How long is the road from Gilgit to Skardu?
Pakistan, asia
167 km
1,494 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising from Gilgit to Skardu in northern Kashmir, Pakistan is a proper adventure. This 167 km (104 mi) stretch, also known as Strategic Highway 1 or simply Skardu Road, climbs from Gilgit (elevation 1,500m or 4,900ft) to Skardu (elevation 2,226m or 7,303ft) along the Indus River. Think hairpin turns and dramatic drop-offs - not for the faint of heart!
While it used to be a mix of gravel, it's now fully paved, which means the journey, when the road is open, clocks in at around 3–4 hours. Be warned: weather can shut this route down for days (sometimes even weeks) at a time, and landslides are a real risk.
Built by Pakistani and Chinese engineers between 1970 and 1982, this road is a feast for the eyes. Expect stunning valleys, charming villages, and impressive suspension bridges along the way. It's a strategically important road, so you'll be sharing the road with everyone from locals to the military.
Road Details
- Country
- Pakistan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 167 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,494 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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