Chikar is a hill town in the forested uplands of Hattian Bala district, Azad Kashmir, reached by a branch road that climbs off the main Muzaffarabad–Chakothi highway. It sits roughly 50 to 55 km from Muzaffarabad by road, at an altitude high enough for pine forest and a noticeably cooler climate than the Jhelum valley floor below, and it works both as a resort stop in its own right and as the junction for roads on to Sudhan Gali and Zalzal Lake.
This guide covers what Chikar offers, where it fits on a Jhelum Valley trip, and the two roads that lead on from it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| District | Hattian Bala, Azad Kashmir |
| From Muzaffarabad | About 50 to 55 km, up a branch road off the Chakothi highway |
| Altitude | Sources vary, roughly 1,700 to 2,000 m; a cool, pine-forested hill town |
| Onward roads | Sudhan Gali (about 10 km), Zalzal Lake |
| Best for | A cooler stop with resort accommodation, and a base for the onward drives |
| Season | Best May to October; heavy snow in winter |
Where Chikar is and how to reach it
Chikar lies off the main road that follows the Jhelum river east from Muzaffarabad towards Chakothi. A branch road leaves the highway and climbs through pine forest into the hills, reaching Chikar after a steady ascent of an hour or more from the valley floor, depending on where you turn off. The road is used daily by local transport and is manageable in an ordinary car in dry conditions, though it narrows and bends more sharply than the valley road below.
Our wider guide to the Jhelum Valley from Muzaffarabad covers the main road and where Chikar's turn-off sits on it.
What there is to see and do
Chikar's appeal is straightforward: forest, cooler air and views back down over the Jhelum valley and the hills around Muzaffarabad. It is not built around a single sight so much as the town itself, which functions as a small hill station with resort-style accommodation, restaurants and a market serving both locals and visitors passing through on the way to Sudhan Gali or Leepa Valley.
A short walk around the town gives you the forest and the views; a longer stop suits anyone wanting a night away from the valley heat in summer.
Resorts and where to stay
Chikar has developed a small cluster of resort-style hotels aimed at weekend and holiday visitors from Muzaffarabad and beyond, generally offering rooms with valley or forest views, restaurants and, in some cases, outdoor pools. Properties here range from simple guesthouses to larger resort complexes, and standards vary, so check recent reviews and confirm what is included before booking, particularly around Eid and summer weekends when rooms fill quickly.
For a broader look at where to stay across the region, our guide to resorts in Azad Kashmir compares options beyond Chikar itself.
The road on to Sudhan Gali
Sudhan Gali, at a higher and cooler altitude than Chikar, is about 10 km further on the same road, which continues towards Bagh. It is a well-known hill spot in its own right, with pine forest, cooler summers and heavy winter snow, and the road between the two towns is one continuous climb rather than a separate detour. Visitors who stay in Chikar often use it as the natural stop before or after Sudhan Gali, rather than driving both in a single rushed day from Muzaffarabad.
The road to Zalzal Lake
The other reason Chikar appears on itineraries is as the access point for Zalzal Lake, a lake formed by a landslide that blocked a stream during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. It lies off the Chikar route, roughly 55 km from Muzaffarabad by this road, and is usually visited as a side trip once you are already up at Chikar rather than as a separate journey from the valley floor. Our dedicated guide to Zalzal Lake covers how it formed and what to expect on the visit.
Planning a stop at Chikar
Chikar suits a one- or two-night stop rather than a quick drive-through, given the climb involved and the extra time needed for either onward road. A simple way to plan it:
- Drive up from Muzaffarabad or the Jhelum Valley road, allowing an hour or more for the climb.
- Settle in and use the afternoon for the town itself and the views.
- The next day, choose one onward trip: Sudhan Gali for the higher hill scenery, or Zalzal Lake for the earthquake lake, rather than trying to fit both into a single day if you also want time to enjoy Chikar itself.
Is Chikar worth the detour?
For travellers already on the Jhelum Valley road with a night or two to spare, yes. The climb trades valley heat for pine forest and cooler evenings, and it sets up an easy onward run to either Sudhan Gali or Zalzal Lake. For a fast day trip from Muzaffarabad with limited time, it is a longer detour than Garhi Dupatta or Chinari further down the valley road, and better skipped unless you can give it a proper half-day or overnight.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Chikar from Muzaffarabad?
About 50 to 55 km by road, up a branch road that climbs off the main Muzaffarabad–Chakothi highway through pine forest.
Can I take a normal car to Chikar?
Yes, in dry conditions. The road is used by regular local transport, though it is narrower and steeper than the main valley road.
How far is Sudhan Gali from Chikar?
About 10 km further along the same road, which continues on towards Bagh. The two are usually visited together rather than as separate trips.
Is Zalzal Lake reached from Chikar?
Yes. Zalzal Lake sits off the Chikar route, roughly 55 km from Muzaffarabad, and is usually visited as a side trip once you are already at Chikar.
When is the best time to visit Chikar?
May to October, when the road is clear and the forest is at its best. Winter brings heavy snow that can close the higher road towards Sudhan Gali.
Is Chikar suitable for a day trip from Muzaffarabad?
It can be done, but the climb up and back, plus time for either Sudhan Gali or Zalzal Lake, makes an overnight stay a more comfortable way to see it properly.
Is Azad Kashmir safe for visitors right now?
Pakistani tourists visit Chikar and the Jhelum Valley every summer. As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all but essential travel to most of Azad Kashmir, and against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control; Chikar itself sits away from the LoC on the hill roads above Muzaffarabad. The region also saw unrest and long internet shutdowns during the 2026 political protests. Check current local news and police advice before travelling, and if you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice, since travelling against it can void your insurance.
