Kaghan Valley (Urdu: وادی کاغان ) is an alpine valley in Mansehra District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan,[1][2][3] attracting tourists from throughout Pakistan.[4] The valley extends 155 kilometres (96 mi)[5] across northern Pakistan, rising from an elevation of 2,134 feet (650 m) to its highest point, the Babusar Pass, at 13,690 feet (4,170 m).[6] Landslides triggered by the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake destroyed many passes leading into the valley, though roads have since been largely rebuilt.[7][8
Kaghan Valley is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the north of Pakistan, bordering the territories of Gilgit-Baltistan to the north and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to the southeast. The 155-kilometer valley is enveloped by the Lower Himalaya range, resulting in an alpine climate and the prevalence of pine forests and alpine meadows.[9] Alongside the flow of the Kunhar River, the valley features glaciers, crystal-like clear lakes, waterfalls and frosty mountains streams. Kaghan is famous for its scenic beauty and landscapes, resulting in its popularity as a summer resort.[10][11
The Kaghan Valley can be reached by road via the towns of Balakot, Abbottabad and Mansehra. In Balakot, buses and other transports can be used to travel to Kaghan. It can also be reached from the capital, Islamabad, and Peshawar by renting a car to Abbottabad. Tourists can then order a taxi or ride other public transports to go to the valley.[12]
Kaghan Valley is always accessible during the summer season (May to September) and closed to visitors during winter. This is because the glaciers block the roads leading to Kaghan Valley during winter, causing the roads to close. These glaciers would melt from February to April. From May to the end of September, the roads and Babusar Pass remain open. In May, the temperature can reach up to 11 °C (52 °F) and stoop as low as 3 °C (37 °F).[13]
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