Deosai National Park High Crossing — Skardu to Astore via Sheosar Lake and Bara Pani Ford (Summer Traverse)
4,000 metres of nothing but sky and brown bears.
The Deosai Plains sit at an average elevation of 4,114 metres — a vast, treeless tableland in Gilgit-Baltistan where the road is little more than a track pressed into alpine meadow. From Skardu you climb through an army checkpoint and onto the plateau proper, passing Sheosar Lake (one of the highest in Pakistan) before the track descends via multiple Bara Pani stream fords toward Astore. Snow can cover the route until late June; by August the plateau blooms with wildflowers and Himalayan brown bears dig for marmots within sight of the track. There is no fuel, no shelter, and no mechanised help between the two ends of this crossing.
This is firmly Expert territory. A modified high-clearance 4WD with a recovery kit, high-lift jack, and cold-weather sleeping gear is not optional — it’s survival equipment at this altitude. The fords at Bara Pani are straightforward in dry summer conditions but can surge dangerously after afternoon storms. The Pakistani military controls access; you will need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if you are a foreign national. The crossing is open roughly July through September. Carry enough fuel for 200+ km of low-gear running. The isolation is total and the scenery is unlike anything else on the planet.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 60 mi / 96.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 14600 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified high-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Land manager | Deosai National Park / Pakistan Wildlife Department |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | GB Wildlife – Deosai National Park |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Patrol handle this route, or does it need to be modified?
Stock is not enough here. You need a modified high-clearance 4WD — think lifted suspension, aggressive all-terrain or mud tires, and a snorkel is strongly advisable given the Bara Pani ford. A bone-stock vehicle will get you stranded or swallowed by a crossing.
When does the Deosai plateau actually open and close each year?
July through September is the reliable window. Snow can block the plateau as late as June and returns early in October — sometimes without warning. Don't push the shoulder seasons on this one; the Pakistan Wildlife Department can confirm current access conditions.
Do I need a permit to drive through Deosai National Park, and where do I get it?
Yes, a permit is required from the Pakistan Wildlife Department / GB Forest Department. Get it sorted in Skardu before you leave — there's no permit office on the plateau, and rangers do patrol the park.
What's the hardest section of the route and what specifically makes it dangerous?
The Bara Pani ford is the crux — water depth and current change fast depending on snowmelt and recent rain, and there's no bridge. The unmarked track across the plateau also demands solid navigation skills; at 14,600 feet with zero cell service and weather that rolls in without warning, getting disoriented is a real emergency.
Is there any fuel, water, or resupply between Skardu and Astore on this route?
Nothing. Zero. Fuel up completely in Skardu before departure and carry enough for the full 96 km plus a buffer — there are no settlements, no fuel stops, and no resupply of any kind across the plateau. Water from streams exists but treat everything; you're camping in brown bear country, so take that seriously too.
Trail track
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