kaghan can be visited most of the year, but heavy snow often closes the road above Kaghan in winter.
How high is Naran and Lake Saif-ul-Malook?
Naran town is at about 2,400 m. Lake Saif-ul-Malook is higher, at about 3,224 m, and is reached by a jeep track from Naran. Lulusar Lake, beside the N-15 further up, is at about 3,410 m.
What are the emergency numbers in Kaghan Valley?
Call 911, the Pakhtunkhwa Emergency Helpline, which connects police, Rescue 1122, tourist assistance and disaster response. You can also call Rescue 1122 for an ambulance, 15 for police, 1422 for the KP tourist helpline, and 1700 for the PDMA disaster helpline.
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