
Driving the unpaved road to Lake Saiful Muluk, the Mirror of Heaven in Pakistan
Pakistan, asia
9 km
3,224 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna reach the breathtaking Saif ul Maluk Lake, a shimmering emerald gem nestled at 3,224 meters (10,578 feet) in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa? Buckle up, because the Naran-Saiful Muluk Road is a wild ride!
Forget your sedans; you'll NEED a 4x4 to conquer this 9.0 km (5.59 miles) unpaved beast. Starting in Naran, this climb is seriously steep, boasting an average gradient of 8.72% and a max of 18%! Get ready for 11 hairpin turns and some seriously scary drop-offs that'll test your nerves!
Fair warning: this route is usually snowed in from late October until late June/early July. Even in summer, expect chilly temps, especially at night, and be aware of potential avalanches. But trust me, the reward is SO worth it.
Imagine crystal-clear waters reflecting the majestic Karakoram mountains. The scenery is simply unreal! Although the lake is perfect for pictures, boating is risky, as the depth is unknown. Saif ul Maluk is a must-see destination if you're up for the challenge!
Where is it?
Driving the unpaved road to Lake Saiful Muluk, the Mirror of Heaven in Pakistan is located in Pakistan (asia). Coordinates: 30.8915, 70.2958
Road Details
- Country
- Pakistan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 9 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,224 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 30.8915, 70.2958
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