Kaghan to GB Travel Route Closed Until Summer
The popular Kaghan to Gilgit-Baltistan travel route is now closed completely for the winter season. The Mansehra district administration imposed this essential ban for passenger safety reasons. No passenger vehicles can travel between KP and GB until next summer begins. The mountainous route becomes dangerously icy and unpredictable during winter months. Tourists can currently only travel to Battakundi with chained tires during limited daylight hours.
Safety Measures and Travel Restrictions
Local officials made this important decision after consulting all relevant departments thoroughly. The comprehensive travel ban affects all passenger vehicles, private cars, and tourists completely. The neighboring Chilas administration has coordinated this essential safety measure closely with Mansehra authorities.
Tourists can currently access areas up to Battakundi but only for limited hours each day. All vehicles must use chained tires strictly between 11 AM and 3 PM for basic safety. The route becomes particularly unsafe before and after this crucial four-hour window due to ice formation.
Winter Preparations and Reopening Timeline
Most local communities have already begun their traditional seasonal migration to lower areas. The remaining residents will leave shortly after the second snowfall arrives. All police posts in the upper valley areas have closed for winter already due to inaccessibility.
The critical Kaghan-Babusar Top section will definitely reopen in early May next year according to officials. Until then, the entire valley remains completely closed to all movement and tourism activity. This annual closure essentially protects all travelers from potentially dangerous winter conditions consistently.
