Azad Kashmir Tourist Map: Regions, Routes and Distances

Read as a tourist map, Azad Kashmir is a narrow strip about 400 km long and only 15 to 65 km wide, running from the Neelum valley in the north to Bhimber on the edge of Punjab. It has three divisions and ten districts. Most visitors enter at Kohala Bridge for Muzaffarabad and the Neelum valley, or at Azad Pattan for Rawalakot and Poonch, while Mirpur is reached from the GT Road near Jhelum. The Line of Control runs along the whole eastern side, which shapes where you can go.

This guide sets out how the regions fit together, the road distances from Islamabad and Lahore, and how to plan a route that does not waste a day.

The three divisions

Muzaffarabad division covers Muzaffarabad, Neelum and Hattian Bala (the Jhelum valley) districts. This is where most visitors go: the capital, the Neelum valley running north-east along the Neelum river past Athmuqam, Keran, Sharda and Kel, the Leepa valley, and Pir Chinasi above the city. Neelum is the largest district by land area and the northernmost, bordering Gilgit-Baltistan.

Poonch division covers Bagh, Haveli, Poonch (Rawalakot) and Sudhnoti districts, in the hills south of Muzaffarabad. Rawalakot is the base for Banjosa Lake and Toli Pir, and Sudhan Gali, above Bagh, is the base for Ganga Choti. It is quieter than the Neelum valley, with shorter drives.

Mirpur division covers Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts in the south, next to Punjab. It is lower, hotter and more urban, built around Mangla Lake and Mirpur city, and easiest to reach from Lahore and the GT Road.

Road distances from Islamabad

These are road distances from central Islamabad, from OSRM routing. OSRM's time estimates assume free-flowing roads, and on AJK's mountain roads real journeys take far longer, so we give distances and you should allow a wide margin, especially beyond Athmuqam.

The Neelum road narrows and slows beyond Athmuqam, and landslides, repairs and summer traffic can add hours. Most people treat Kel as a full day's drive from Islamabad, or break the journey at Keran or Sharda.

The entry points

Kohala Bridge, over the Jhelum river, is the gateway from Islamabad and Murree for Muzaffarabad, the Neelum valley and Leepa. It is about 90 km by road from Islamabad, and Muzaffarabad is roughly another 40 km beyond it along the river.

Azad Pattan Bridge, further south on the Jhelum, is about 74 km from Islamabad and is the direct route to Rawalakot, Palandri and Bagh. Rawalakot is only about 110 km from Islamabad this way, which is why Banjosa works as a weekend trip.

Mirpur division is reached from the GT Road at Dina, near Jhelum, for Mangla and Mirpur, about 218 km from Lahore. Bhimber is about 179 km from Lahore through Gujrat district.

Distances inside Azad Kashmir

The Leepa road crosses the Reshian Gali ridge, which snow can close in winter; our how to reach Leepa valley guide covers it. Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot are over 100 km apart by road, so the Neelum valley and Poonch are better treated as separate legs than as day trips from one base.

Where the Line of Control runs

The Line of Control follows AJK's eastern side from top to bottom. In the Neelum valley the road runs close to it for long stretches; at Keran the river itself forms the line. Further south it passes near Haveli, Kotli and Bhimber, where Baghsar Fort sits close to it.

The UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which covers most of the Neelum valley including Keran, Sharda, Kel and Taobat, and Leepa. It advises against all but essential travel to the rest of AJK. Never photograph military posts, and carry your CNIC or passport for the checkpoints. Our LoC viewpoints guide and Neelum valley map go into more detail.

Planning a route around the regions

1. Neelum valley, three to five days. Islamabad to Keran or Sharda on day one, Kel and Arang Kel next, and back via Muzaffarabad. Our Neelum valley 3-day itinerary sets this out.
2. Poonch weekend, two days. Islamabad to Rawalakot via Azad Pattan, Banjosa and Toli Pir, with an optional night at Sudhan Gali.
3. Mirpur and Mangla, one or two days, ideally from Lahore or the GT Road, in the cooler months.
4. A longer loop, Muzaffarabad, Leepa and then Bagh and Rawalakot, needs at least a week.

Our Kashmir guide covers choosing a base, and our Neelum Valley tour is a five-day version of the first route.

Frequently asked questions