Northern Pakistan is blessed with the world’s majestic, densest ranges of highest and most precipitous mountains in the world. The continental collision of the Indo-Australian tectonic platelet to the existence of the most spectacular diversified peaks in the whole Asian continent.
The convergence of three major mountain ranges: Himalaya, Karakoram (second highest in the world), and Hindukush has been a unique geographical landmark on earth. These are located at the confluence of the Indus and Gilgit rivers near Jaglot – a small town 40 km south of Gilgit city.
Pakistan has more than a hundred peaks that are above 7,000 meters. Out of the world’s 14 highest peaks, five are found to be in Pakistan (8,600 meters to 28,000 feet). They are a famous sight of attraction for geologists and climbers from all over the world.
This blog will discuss some of the major mountain ranges in Pakistan. This list also includes some of the peaks that are generally categorized as independent mountains. Instead, they are deemed as subpeaks of other mountains, on account of low topographic prominence.
List of Mountain Ranges in Pakistan
| Mountain Range | Elevation | Highest Peak | Location | Length |
| Himalayas | 8,848.86 m | Mount Everest, Nepal and Tibet | Pakistan, Bhutan, China, India, and Nepal | 24,000 km |
| Hindu Kush | 7,708 m | Tirich Mir | Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan | 800km |
| Karakoram | 8,610 m | Mount Godwin Austen | China and Pakistan | 1316 km |
| Nanga Parbat | 8,126 m | – | Gilgit-Baltistan | 190 km |
| Safed Koh | 4,755 m | Mount Sikaram | Afghanistan and Pakistan | – |
| Kirthar | 2,260 m | Zardak | Sindh and Balochistan | 300 km |
| Salt Range | 1,522 m | Sakesar (west) and Massif Chel (east) | Kallar Kahar | – |
| Sulaiman | 3,487 m | Takht-e-Sulaiman (throne of Sulaiman) | Afghanistan and Pakistan | – |
Himalayas – Largest Mountain Range in Pakistan
The world’s largest mountain range across the globe; the Himalayas home to Mount Everest is situated in Kashmir valley and Northern Pakistan to the south and east of Indus River, and is dominated by Nanga Parbat massif.
It runs through five international borders: Nepal, Bhutan, China, India with the Western mountains of Pakistan’s range located in the Astore District in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It is a popular lure for climbers and the most visited tourist spot in Pakistan offering a lot of thrilling excitements and adventures.
Closer to it can be found the famous, Deosai National Park. Surrounded by rolling hills, it is an alpine plateau of exceptional beauty and ecological value. Summer is the best season for overnight camping, fishing, and hiking.
Features:
Elevation: 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft)
Highest Peak: Mount Everest, Nepal and Tibet
Countries: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan
Length: 24,000 KM
Hindu Kush
The Hindu kush mountain range situated in the north-west of Pakistan rises south-west of Pamirs. The eastern part of it straddles Afghanistan and Pakistan. The range can also be seen in Ghizar, Yasin Valley, and Ishkoman in the northern areas of Pakistan.
The mountain was discovered in 1830. Climbers have been attempting to scale it since 1927. The first successful attempt was made in 1950 by a Norwegian team with a few Pakistani climbers.
The highest peak, Tirich Mir which is (7,690 meters to 25,230 feet) is in Chitral. The second highest peak, Noshaq (7492 meters to 24,580 feet) is at the Pak-Afghan border.
The first region of the mountain extends from the Wakhjir pass separating Hunza from Wakhan. The second region locates beyond Dorah pass in Afghanistan. The third region locates in Pakistan and extends from Swat to Kohistan areas. On the East, it is separated from the Karakoram by the mighty Indus River.
Nearby areas of the mountain have multiple entertaining opportunities including trekking and jeep safari.
Features:
Elevation: 7,708 m (25,289 ft)
Highest Peak: Tirich Mir
Countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan
Length: 800 KM
Karakoram
The Karakoram mountain range is the second highest in the world. A part of it extends from the Himalayan range. It nestles between the three borders: India (Ladakh), China (Xinjiang), and Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan).
It is the continental divide of southern Asia. The Karakoram has more than 60 peaks above 7000 meters. The range is bounded on the northeast by the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, and on the north by the Pamir Mountains.
A European team first attempted to climb the Karakoram in 1856. A member of this team, Thomas Montgomerie, named this peak K2 as it is in the second-order of the range.
The other four peaks are named:
- K1 (Masherbrum)
- K3 (Broad Peak)
- K4 (Gasherbrum II)
- K5 (Gasherbrum I)
The Siachen Glacier at 70 km and the Biafo Glacier at 63 km from the mountain are ranked as the world’s second and third longest glaciers outside the polar regions.
Rivers from the south flow to the Arabian Sea, while the rivers from the north flow to the Yellow Sea. It is one of the most liked mountain ranges among hikers and mountaineers due to its scenery, lakes, and surroundings.
K2 is also known as the ‘Savage Mountain’ due to its difficult ascend.
Features:
Elevation: 8,610 m (28,250 ft)
Highest Peak: Mount Godwin Austen
Countries: China and Pakistan
Length: 1316 KM
Nanga Parbat
Known as the ‘Killer Mountain’, also called ‘Diamir’, is the ninth highest in the world. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘nanga parvata’, meaning ‘naked mountain’. Diamir is a local name for the peak which means ‘king of the mountains.’
It is situated at the western side of the Himalayas, in the northern areas of Pakistan, south of the Indus River in the Astore District. The mountain’s north side drops about 23,000 feet to the Indus River.
The first attempt to ascend the glacier was by a British Alpine climber named, Albert F. Mummery in 1895 but he died in his attempt.
At least 30 more climbers (mostly German-led) have perished in their attempt because of the severe weather conditions and frequent avalanches. Finally, Austrian climber Hermann Buhl was successful to reach the top in 1953.
Features:
Elevation: 8,126 m (26,660 ft)
State: Gilgit-Baltistan
Parent Range: Himalaya
Length: 190 KM
Safed Koh Mountain Range
The white mountain range is situated at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Mount Sikaram is the highest and most famous mountain found in the region. In Pashto, it is known as ‘Spin Ghar’.
Since the mountain is close to the Khyber Pass as well as Shandur Top, it has the highest polo ground in the world, often visited by enthusiastic climbers and trekkers. Shandur Polo Festival is held every year in the Hindu Kush Mountains.
Features:
Elevation: 4,755 m (15,600 ft)
Highest Peak: Mount Sikaram
Countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Kirthar
Kirthar range situated in Sindh and Balochistan, it extends southward 300km from the Mula River (Balochistan) to Cape Monze (west of Karachi) to the Arabian Sea. The mountains are drained by the Gaj River and Hub River.
The maximum altitude of the Kirthar range called ‘Barugh Hill’, makes it Sindh’s highest peak (7056 feet above sea level). The range lies northwest of the Gorakh Hill Station, known as the ‘Murree of Sindh’. A popular destination for camping, stargazing, trekking, and bird watching at the height of 5,688 feet.
Features:
Elevation: 2,260 m (7,410 ft)
Highest Peak: Zardak
States: Sindh and Balochistan
Length: 300 KM
Salt Mountain Range
The salt range is a series of hills and low mountains, extending from the south of Potohar Plateau to the north of the Jhelum river located in the northern part of Punjab. The range is named for the extensive richest salt deposits in the field.
Its history goes back to Precambrian age and ranges up to more than 1,600 feet in thickness.
It also has great mines of Khewra, Kalabagh, and Warcha yielding vast supplies of salt. Mined from ancient times, it contains some quantity of coal, gypsum, and other minerals.
Ethnic groups of the locality are Pandzhabt, Dzhat, and Aran; who speak Indian languages (mainly Lakhrda).
The Salt Range has a high level of biodiversity, home to a number of wildlife sanctuaries and wetland areas: (ChumbiSurla, Jahlar Lake, Sodhi, Khabekki Lake, and KundalRakh). Chinji National Park, Simli Reserved Forest, and Noorpur Reserved Forest are also located there.
Features:
Elevation: 1,522 m (4,993 ft)
Highest Peak: Sakesar (west) and Massif Chel (east)
Location: Kallar Kahar
Sulaiman Mountain Range
The Sulaiman Mountains are situated in the northern region of Balochistan and the Zabul province of Afghanistan.
Present at the border of the Indian Subcontinent, Iranian Plateau and west of the Indus River. It is Pakistan’s fourth major mountain range. If you are adventurous do visit deserts in Pakistan.
The mountain is, however, quite different in character from the Northern Mountains as it is less precipitous with medium elevations.
Legendary Tales:
- In Pashtun legend, it is associated with Prophet Solomon. It is said that Prophet Solomon climbed this mountain and looked out over the land of South Asia.
- According to another legend, Noah’s Ark alighted at the Takht-e-Sulaiman.
- Another legend says that Qais Abdur Rashid, legendary ancestor of the Pashtun nation, is buried atop Takht-e-Sulaiman.
Features of Sulaiman Mountain Range:
Elevation: 3,487 m (11,440 ft)
Highest Peak: Takht-e-Sulaiman (throne of Sulaiman)
Countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Parent Range: Hindu Kush
Conclusion
The extraordinary living conditions in these regions have given rise to remarkable arts, culture, and traditions in the Pakistani lifestyle. The ecological conditions and remoteness of the mountains also support the unique biodiversity of a huge variety of plants and animal species such as snow leopards, brown bears, and mountain goats.
The remarkable geostrategic importance that these mountain regions have given to Pakistan is boundless. Pakistan’s major rivers and their tributaries originate in these mountain regions and present an enormous potential for tourism and adventurous sports.
