From lush landscapes to majestic mountains, there are many picturesque roads in Pakistan that serve as scenic routes, proving that sometimes the journey is, in fact, more significant than the destination itself.
Graana.com shares a list of some of the beautiful roads in Pakistan below.
List of Most Beautiful Roads in Pakistan
There are many well-constructed roads in Pakistan that allow you to pass by its beautifully diverse landscape.
Some of these have been listed below:
- Karakoram Highway
- Jalkhad to Kaghan Valley Road
- Road to Khunjerab Pass
- Road to Neelum Valley
- Hazara Motorway
- Road to Passu Cones
- Pir Sohawa Road
- Murree Expressway
- Nathia Gali to Abbottabad Road
- Makran Coastal Highway
- Gojal Valley Road, Gilgit Baltistan
- Astore to Chillum Road
Karakoram Highway
The Karakoram Highway connects Pakistan and China and is the highest-paved international road in the world. It begins in the Punjab village of Hasan Abdal and ends at the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan at an elevation of 4,693 metres. It then merges into the China National Highway 134.
This 1,300-kilometre-long roadway, which passes through the Himalayas and the Karakoram range, provides a breathtaking view of snow-covered mountains, enchanting valleys, captivating rivers, lush green hills, and steep gorges.
However, it should be noted that extra precautions should be taken while driving on Pakistan’s longest road due to its sharp turns and curves, and the risk of landslides.
Jalkhad to Kaghan Valley Road
Jalkhad, a beautiful town near Naran Valley, is the perfect alternative for those looking to spend some time away from the noise and bustle of main Naran, which has become a famous tourist attraction in Pakistan in recent years.
The magnificent road from Jalkhad runs through the Kaghan Valley, which is 3,130 metres above sea level. It also runs across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near Dumri Maidan.
Passing by the Kunhar River, the road eventually splits into two, one leading all the way to Noori Top and the other to Lulusar Lake and Babusar Top.
Road to Khunjerab Pass
The long and winding road to Khunjerab Pass is also worth taking with its stunning views of deep gorges. Pakistan and China are linked through the Khunjerab Pass, the world’s highest border crossing. At about 15,000 feet above sea level, it is also the highest point on the Karakoram Highway.
During the monsoon and winter months, the road to this tourist attraction is restricted to conventional cars. Even in the summer, there is usually snow around the border.
Road to Neelum Valley
The road to Neelum Valley is both scenic and dangerous. This route leads to a beautiful valley north of Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir, running alongside Neelum River, close to the Indian border. It provides spectacular views of lush valleys and blue streams.
Even though it devolves into mud tracks in some sections during landslides or the winter season, this route reminds you of the majestic beauty of Kashmir.
Hazara Motorway
The 180-kilometre-long Hazara Highway, commonly known as the M-15 highway, runs from the Burhan Interchange near Hasan Abdal in Punjab to Takot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It passes by five major cities: Hassanabdal, Haripur, Havelian, Abbottabad and Mansehra. The cities of Cinchiari and Battagram come after Mansehra. On this roadway, there are 6 tunnels: 2 at Abbottabad, and 1 each at Battal, Calmon, Mansehra, and Takot.
Road to Passu Cones
Passu Cones, with their jagged rocky summits, are one of the most beautiful features on the Karakoram Highway. They can even be seen from the higher points of the Gojal region.
These conical mountain peaks, often known as the Cathedral Range, are among the most photographed features of the impressive Karakoram Range.
Only Khunjerab Pass near the Pakistan-China Border comes close to it as the most popular tourist location in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Passu Cones are located to the north of the hamlet of the same name.
Pir Sohawa Road
Pir Sohawa is a beautiful tourist location 45 minutes from Islamabad. Contrary to widespread assumptions, this place near Monal Village is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, not Punjab.
The road to Pir Sohawa traverses the Margalla Hills, offering amazing views of the capital city. Daman-e-Koh and Monal, two of Islamabad’s most prominent eateries, can be found on the Pir Sohawa Road.
Despite the steep turns, the road is well-carpeted, and a number of picnic areas and viewpoints have been set up along the path leading to the village of Sangada.
Murree Expressway
The Islamabad-Murree-Muzaffarabad Expressway, also known as the E75 Expressway or the Murree Expressway, connects Islamabad, Murree, and Muzaffarabad.
It is a controlled-access expressway in Punjab that connects Islamabad with Murree. The other part of the road between Murree and Muzaffarabad is currently being built by the government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
The expressway passes through Barakahu, Murree, Phulgran, Upper Topa, Lower Topa, Bhurban, Aliyot, and Phagwari before ending outside of Kohala. It merges into the S-2 Strategic Highway from Kohala to Muzaffarabad.
Nathia Gali to Abbottabad Road
If you are planning to go on a trip to the hilly side, take the Abbottabad-Nathia Gali-Murree route, which will provide extensive views of the beautiful natural scenery.
This 54-kilometre-long is one of the significant roads in the area as it connects Abbottabad with the Galiyat region and Murree which are one of the most popular holiday destinations in Pakistan.
Makran Coastal Highway
Makran Coastal Highway or National Highway 10 is a striking seaside route with many sharp twists that was built in 2004. It also passes through the port towns of Olmara and Pasni.
The ocean views, shaded by the majestic Aghor Mountains, make it one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world.
The 583-kilometre paved Makran Coastal Highway connects Karachi with Gwadar. It travels across Balochistan, running alongside the Arabian Sea. Additionally, it links the Iranian border with the N-25 National Highway.
Gojal Valley Road, Gilgit Baltistan
The biggest district in Gilgit-Baltistan and a popular travel destination in Pakistan, Gojal Valley is home to the renowned Passu Cones and the emerald Attabad Lake. Unquestionably one of Pakistan’s most picturesque locations, it is home to a number of small villages, wide valleys, vistas, and lakes.
The journey to and from Gojal is stunning. The Batura Glacier, one of the biggest non-polar glaciers, is also located there.
Astore to Chillum Road
The drive from Astore to Chillum Valley, the highest-elevation settlement in the Astore District, is full of lush green grazing fields and blue water streams on either side. The road can be a little rough in sections due to extreme weather conditions during the winter months.
The route to Chillam is one of the most picturesque in Pakistan, but it involves multiple steep ascents. It also leads to the breathtaking Deosai plains.
These are some of the most beautiful roads in Pakistan that are worth travelling to while going on holiday with your family or friends.
If you want to know about more places that are worth visiting in Pakistan, visit the Graana blog.
