Pakistan has a handful of working chairlifts and cable cars, and they cluster in two places: the hill stations above Islamabad and the northern valleys. The best known are at Patriata and Ayubia near Murree, Malam Jabba in Swat, Arang Kel in the Neelum valley, and Naltar above Gilgit. Several more, including a lift to Saif-ul-Malook Lake at Naran, have been announced for years without being built.
This guide lists every lift actually running, what a ride costs, how long it takes, and when each one operates.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Patriata (New Murree) | Chairlift and cable car, about 7 km round trip |
| Ayubia | Chairlift over the pine forest, about 7 km round trip |
| Pindi Point (Murree) | Short chairlift, viewpoint only |
| Malam Jabba | Chairlift up the ski slope, Swat |
| Arang Kel | Chairlift over the Neelum River, Kel to a ridge below the village |
| Naltar | Pakistan's highest chairlift, mainly for skiers in winter |
| Season | Roughly April/May to October for the hill-station lifts; check locally for winter |
Patriata (New Murree)
Patriata, also called New Murree, runs the country's best-known chairlift and cable car combination, a round trip of roughly 7 km through pine forest to a hilltop with food stalls and a viewpoint. In 2026 a general ticket runs to about PKR 1,300 per person, with a faster "executive" ticket priced well above that; both are worth confirming at the counter, since prices here have risen sharply over the past few years. It runs daily through the main season, roughly 9:30am to 6:30pm, and closures are common in poor weather, especially from October to April. Allow two to three hours for the full round trip once you count the queue.
Ayubia
A short drive further along the ridge from Murree, the Ayubia chairlift carries visitors over the pine forest of Ayubia National Park, with a ride costing roughly PKR 950 per person in recent seasons. It runs a similar hours to Patriata, from around 9am, and is usually the quieter of the two Murree-area lifts on a weekday. It sits beside the Pipeline Track, a popular 4 km walking trail to Dunga Gali, so many visitors combine the two.
Pindi Point, Murree
Closer to Murree's Mall Road, Pindi Point has a smaller, cheaper chairlift over a wooded slope, aimed more at a short scenic ride than a destination in itself. Tickets have run at a few hundred rupees in recent years, well below Patriata's. It suits families with limited time who want a quick lift ride without the drive out to New Murree.
Malam Jabba, Swat
Pakistan's main ski resort runs a chairlift up its slope year-round, not just in the snow season, carrying summer visitors up for the view over the Swat valley alongside winter skiers. Combined chairlift and gate-entry charges have run into the low thousands of rupees per person in recent seasons, and prices have been a point of local complaint, so check the current rate at the gate rather than relying on an old figure. Our guide to Swat has more on when to visit and what else the valley offers.
Arang Kel, Neelum Valley
In Azad Kashmir, a small chairlift crosses the Neelum River from Kel towards Arang Kel, cutting out the steepest part of the climb to the meadow village above. It is a short ride in a small cabin, seasonal, and often has a real queue in summer; our guide to the Arang Kel chairlift covers the current fare, queue times and the walk still ahead once you step off.
Naltar, Gilgit-Baltistan
Above Gilgit, the Naltar ski resort has what is usually described as Pakistan's highest chairlift, built to serve the slopes rather than sightseers, reaching well over 3,000 metres. It is used mainly by skiers in winter; outside the ski season it is not a reliable sightseeing ride, so don't build a summer day trip around it. Naltar itself, with its three coloured lakes, is worth the detour regardless.
Lifts that don't exist yet
You will see plans online for a chairlift from Naran to Saif-ul-Malook Lake, and another linking Shogran to the Siri Paye meadows. Both have been proposed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for years, with feasibility studies reported but no lift built as of our most recent check. Don't plan a trip around either one; the jeep and horse routes to both places remain the only way up.
Which is worth the trip
Patriata and Ayubia are close enough together that a Murree weekend can fairly easily take in both, and Ayubia is the better choice if you also want a forest walk. Malam Jabba's lift is worth it mainly if you are already in Swat for other reasons, since it is a long way to come for a chairlift alone. Arang Kel's is different in kind: it is the practical way most visitors reach a village that is otherwise a hard climb, not a ride for its own sake.
Frequently asked questions
Which chairlifts in Pakistan are actually running in 2026?
Patriata and Ayubia near Murree, Pindi Point in Murree, the Malam Jabba chairlift in Swat, the Arang Kel chairlift in the Neelum valley, and the Naltar chairlift near Gilgit, which mainly serves skiers in winter.
Is there a chairlift to Saif-ul-Malook Lake?
Not yet. A chairlift from Naran has been proposed by the provincial government for years but has not been built as of our most recent check. The road and jeep track remain the only way up.
How much does a chairlift ride cost in Pakistan?
It varies widely by site and season, from a few hundred rupees at Pindi Point to well over a thousand at Patriata's executive ticket. Prices rise most years, so treat any figure online as a guide and confirm at the counter.
Do the chairlifts run in winter?
Most of the hill-station lifts close or run reduced hours once heavy snow sets in, roughly from late autumn. Naltar's lift is the exception, since it exists mainly for winter skiing.
Is the Neelum valley chairlift safe to visit?
Pakistani tourists visit every summer, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel in Azad Kashmir within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which covers most of the Neelum valley including Kel and Arang Kel, and against all but essential travel to the rest of AJK. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, since travelling against it can void your insurance. Everyone should check local news and current conditions before setting out.
