Cycling in northern Pakistan means, for almost everyone who tries it, riding some or all of the Karakoram Highway between Gilgit and the Khunjerab Pass, a paved route through Hunza that's become one of the better-known high-altitude cycle routes in Asia. This guide covers the route and its gradients, what to carry, where to stay, and when a support vehicle is worth having rather than riding fully self-supported.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Core route | Gilgit to Khunjerab Pass via Karimabad, Gulmit and Passu |
| Distance, Gilgit to Khunjerab | Roughly 200 km |
| Highest point | Khunjerab Pass, 4,693 metres |
| Surface | Paved Karakoram Highway throughout this stretch |
| Best months | June to September |
| Realistic daily distance | 40 to 70 km, less on the steepest days |
The route most people ride
The standard route runs from Gilgit up the Karakoram Highway through Karimabad (Hunza's main town), Gulmit and Passu, finishing at or near Khunjerab Pass on the Chinese border. Many riders fly into Gilgit to skip the longer, harder road south of it, then cycle from there. The road is paved for this whole stretch, passing Attabad Lake, the Hussaini suspension bridge and the Passu glaciers, with genuinely spectacular scenery for most of the ride.
Some tour operators extend the trip further south towards Islamabad, or combine cycling with a jeep transfer for the steepest or most exposed sections. If your route uses the Karakoram Highway north of Mansehra towards Chilas (via Battagram, Besham and Dasu), current UK travel advice is against travel on that stretch; most cycling tours and independent riders travelling to Gilgit from the south now fly that leg or, in summer, route around it via Babusar Pass instead. Check the current advice for whichever stretch your plan covers, and be aware that it can affect travel insurance for foreign-passport holders.
Gradients and what to expect physically
The ride from Gilgit towards Karimabad gains a few hundred metres over a day's riding on a good surface, which is manageable for a reasonably fit cyclist. The climb gets steadier and steeper the further north you go, and the final approach to Khunjerab Pass is the hardest section on the route: a sustained climb to 4,693 metres where the thin air slows everyone down, regardless of fitness. Riders who've done the full route describe the descent back down from Khunjerab as one of the longest continuous downhills of the trip, so keep your brakes properly checked before you climb.
Altitude affects cycling performance more than most people expect. Above about 3,000 metres, plan on covering noticeably less distance per day than you would at sea level, and take an easy day if anyone in the group develops a headache, unusual breathlessness or nausea.
Spares and what to carry
Specialist touring-bicycle parts (specific tyres, cassette gears, disc brake pads) are hard to find outside Islamabad, and even Gilgit's bike shops are geared towards motorcycles and basic commuter bicycles rather than touring bikes. Bring what you can't easily replace on the road:
- Spare tubes, a patch kit and a compact pump, since punctures on the highway's gravel margins are common.
- Spare brake pads and cables, particularly given the long descent from Khunjerab.
- A basic multitool and chain-repair links.
- Sunscreen and lip protection strong enough for reflected sun at altitude, plus a warm layer for the top of the pass even in summer.
Where to stay
Guesthouses and hotels in Karimabad, Gulmit and Passu are used to cyclists passing through, and most will store a bike safely overnight. There's simple accommodation at Sost, the last town before Khunjerab, though most riders return to Passu or Gulmit rather than staying there. Book ahead in the June to August peak season, when rooms in Karimabad in particular fill up with a mix of cyclists, motorcyclists and driving groups.
Riding self-supported or with a support vehicle
A fit, experienced touring cyclist can do the Gilgit-to-Khunjerab route fully self-supported, carrying camping gear and spares and stopping at towns along the way for food and water. A support vehicle changes the trip considerably: it carries luggage so you ride light, gives you somewhere to recover if altitude or fatigue catches up with someone in the group, and means a puncture or mechanical problem doesn't strand you between towns. For a first high-altitude cycling trip, or a mixed-ability group, a support vehicle is worth the extra cost. Several operators running Karakoram Highway cycling tours build this in as standard, along with a driver who knows the route and where to stop.
Is cycling in northern Pakistan for you?
If you're an experienced cyclist comfortable with multi-day touring and gradual altitude gain, yes, and the Karakoram Highway from Gilgit to Khunjerab is one of the more rewarding routes of its kind anywhere. If you've never cycled at altitude before, start with a shorter section, such as Gilgit to Karimabad or Karimabad to Passu, rather than committing to the full climb to Khunjerab on your first day in the saddle. Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour covers the same ground by vehicle if you'd rather see the route before deciding to cycle it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an experienced cyclist to ride the Karakoram Highway?
You should have done multi-day touring before, since the combination of distance, altitude and long climbs is demanding even on a good paved surface. A support vehicle makes it more manageable for a less experienced rider.
How many days does the Gilgit to Khunjerab route take by bicycle?
Most riders take four to six days, riding 40 to 70 km on the harder, higher days and covering more where the road is flatter, with rest built in for altitude.
Is the road surface good enough for a touring bike?
Yes, the Karakoram Highway is paved for the entire Gilgit-to-Khunjerab stretch, though expect potholes and loose gravel at the road's edge in places.
Can I hire a bicycle locally instead of bringing my own?
Some operators running Karakoram Highway cycling tours provide bikes as part of a package; a serious touring cyclist is usually better off bringing their own, set up and tested beforehand, since specialist parts are hard to source locally.
Is it safe to cycle the whole way from Islamabad to Gilgit?
Current UK travel advice is against the Karakoram Highway stretch between Mansehra and Chilas, which most cyclists now skip by flying to Gilgit or riding via Babusar Pass in summer instead. Check current advice for your specific route before you commit to it.
