To reach the Hazara Waterfalls from Islamabad, drive to Haripur district and take the paved Jab-Khanpur road to the foot of the hill, then walk about 15 minutes. Reports put the trip at roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from Islamabad. From Lahore, it is the four-plus hours of the M-2 to Islamabad first, so most people make it a long day or break the journey.
This post is only about getting there. For what the falls are like, see our Hazara Waterfalls visitor guide, and for the climb itself, the hike and safety guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Destination | Jab Valley, Khanpur area, Haripur district |
| Islamabad to the falls | About 60 to 80 km depending on route; 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Haripur city to the falls | About 25 km |
| Khanpur Dam to the falls | About 30 km (Dawn, 2021) |
| Lahore to Islamabad by M-2 | About 367 km; roughly 4 to 4.5 hours |
| Last stretch | Paved Jab-Khanpur road, then about 15 minutes on foot |
Which route should you take from Islamabad?
Two routes are in common use, and both end on the same Jab-Khanpur road.
Option 1: the motorway
Take the M-1 towards Peshawar, leave at the Hazara interchange at Burhan near Hasan Abdal, and follow the Hazara Motorway (M-15) north past Haripur. Dawn's 2021 report measured the falls at about 17 km from the Khanpur interchange of the Hazara Motorway, so use the exit signed for Khanpur. This is the faster and smoother option, and a toll applies on both motorways. Rates change, so check the current schedule in our Hazara Motorway guide or at the toll plaza.
Option 2: GT Road and Khanpur
The older route uses the Grand Trunk Road through Taxila and Hasan Abdal, then Haripur and the road towards Khanpur. Dawn put the distance at about 80 km from Islamabad by GT Road. It has no toll, but it passes through built-up stretches and is slower, especially on weekends. It also takes you close to Khanpur, and our Khanpur Dam guide covers a good place to stop.
Which one for most people?
The motorway if you want a predictable drive. GT Road if you want to stop in Taxila or Haripur on the way. Whichever you choose, set Google Maps to "Hazara Waterfalls, Jab" before leaving, because the final turn off the main road is easy to miss and mobile signal can fade in the hills.
How to reach it from Lahore
Lahore to Islamabad on the M-2 is about 367 km, and journeys typically take four to four and a half hours depending on traffic. Add the 1.5 to 2 hours from Islamabad, and the one-way journey is nearly six hours or more. See our Lahore to Islamabad motorway guide for the exits and rest areas.
A same-day return from Lahore is possible but tiring, and it leaves little time at the falls. Two sensible alternatives:
- Overnight in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, then do the waterfalls the next morning when you are fresh.
- Travel on a Friday night or very early Saturday and head back on Sunday with the waterfalls as your last stop.
Remember that many drivers on the M-2 are making this journey on holidays, so Eid weekends are best avoided.
The last stretch: Jab-Khanpur road and the walk
Once you are on the Jab-Khanpur road, it is paved all the way to the point where the hillside path begins. Reports describe a small parking area near the falls, and the walk from the road to the foot of the hill takes about 15 minutes. A hill path leads on from there.
Your car does not need to be a 4x4 for the road itself, but note two things:
- The road is a village road in hill country, so it is narrower and slower than the motorway. Expect oncoming vehicles on weekends.
- On busy days, parking can be informal and roadside. Park considerately and do not block local traffic or farm tracks.
Public transport and hired cars
There is no direct bus from Islamabad to the falls. The usual public-transport approach is by bus or van to Haripur, then a local vehicle towards Jab and Khanpur, and a final stretch on foot or by motorbike or small taxi. Fares are negotiable and we could not find a reliable current figure, so agree the price before you set off and ask whether the driver will wait for the return trip. Without your own vehicle, getting back in the evening is the hard part.
For most visitors, a hired car with a driver from Islamabad or Rawalpindi is easier. Agree the route, waiting time and any toll in advance, as you would for any day trip from Islamabad.
Timing the drive
- Leave early. Reaching the road by 9 or 10 am gives you cooler weather and a quiet trail.
- Avoid Sunday evening on the way back, when much of the weekend traffic returns to Islamabad.
- Check the weather. Heavy rain makes the falls dramatic but the rocks slippery. See our monsoon travel safety guide for the broader picture.
- Fuel up in Haripur or on the motorway; do not count on fuel near Jab.
Is the area safe to travel to?
Haripur is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against visiting, and Pakistani families travel there regularly from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Security conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been uneven in 2026, with serious attacks in other parts of the province, so check the latest news and police advice before setting out. Overseas visitors should read their own government's travel advice, which can affect insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How far are the Hazara Waterfalls from Islamabad?
Sources give 60 to 80 km depending on the route, with drive times of about 1.5 to 2 hours. GT Road is the longer option, and the motorway is faster.
Which motorway exit do I take for Hazara Waterfalls?
Take the Hazara Motorway (M-15) from the M-1 at Burhan, and use the Khanpur exit. Dawn reported the falls about 17 km from the Khanpur interchange.
Can I reach Hazara Waterfalls from Lahore in one day?
Yes, but it is a long day: about 367 km to Islamabad plus 1.5 to 2 hours onward each way. Staying overnight near Islamabad is easier.
Do I need a 4x4?
No. The Jab-Khanpur road is paved, and the last part is on foot. A normal car is fine in dry weather.
How long is the walk from the road?
About 15 minutes to the foot of the hill. The upper falls need further climbing.
Is there public transport?
Not a direct service. You would travel to Haripur by bus or van and then arrange a local vehicle for the last stretch.
