Hispar Glacier

A 49 km Karakoram glacier in Nagar that joins the Biafo at Hispar La to form the longest ice route outside the poles.

GPGreenPak Field GuidesSourced from Green Tourism Pakistan · 2 min read

The Hispar Glacier runs 49 km through the Karakoram in Nagar. At the Hispar La (5,128 m) it meets the 67 km Biafo Glacier, and together they make the longest glacier system in the world outside the polar regions.

Why go

✦A 49 km glacier in the Karakoram
✦Joins the Biafo at Hispar La, 5,128 m
✦The longest glacier system outside the poles
✦Snow Lake on the traverse

About

The 100 km of ice between them is an old route linking two mountain kingdoms: Nagar to the west and Baltistan to the east. Trekkers cross it on the Biafo–Hispar traverse, which passes Snow Lake, the great basin of ice below the Hispar La. It is a serious expedition. The upper Biafo means hard boulder-hopping along the moraines, four big tributary glaciers from the north have to be crossed, and stream crossings can be dangerous when the water is high. The Hispar River, which feeds the Hunza River, rises from the glacier's meltwater.

How to Reach

From the Karakoram Highway in Nagar up the Hispar valley road; the traverse itself is on foot, starting from Askole on the Baltistan side or Hispar on the Nagar side.

Responsible Travel

Use Leave No Trace principles, carry out all rubbish, avoid disturbing wildlife and livestock, and respect private/community land.

Planning tip

Best Time to Visit, July to September for the traverse.

Getting there, From the Karakoram Highway in Nagar up the Hispar valley road; the traverse itself is on foot, starting from Askole on the Baltistan side or Hispar on the Nagar side.

Allow, The traverse takes well over a week, so plan it with an outfitter; a walk to the snout takes a day.