Kaghan Valley is an alpine valley located in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The valley covers a distance of 155 kilometers (96 mi) across northern Pakistan, rising from its lowest elevation of 650 m (2,134 ft) to its highest point in the Babusar Pass at around 4,170 m (13,690 ft). Kaghan is a popular tourist attraction in Pakistan due to its pleasant weather and natural charm.
Geography of Kaghan Valley
The Kaghan Valley is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to the north and east.
The 155 kilometer long valley is surrounded by the Lower Himalayas, resulting in an alpine climate and a predominance of pine forests and alpine meadows. Glaciers, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls and freezing mountain torrents appear in the valley along the course of the Kunhar River. Kaghan is known for its scenic beauty and landscape, resulting in its popularity as a summer resort among locals and tourists alike.
Many foreigners and Pakistanis spend their summer holidays in the Valley. Kaghan is beautiful and full of breathtaking views. People are very calm-natured.
Access to Kaghan Valley
Kaghan valley can be reached by road via Balakot via Mansehra and Abbottabad. In Balakot, public buses and other vehicular transport can be used to reach the valley. In addition, you can also reach the Valley from Peshawar or the national capital Islamabad by renting a car to Abbottabad or Mansehra; tourists can then order a taxi or other available means of public transport to the valley.
The valley is always accessible in summer and closed to visitors in winter. This is because glaciers block the roads leading to Kaghan during winter, although these glaciers usually melt between February and April. From May to the end of September, the roads and the Babusar Pass remain open. In May, temperatures can reach as high as 11 °C (52 °F) and drop as low as 3 °C (37 °F).
Location of Kaghan Valley
Kaghan is one of the most beautiful valleys of Pakistan, it is located in Mansehra District of KPK, Pakistan.
When you visit Naran Kaghan in summer, you tried to get warm clothes, extra jeans and shocks. Because the weather on Naran is sometimes unpredictable. In winter, you really need coats, a long warm brace, strong mufflers and hats to cover your ears.
Why is Kaghan Valley famous?
Glaciers, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls and freezing mountain torrents appear in the valley along the course of the Kunhar River. Kaghan is known for its scenic beauty and landscape, resulting in its popularity as a summer resort among locals and tourists alike.
Kaghan is a beautiful hill station with wonderful hiking trails and lush green scenery. There are many hiking trails in the valley. Naran, Shogran and Sharan are fantastic hill stations for leisure lovers to go for short hikes, walks or nature walks.
Tourist Attractions in Kaghan Valley
- Kiwai
- Shogran
- Musa ka Musalla
- Makra Peak
- Malika Parbat
- Siri Paye
- Mana Meadows
- Sharan Forest Valley
- Shinkiari
- Jared
- Sambaksar Lake
- Surkhail Lake
- Rajwal
- Gittidas Meadows
- Siran Valley
- Mahandri
- Manoor Valley
- Kuch Gali Trek
- Khanian
- Dana Meadows
- Malkandi forest
- Naran
- Lake Saif-ul-Muluk
- Lake Aansoo
- Batakundi
- Lalazar
- Burawai
- Jalkhad
- Lake Pyala
- Noori Top/ Noori Lake
- Besal
- Lake Lulusar
- Dudipatsar Lake
- Babusar Pass
Kaghan Valley Distance from Other Cities
Kaghan to Naran Valley ——— 23 kms & 30 min
From Kaghan to Islamabad ———- 260 kms & 5 hrs
From Kaghan to Murree ———– 104 kms & 3 hours
From Kaghan Valley to Abbottabad ———- 121 kms & 4 hrs
From Kaghan Valley to Taxila ————- 203 kms & 5 hrs
Kaghan to Chitral ———– 532 kms & 12 hrs
From Kaghan Valley to Hunza Valley ———— 340 kms & 8 hrs