
Dare to drive the dangerous Deosai Park Road
Pakistan, asia
84 km
4,082 m
moderate
Year-round
Ready for an epic adventure in Pakistan's Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan province? Deosai Park Road is calling your name!
This 84km (52-mile) route snakes north to south from Skardu to Astore Valley Road, carving its way through raw, untamed beauty. Be warned: this isn't your average Sunday drive! You'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle the mostly unpaved terrain. Get ready to ford rivers on some seriously nail-biting bridges, including one of the most incredible you'll ever see.
Nestled in Deosai National Park, the road climbs to dizzying heights, crossing Ali Malik Mar Pass (4,082m/13,392ft) and Chhachor Pass (4,209m/13,809ft). As you ascend, prepare to be mesmerized by countless lakes, including the shimmering Sheosar Lake and the aptly named Blind Lake, perched at a staggering 4,158m (13,641ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest lakes on Earth!
Located on the Deosai Plains, the world's second-highest plateau after the Tibetan Plateau, squeezed between the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges, this road is a summer-only affair. From November to May, Deosai is buried under a blanket of snow. When the thaw arrives, access opens from Astore Valley in the west and Skardu in the north. Expect muddy conditions early in the season from melting snow, making the going tough. This "Land of Giants" is a winter wonderland turned summer dream, offering views you won't soon forget.
Where is it?
Dare to drive the dangerous Deosai Park Road is located in Pakistan (asia). Coordinates: 31.6574, 69.3094
Road Details
- Country
- Pakistan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 84 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,082 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 31.6574, 69.3094
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