Gilgit-Baltistan · Pakistan
Karakoram Highway
N-35Gilgit to Khunjerab Pass
Threading the Hunza Valley where the Hindu Kush, Himalaya and Karakoram converge, this is the centrepiece of one of the planet’s great road journeys.
Running from Gilgit north through the Hunza Valley to the Chinese border at Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m), the highway traces the Hunza River gorge past Rakaposhi and the Passu Cones with Nanga Parbat to the south. Sheer rock walls on one side, drops to the river on the other; open April to November, the pass itself closed in winter.
The highest paved border crossing on the planet, threading the one valley where the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush collide. Few drives pack this much raw mountain into a single road.
Why we picked it
Scenery
Best seasons
In these collections
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Karakoram Highway on the map157.4 mi · point to point
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Corners
busiest around mile 149Elevation
approximateunder 4%4–8%over 8%1,496.3 – 4,706 mPoints of interest3 stops
- Rakaposhi ViewViewpoint35 mi in
- Rakaposhi ViewpointViewpoint38 mi in
- Passu Cones and Straight HighwayViewpoint82 mi in
Hazards
- Landslides
- Rockfall
- Narrow road
- Extreme altitude
- Sheer drops
- Flash floods
- Khunjerab Pass closed in winter
Is Karakoram Highway open? Typical season and live summit weather ›
Sources
“The KKH runs through the highest concentration of soaring mountain peaks and raging rivers in the world and is generally considered to be among the most spectacular areas on our planet.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
Driving the Karakoram Highway: quick answers
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Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Karakoram Highway.
