Driving in snow in Pakistan means Murree, the Galiyat, Naran and similar hill roads in winter, where snow chains, a properly inflated set of tyres and, above all, the willingness to turn back before the road jams solid, matter more than any special skill. The real danger on these roads has rarely been the snow itself; it's traffic getting stuck in it, with cars queued nose to tail on a single carriageway and nowhere for anyone to go.
This guide covers what to carry, how to drive safely once snow starts falling, and how to read the traffic trap that has caused the worst incidents on Pakistan's hill roads in past winters.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Common snow roads | Murree, Galiyat (Nathia Gali, Ayubia), Naran, Kaghan, parts of Azad Kashmir |
| Snow chains | Recommended, sometimes required by local police during heavy snowfall |
| Tyre pressure | Slightly reduced for more road contact; check before, not during, the drive |
| Biggest real risk | Traffic gridlock stranding cars on a single-carriageway hill road |
| When to turn back | If the road ahead is visibly queued or police advise against continuing |
Snow chains
Metal snow chains fit over your tyres to grip an icy or snow-packed surface far better than tread alone. They are not standard equipment in most Pakistani cars, but local traffic police have specifically advised tourists to carry them for trips to Murree and similar hill stations during heavy snowfall, and in a serious snowfall they are sometimes treated as a practical requirement, with the deputy commissioner's office in Murree asking tourists to carry metal chains along with basic supplies.
A few practical points:
- Buy or rent chains before you set off, not once you're already on a snowy hill road. They're sold in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and, less reliably, from roadside stalls near Murree during snow season.
- Practise fitting them at home first. Doing it for the first time on a cold, snowy roadside in the dark is exactly the situation you want to avoid.
- Only fit them on snow or ice, not on clear tarmac, since they wear quickly and grip badly on a dry road.
Tyre pressure and general prep
Before a winter trip to any hill station, have your tyres checked properly, not just topped up by eye. A slightly reduced tyre pressure can improve grip on snow by increasing the tyre's contact area with the road, but this is a fine adjustment best done by a mechanic who knows your specific tyres, not a rule to apply blindly. What matters more for most drivers:
- Tread depth. Worn tyres lose grip on snow and ice far faster than on a dry road, and this is the single biggest factor in how your car handles winter conditions.
- A full tank before you start climbing. Fuel stations thin out on hill roads, and an idling car burns fuel quickly if you're stuck in traffic.
- Working heating and clear windows. A fogged or icy windscreen in slow-moving hill traffic is a hazard in its own right.
- Warm clothing and supplies in the car, not the boot, in case you're stopped for an extended period. Local advisories have specifically told winter tourists to carry drinking water, dried fruit and warm clothing for exactly this reason.
The real danger: gridlock, not snow
Pakistan's worst winter road incidents on hill roads have not been about a car sliding off the road. They have been about traffic jamming solid on a single carriageway during heavy snowfall, with hundreds of vehicles stuck nose to tail, unable to move forward or reverse, for hours in freezing temperatures. In January 2022, a heavy, unexpected snowstorm trapped thousands of vehicles on the roads into Murree, and a number of people in stranded cars died from exposure to the cold rather than from any collision. It remains the clearest warning for anyone driving to a hill station in winter: the risk isn't sliding off the road, it's being stuck on it with the engine off and no way to keep warm.
What this means in practice:
- Don't drive up during or immediately after a heavy snow forecast, especially on a weekend or holiday when traffic volume is already high. Large numbers of vehicles arriving at once is what turns manageable snowfall into gridlock.
- Keep the fuel tank topped up, since an idling engine for heating during a long stop uses fuel steadily, and running out while stationary in the cold is dangerous.
- If traffic stops moving for an extended period, don't simply wait it out passively. Watch for local police direction, and be prepared to turn back the way you came if that's still possible, rather than pushing further into a jam that isn't clearing.
- Follow local traffic police and district administration advisories closely. In recent winters, Murree's traffic police and the district administration have issued specific advisories ahead of forecast snowfall, including asking visitors to avoid travelling on the worst-affected days.
When to simply turn back
The single most useful skill for winter hill driving isn't a technique, it's the judgement to stop and turn around before conditions force the decision for you. Turn back, or don't set out at all, if:
- The road ahead is visibly queued with no movement for a sustained period
- Local police or an official advisory is telling tourists to avoid the route
- Snowfall is heavy enough that visibility is dropping fast and there's no urgent need to continue
- Your car doesn't have chains, decent tyres or a full tank, and conditions have turned worse than expected after you set out
None of this is really about driving skill. It's about accepting that a beautiful snowy hill station isn't worth reaching if the road there traps you for a night in a freezing traffic jam.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need snow chains to drive to Murree in winter?
They're not legally required on every trip, but traffic police have specifically advised carrying them for winter trips during heavy snowfall, and in a serious snow event they can be the difference between moving and being stuck. Buy them in Islamabad or Rawalpindi before you travel.
What was the Murree snowstorm tragedy?
In January 2022, an unexpectedly heavy snowstorm trapped thousands of vehicles on the roads into Murree over a single weekend, and a number of people in stranded cars died from exposure to the cold. It's the reason local advisories now stress avoiding travel during forecast heavy snowfall.
Should I lower my tyre pressure for snow?
A slight reduction can help grip in some conditions, but it's a fine adjustment best left to a mechanic familiar with your car and tyres, rather than something to do yourself without guidance. Good tread depth matters more for most drivers than exact pressure.
How do I know if it's safe to drive to a hill station in snow?
Check the current forecast and local traffic police advisories before you set out, and treat a forecast of heavy snowfall, especially on a weekend, as a reason to delay rather than push through. Our guide to when to go covers the seasons for the north more broadly.
What should I do if traffic stops moving on a snowy hill road?
Keep the fuel tank from running too low, follow any direction from local police, and be ready to turn back if the jam isn't clearing rather than waiting indefinitely with the engine off in freezing temperatures.
