Road trip routes / Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Jhelum Valley: Muzaffarabad to Chakothi
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Opens turn-by-turn directions in your Maps app. This is a planning route, not a live booking or road-condition guarantee.
Route details
Times assume a 7:00 AM start — a planning estimate, not a schedule.
7:00 AM
Muzaffarabad (Start)
The capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, starting point for the drive down the Jhelum River toward Chakothi.
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Red Fort (Muzaffarabad Fort)
A 16th-century fort above the Neelum River in the city.
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Domail Point (Sangam)
The confluence of the Neelum and Jhelum rivers.
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Pir Chinasi
A 2,900 m hilltop shrine 30 km from the city, with wide valley views and snow in winter.
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Chattar Class
A viewpoint area on the way down into the Jhelum Valley.
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Dulai Waterfall
A roadside waterfall on the way to Garhi Dupatta.
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Garhi Dupatta
A town on both banks of the Jhelum, with hotels, a bazaar, and a rest house.
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Subri Lake
A small lake formed by a 1975 cloudburst, with an angler's hut.
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Hattian Bala
District headquarters of Jhelum Valley District, and the turnoff for the Chikar side valley.
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Chikar
A cool hill station reached via Hattian Bala, and the base for Zalzal Lake and the Ganga Choti trek.
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Zalzal Lake
A lake formed by 2005 earthquake landslides near Chikar.
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Sudhan Gali
A high meadow on the way to Ganga Choti.
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Ganga Choti
A 3,045 m peak near Chikar, one of AJK's most popular treks.
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Chinari
A town on the left bank of the Jhelum, 51 km from Muzaffarabad, with a rest house, bazaar, and post office.
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Jaskol Waterfall
A waterfall near Chinari.
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Cham Waterfall
Another waterfall in the Chinari area.
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Chakothi (End)
A border village 8 km past Chinari, with panoramic Jhelum River views. A restricted area; domestic tourists are allowed.
Road trip routes / Jhelum Valley: Muzaffarabad to Chakothi
Jhelum Valley: Muzaffarabad to Chakothi
The Jhelum River corridor south-east of Muzaffarabad, a fort, waterfalls, and riverside towns on the way to the border at Chakothi, with a side detour up to Chikar's hill station, the earthquake-formed Zalzal Lake, and the Ganga Choti trek.
Distance
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Drive time
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Best time to go
April to October; the Chikar/Sudhan Gali side valley is accessible May to November.
Road conditions
An all-weather metalled road runs Muzaffarabad to Garhi Dupatta to Chinari to Chakothi, about 59 km.
Route overview
The Jhelum River corridor south-east of Muzaffarabad, a fort, waterfalls, and riverside towns on the way to the border at Chakothi, with a side detour up to Chikar's hill station, the earthquake-formed Zalzal Lake, and the Ganga Choti trek.
Stop by stop
In driving order. Significant stops link to their own field guide; the rest are labelled waypoints along the way.
Muzaffarabad
The capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, starting point for the drive down the Jhelum River toward Chakothi.
Red Fort (Muzaffarabad Fort)
A 16th-century fort above the Neelum River in the city.
Domail Point (Sangam)
The confluence of the Neelum and Jhelum rivers.
Pir Chinasi
A 2,900 m hilltop shrine 30 km from the city, with wide valley views and snow in winter.
Chattar Class
A viewpoint area on the way down into the Jhelum Valley.
Dulai Waterfall
A roadside waterfall on the way to Garhi Dupatta.
Garhi Dupatta
A town on both banks of the Jhelum, with hotels, a bazaar, and a rest house.
Subri Lake
A small lake formed by a 1975 cloudburst, with an angler's hut.
Hattian Bala
District headquarters of Jhelum Valley District, and the turnoff for the Chikar side valley.
Chikar
A cool hill station reached via Hattian Bala, and the base for Zalzal Lake and the Ganga Choti trek.
Zalzal Lake
A lake formed by 2005 earthquake landslides near Chikar.
Sudhan Gali
A high meadow on the way to Ganga Choti.
Ganga Choti
A 3,045 m peak near Chikar, one of AJK's most popular treks.
Chinari
A town on the left bank of the Jhelum, 51 km from Muzaffarabad, with a rest house, bazaar, and post office.
Jaskol Waterfall
A waterfall near Chinari.
Cham Waterfall
Another waterfall in the Chinari area.
Chakothi
A border village 8 km past Chinari, with panoramic Jhelum River views. A restricted area; domestic tourists are allowed.