Babusar Pass — Naran to Chilas
13,691 feet between the Kaghan and the Karakoram.
Babusar Pass tops out at 13,691 feet (4,173 m) and links the green Kaghan Valley with the Indus gorge at Chilas on the Karakoram Highway. From Naran you climb past Lulusar Lake, an alpine pool at the foot of the range, through high grazing country dotted with summer herder huts. Then the road crests at Babusar Top. The descent toward Chilas is the payoff, with big switchbacks and the huge mass of Nanga Parbat on the horizon on a clear day. Parts of the road have been paved and repaved over the years, but landslides, washouts, and snowmelt streams keep the upper sections rough.
Moderate on paper, but altitude and weather do the real work. A high-clearance 4×4 is the sensible choice, and a fully stock SUV can often manage in dry conditions. The pass is typically open only from about late June to October, depending on snowpack. Fill up in Naran or Chilas, bring water and warm layers, and start early because afternoon storms build fast at the top. Chilas runs hot and has had security incidents in the past, so check current conditions with locals before you commit. Go slow and watch for buses and trucks on blind corners. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 80 mi / 128.7 km |
| Duration | 6-8 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13691 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Land manager | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan provincial governments |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock SUV or 4Runner handle Babusar Pass?
Yes, in dry summer conditions. Stock high-clearance SUVs routinely make it, and the main hazards are rockslide debris, washed-out sections, and stream crossings, not technical terrain. Carry a full-size spare, since sharp shale and broken pavement edges are hard on sidewalls.
When is Babusar Pass open, and can I drive it in winter?
Plan on July through September. Heavy snow closes the pass for most of the year, and it usually opens around June and shuts again by October or November, depending on snowpack. Early and late season runs can mean snow on the top, so check with locals in Naran or Chilas before committing.
Do I need a permit or pay fees to drive Babusar Pass?
No dedicated trail permit is commonly required, but expect police and army checkpoints where you'll show ID or passport and vehicle details. Rules for foreign travelers and local tolls change, so confirm with the district administration or a local operator before you go.
What's the hardest part of the Babusar Pass drive?
The descent from Babusar Top toward Chilas, with tight switchbacks, steep drop-offs, and loose or broken surface in places. Landslide debris and snowmelt runoff can narrow the road, and oncoming trucks and jeeps make passing tense. Drive it in low gear, don't ride the brakes, and expect altitude headaches near the 13,691-foot summit.
What should I plan for on gas, water crossings, and camping on this route?
Fill up in Naran or Chilas, since fuel stops are scarce between them even though 80 miles is well within normal range. Snowmelt crossings run highest in the afternoon, so cross in the morning when you can. Cell service is spotty, and dispersed camping is possible near the high meadows and lakes, but it gets cold and windy up top.
Trail track
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