How to drive the Chapursan Valley Road in Gilgit-Baltistan?
The Chapursan Valley Road is a high mountain track located in the Gojal region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, near the Afghan border. The road is a raw, unpaved track where river crossings and loose shale are the main obstacles for any vehicle.
How long is the Chapursan Valley Road?
The road is 51 km (31 miles) long, running from the Karakoram Highway at Khuda Abad to the settlement of Yashkuk.
Is the Chapursan Valley Road unpaved?
The road is entirely unpaved, consisting of loose shale, fine sand, and debris that the spring melt frequently washes away. In several sections, the track is cut into granite cliffs with no guardrails, leaving a narrow path with vertical drops into the Chapursan River.
Can I drive my vehicle on the Chapursan Valley Road?
Driving here requires a high-clearance 4x4 to handle multiple river crossings where the water level can rise rapidly in a few hours.
Is the Chapursan Valley Road open year-round?
Landslides and falling rocks are common on the road. Boulders often block the path after rain, requiring manual clearance to continue. From December to March, the 3,357m altitude leads to heavy snow and ice, making the road impassable.
How remote is the Chapursan Valley Road?
The isolation is total; there are no fuel stations or workshops along the 51 km stretch, and mobile phone signals disappear completely once you leave the Karakoram Highway area. Ensure you have enough fuel and food for several days, as a single landslide can block the road and leave you stranded for hours or days before it is cleared.
Is the Chapursan Valley Road under military control?
Due to the proximity to the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan, there are multiple army and police checkpoints where your documents will be checked. Night driving is forbidden by local authorities because of the risk of landslides and the lack of visibility on the narrow cliff edges. If your vehicle breaks down, you are in a frontier zone where no professional recovery services exist; you must be able to fix mechanical issues yourself.
Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson
Pic&video: Max Roving