Babusar Pass opens for tourists after seasonal closure

MANSEHRA: Babusar Pass was reopened for tourists on Monday, May 25, 2026, allowing traffic to resume on the seasonal route that links Kaghan Valley with Chilas and onward areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The reopening comes after snow clearance and road-safety work on the high-altitude route. Earlier updates had indicated that Babusar Road was expected to reopen between May 20 and May 25, subject to weather conditions and the progress of clearance operations.

Babusar Pass remains one of the most important summer routes for tourists travelling from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Gilgit-Baltistan. The route is usually closed during winter due to heavy snowfall, slippery conditions and the risk of avalanches in parts of the mountainous track.

With the road now open, tourist movement is expected to increase toward Naran, Batakundi, Jalkhad, Lulusar Lake and Babusar Top. The reopening will also support hotels, restaurants, transporters and other businesses in Kaghan Valley that depend on the summer tourism season.

Authorities have advised tourists and drivers to travel during daylight hours, avoid unnecessary stops at risky points and check weather conditions before starting their journey. Travellers have also been urged to use mechanically fit vehicles and drive carefully on sharp turns and steep sections.

Babusar Pass, located at more than 13,000 feet above sea level, is among Pakistan’s most visited mountain routes during summer. The pass provides a scenic but sensitive road link between northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, making safety advisories important even after its reopening.