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Kaghan Valley is a scenic wonderland. Kaghan is a
jewel among the many beautiful valleys in the Mansehra District of
Hazara in the North West Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtoon Khuah) of
Pakistan. The valley extends 160 km, rising from an elevation of 2,134
feet (650 m) to its highest point, the Babusar Pass, at 13,690 feet
(4,170 m).
Kaghan valley is named after the town of Kaghan rather than for the
Kunhar River which flows through the length of the valley. This valley
has most popular summer holiday spots for both Pakistanis as well as
foreigners. If you love hiking, trekking or fishing, then Kaghan Valley
is like heaven.
Lofty peaks crown the mountains ranges on either side like turrets,
ranging in height from 12,000 to 17,000 ft and more, with the eastern
range higher than the western. The bed of valley slopes up from 3,000 ft
at Balakot, which, as it were, the gateway of the valley, to 12,000 ft
at Gittidas beyond which the valley crosses at Babusar Pass 14,000 ft.
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The road to Kaghan is frightening because on your left are the deep
slopes to the river and on your right are the lofty mountains. The first
ten miles or so are largely barren, but when the valley raises to about
5,000 ft forests of pine and fir appear, densely overgrown with a
variety of plants, which has won for Kaghan the epithets of ‘the
botanists paradise’. The forests continue till about Naran 8,000 ft.
The local people are friendly and simple. Popular languages are Hindko
and Gojri, while Urdu, Pakistan’s national language is also familiar
among the locals.
The road from Balakot ascends along the Kunhar River through lovely
forests and the villages of Paras, Shinu, Jared and Mahandri. The valley
is somewhat narrow along this stretch and the views are limited but as
you ascend, the surrounding peaks come into view.
One spot that is quite famous for its spectacular view and scenery is
‘Shogran’. This village, surrounded by peaks and forests, is east of the
main Kunhar River. It hosts the famous Siri Payee Lake mountain with
breathtaking views at its top. |
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The region is Alpine in geography and climate, with pine forests,
crystal clear lakes, cool mountain streams and meadows dominating the
landscape below peaks that reach over 17,000 feet.
You’ll find the Himalayan peaks hidden with clouds or snow, somewhere
you’ll find the beautiful fairy tale lakes, which will attract you
toward them, and you might decide not to leave this at any cost. Where
Kaghan is full of scenic beauty there it is full of thrill and
excitement for the mountaineers and treks. That’s why it is called
virtual paradise, unbelievably in pristine state and still unspoiled by
the human.
The mountain scenerey, the dales, lakes, water-falls, streams and
glaciers are the main reason to come here. Further north from Babusar
Pass, a jeep track leads to Chilas, which is now on Karakoram Highway
(the road that connects Islamabad to Xinjiang province of China via
Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab Pass. Before Karakoram Highway was opened in
1978, the only road access to Gilgit was through Kaghan Valley.
The river Kunhar, originating from Lulusar lake, runs through the city
and merges with Jhelum River just outside Muzaffarabad in Pakistan
administered Kashmir. The river is muddy in the plains but as you go
towards the mountains it becomes clearer. Road goes along the river
Kunhar, meandering now to one side and now to the other. But keeping
most to the bed of the valley and never too far above the bank of the
stream except in the very first state.
If you like climbing this is a place for you because there are mountains
all around you. You can explore the scenic and pictorials landscape and
valleys by climbing up hiking. |
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Fishing is the chief sport in Kaghan. Brown Trout and Mahasher are
stocked in pure silvery waters in the upper parts of the valley. The
Kunhar river trout is considered to be the best throughout the
sub-continent. Fishing licenses are issued by the ‘Fisheries Department
at Naran’ or by the ‘Trout Hatchery’ at Shinu. Apart from this there are
some other private trout fish farms at Kawai (also spelled as Kiwai) and
Kahania.
One of the most interesting features of the Kaghan area is the Gujar
(herder) families you’ll see along the way bringing their animals up to
the summer pastures. On the way up to Naran, you will see so many
cattles walking along on the road, a totally new scene to look at such a
view, beautiful and happy. You will find them camped along the road in
their tents or moving up the valley with their goats, sheep and pack
animals around the start of summer and on their way back to lower
altitudes around the beginning of winter. this place is worth to see.
Kaghan Valley is a place where you defiantly want to spend few days of
your leisure.
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