The Hazara Waterfalls are a group of eight cascades in the Jab Valley of Haripur district, about 25 km from Haripur city and roughly an hour and a half to two hours by road from Islamabad. They only became widely known in 2021, which makes them one of the newest day trips from the capital. The walk is short, the setting is wooded hill country, and there is no need to stay overnight.
This guide covers how the falls came to light, what the visit involves, when to go, and the safety points that matter most. For the road itself, see our separate guide on how to reach Hazara Waterfalls from Islamabad and Lahore, and for the trail in detail, the hike difficulty and safety guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Jab Valley, Khanpur area, Haripur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Number of falls | Eight |
| From Haripur | About 25 km |
| From Islamabad | About 1.5 to 2 hours by car |
| Walk from the road | About 15 minutes to the foot of the hill, then a climb for the upper falls |
| Best for | A half-day or full-day outing from Islamabad and Rawalpindi |
| Entry | Reports say there is no entry ticket; carry cash for parking and food |
What are the Hazara Waterfalls?
They are a chain of eight tiered waterfalls fed by seasonal streams on the hillside above the Jab-Khanpur road. Some drop over bare rock, and others settle into natural pools. Reports on the size of the falls differ: one 2024 news report puts them at 50 to 100 feet each, while a 2025 report on the eco-tourism project mentions a tallest fall of nearly 400 feet. Treat both as rough.
Because the streams are seasonal, the volume of water changes through the year. After rain the falls are loud and full; in a dry spell the upper ones can shrink to a trickle.
How were they discovered?
Dawn reported in October 2021 that Hasan Nisar, a student of economics at the University of Haripur, had found the falls using a drone he bought himself. Locals had always known the area, which they used for cutting firewood, but the cascades had never been recorded as a visitor site.
Photographs and drone footage spread quickly on social media. By the Eid holidays in 2024, news reports described thousands of visitors in a single holiday period.
Where is Jab Valley and how far is it?
Jab is in the Khanpur area of Haripur district. Dawn's 2021 report gave the distance as about 17 km from the Khanpur interchange on the Hazara Motorway and about 30 km from Khanpur Dam. Distances from Islamabad are quoted anywhere between 60 and 80 km depending on the route, and drive times of 1.5 to 2 hours, mostly on motorway until the last stretch.
The final approach is on the paved Jab-Khanpur road, and the falls are reached on foot from it. Our Khanpur Dam guide is useful if you want to add a lakeside stop, and the Hazara Motorway guide covers the toll and exits.
What is the walk like?
From the Jab-Khanpur road it takes about 15 minutes to reach the foot of the hill. Dawn's 2021 description is that the first 400 metres of the roughly one-kilometre route to the last fall had been laid with carved stones by locals, enough to reach the first four falls without much difficulty. The remaining four need about 600 metres of rough hillside.
A walking path and visitor facilities have since been built under a project backed by the UK government and delivered by WWF-Pakistan. The first phase was reported at Rs 5 million, intended to replace the narrow track used by firewood carriers. Tribune later reported the work as completed, with a safer path, a visitor hut and viewing platforms. Conditions on the ground can differ from press reports, so expect the lower section to be the easy part and the upper falls to remain a proper scramble.
When is the best time to visit?
- Late winter to spring (roughly February to April): mild weather and usually enough water after winter rain, with less heat on the climb.
- Summer (May to August): the busiest months, and the falls are at their most popular on Eid days and weekends. It is hot in Haripur, so go early.
- Monsoon (July and August): the water is at its highest, but the rocks are slippery and streams can rise quickly. See our guide to monsoon travel safety in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before choosing a rainy day.
- Autumn (October and November): comfortable temperatures, with less water.
We would avoid Eid and public holidays unless crowds do not bother you. A weekday morning is the quietest time.
A sensible half-day plan
- Leave Islamabad or Rawalpindi by 7 am. The drive is mostly motorway, and an early start means a cooler climb and an emptier trail.
- Park near the base of the hill on the Jab-Khanpur road and walk the 15 minutes to the foot of the first fall.
- Spend the first hour on the lower four falls. This is the easy part, with carved stone steps for the first stretch, and it is enough for many families.
- Go higher only if everyone is fit. The upper four falls involve roughly 600 metres of rough hillside. Turn back if the rock is wet or the light is fading.
- Eat and rest before the drive back. Facilities at the site are basic, so do not count on a proper meal.
- Leave by mid-afternoon, before the Sunday-evening traffic builds up on the way back to the capital.
What else can you combine it with?
The same part of Haripur has other stops that fit into a day. Khanpur Dam is about 30 km from the falls by Dawn's measure, and our Khanpur Dam guide covers what to expect at the lake. The Haro River also passes Bhamala, where a Buddhist stupa found in 2017 is described as about 1,700 years old, and the project reports suggest linking the two for heritage visitors.
If you are interested in the Buddhist sites of the area, we also have a short guide to Badalpur Buddhist stupa, on the Haripur side of Taxila. Do not try to fit all of this into one day. The waterfalls and one other stop is plenty.
Respecting the place
Jab is a working hillside community, not a theme park. The local economy depends on firewood, livestock and small shops, and the project's stated aim is to give young people guiding and shop income instead. A few habits help:
- Buy tea and food from local stalls rather than bringing everything.
- Take all plastic and food waste back with you.
- Keep music down and stay on the marked path, which also limits erosion on the slopes.
- Ask before photographing local women and families.
Is swimming allowed and is it safe?
Treat the pools as unsafe. In June 2024 two young men from Haripur drowned at the falls while swimming, according to APP and Daily Times, days after the district administration banned bathing in rivers, streams and ponds under Section 144. Reports described the water as deep, and the track as lacking safety measures at the time.
Paddling at the edge in dry weather is a different thing from jumping into a deep pool below a fall. Keep children well back from the water and the rock edges, and follow any signs and local guidance.
What to bring
- Shoes with real grip, not flip-flops or smooth soles
- Water and snacks, because supplies at the site are limited
- A bag for your rubbish, and carry it out
- A change of clothes and a towel
- Cash in small notes for parking and food
- A power bank, since signal and battery can both be weak in the hills
Who is it for?
The falls suit families with older children, groups of friends and photographers who want a green outing close to Islamabad without a long drive north. They are a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility, for toddlers who cannot walk the uneven stretch, and for people expecting a developed park with cafes and fenced pools.
If you want something with more facilities, try Khanpur Dam or the other places in our guide to Haripur. For more cascades, our list of waterfalls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa covers other options. You can also see more regional ideas on our destinations page.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Hazara Waterfalls?
In Jab Valley, in the Khanpur area of Haripur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They are about 25 km from Haripur city and roughly 60 to 80 km from Islamabad.
How many waterfalls are there?
Eight. The first four are reached by the easier lower section of the walk, and the upper four need more climbing.
Who discovered the Hazara Waterfalls?
Hasan Nisar, a University of Haripur student, found them with a drone in 2021, according to Dawn. Local people had long known the hillside.
Is there an entry fee?
Reports say there is no entry ticket. Parking or local charges may apply, and rules can change, so carry cash and check on arrival.
Is it safe to swim at Hazara Waterfalls?
No. Two people drowned there in June 2024, and the pools are reported to be deep. Stay out of the water, especially after rain.
How long should I allow?
Plan on half a day from Islamabad: about 1.5 to 2 hours each way by road, plus time on the trail.
