Buzi Pass is the highest point of the Makran Coastal Highway (N-10), where the road climbs to about 323 metres above sea level through the eroded sandstone hills of Hingol National Park. It sits close to the Princess of Hope rock formation, on the stretch of highway between Kund Malir and Ormara. This guide covers what the drive over the pass is like, the viewpoint at the top, and where it is safe to pull over.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Highest point | About 323 metres above sea level |
| Location | Makran Coastal Highway (N-10), Hingol National Park, Lasbela district |
| Nearby landmark | Princess of Hope, at the start of the climb |
| Road surface | Paved throughout; narrow and steep in places |
| From Kund Malir | A short drive west, easily combined in the same day |
What the drive over Buzi Pass is like
The Makran Coastal Highway runs largely flat along the coast until it reaches this section, where the road cuts up through a range of eroded clay and sandstone hills and climbs to its highest point. The pass is paved and kept in reasonable condition, but the road is narrow in places and the climb involves tighter bends than the flat coastal stretches either side of it. Take it at a measured pace, particularly if you are unfamiliar with mountain driving, and watch for trucks coming the other way on the narrower curves.
The view from the top
At the top of Buzi Pass the road opens onto a wide view of the Arabian Sea on one side and a landscape of deeply eroded canyons and clay hills on the other. It is one of the most dramatic short stretches on the whole 653 km highway, and the contrast between the blue sea and the bare, wind-carved rock is what most visitors remember. There is a natural pull-off area near the top where vehicles routinely stop for photographs; use it rather than stopping on a bend.
The sandstone hills around the pass
The Makran Coastal Range here is built mostly of sandstone and limestone, laid down as marine sediment millions of years ago and pushed up as the Arabian and Eurasian plates converge along this coast. Wind and the occasional heavy rain have since carved the exposed rock into ridges, gullies and the free-standing pillars the road is known for. The Princess of Hope, a pinnacle shaped like a standing figure, sits right at the approach to the pass, and the Balochistan Sphinx formation is a short distance further along the same stretch. Our guides to the Princess of Hope and the Balochistan Sphinx cover both in more detail, including where exactly to stop for each.
Safe places to stop
- Use the marked pull-offs, not the road shoulder on a bend. Traffic on this stretch includes loaded trucks that cannot always see a stationary car in time.
- Keep well back from the canyon edges near the viewpoint. The clay and sandstone crumbles more easily than it looks, especially after rain.
- Don't stop directly after a blind curve to take photographs; walk back to a safe pull-off instead.
- Carry water and fuel margin. There are no services at the pass itself, and the nearest fuel is back towards Zero Point or on to Ormara.
- Drive it in daylight. Like the rest of the Makran Coastal Highway, this section is best driven in good light, both for the road itself and because public transport on the highway has been restricted to daylight hours since 2025 for security reasons.
Is Buzi Pass worth stopping for?
Yes, for anyone already driving the coastal highway towards Kund Malir, Ormara or Gwadar. It adds only a few minutes to the journey and gives one of the best views on the route without requiring a hike or a side track. If your day is built around Kund Malir alone, Buzi Pass, the Princess of Hope and the Sphinx sit close enough together that they fit easily into the same drive without adding meaningful time.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Buzi Pass?
About 323 metres above sea level, the highest point on the Makran Coastal Highway between Karachi and Gwadar.
Is the road over Buzi Pass paved?
Yes, the whole Makran Coastal Highway including Buzi Pass is paved. The climb is narrower and has tighter bends than the flatter coastal sections, so drive it slowly.
Where is the best place to stop at Buzi Pass?
At the marked pull-off area near the top of the climb, which gives an open view of the sea and the surrounding canyons without stopping on a bend in traffic.
Can I visit Buzi Pass as part of a Kund Malir day trip?
Yes. It sits close to Kund Malir and to the Princess of Hope and Balochistan Sphinx formations, and all of them can be combined in one day without a significant detour.
Is it safe to drive the Makran Coastal Highway through Buzi Pass?
The road itself is in reasonable condition, but Balochistan carries a UK government advisory against all travel, and public transport on this highway has operated under a daylight-only rule since 2025. Drive in daylight, check current local advice before setting out, and note that overseas visitors' own government advice may affect their travel insurance.
