Driving the Chapursan Valley Road: A high-frontier journey in Pakistan

Driving the Chapursan Valley Road: A high-frontier journey in Pakistan

Pakistan, asia

Length

51 km

Elevation

3,357 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a taste of the real, untamed Pakistan, then the Chapursan Valley Road is calling your name. Tucked away in the Gojal region of Gilgit-Baltistan, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a 51km (31 mile) stretch of raw, rugged road that serves as the lifeblood for eight isolated villages, all the way up to the doorstep of Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor.

You'll jump off the legendary Karakoram Highway at Khuda Abad, and from there, it's a westward trek alongside the Chapursan River. Get ready to be blown away by the otherworldly scenery โ€“ think dramatic granite peaks and expansive plains that look like they belong on the moon!

The road tops out at Yashkuk village, sitting pretty at 3,357m (11,013ft). Many travelers make their final stop at the Shrine of Baba Ghundi, a super important spiritual spot for the local Ismaili people. This is where the road ends and ancient yak trails begin, right near the Afghan border.

Word to the wise: due to its remote location and proximity to Afghanistan, you'll want to take precautions before heading out.

Where is it?

Driving the Chapursan Valley Road: A high-frontier journey in Pakistan is located in Pakistan (asia). Coordinates: 31.0587, 71.7434

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Road Details

Country
Pakistan
Continent
asia
Length
51 km
Max Elevation
3,357 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
31.0587, 71.7434

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