Kiwai waterfall is in Kiwai village, beside the N-15 Kaghan valley road in Balakot tehsil of Mansehra district, about 22 km by road above Balakot and just under 3 km before Paras. A stream drops down beside the highway next to a cluster of small restaurants, and Kiwai is also where the side road up to Shogran and Siri Paye begins, so most visitors stop here for tea, trout or a plate of chips while arranging a jeep. Half an hour to an hour is enough for most people.
This guide covers what the stop is actually like, what to eat, and how it fits into the rest of the day if you are heading up to Shogran.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Kiwai village, Balakot tehsil, Mansehra district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Map point | About 34.633° N, 73.442° E, where the Shogran road leaves the N-15 |
| Distance from Balakot | About 22 km by road (OSRM); travel sites often say 24 to 25 km |
| Distance from Islamabad | About 185 km via the Hazara Motorway and Mansehra (OSRM) |
| On to Naran | About 60 km further up the N-15 |
| What it is | A roadside waterfall beside the N-15, with restaurants alongside |
| Food | Trout, chicken karahi and daal, plus tea and snacks |
| Time needed | 30 minutes to an hour |
| What's next | The Shogran turn-off, 7 to 8 km up a steep side road |
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Where is Kiwai waterfall?
Kiwai is on the N-15, the road that runs from Mansehra through Balakot and up the Kunhar river to Naran and the Babusar Pass. Coming from Balakot, it makes a natural first stop: about 22 km and 20 to 30 minutes up the road, just before the village of Paras. In a map app, the Shogran turning is the most reliable point to aim for; on OpenStreetMap it sits at about 34.633° N, 73.442° E, and the waterfall and restaurants are beside the main road there.
Distances you see quoted vary. Travel sites often give 24 to 25 km from Balakot, while the OSRM route planner measures about 22 km from Balakot bazaar; part of the difference is where in Balakot the count starts. From Islamabad the whole drive is about 185 km by the Hazara Motorway, and Naran is about 60 km beyond Kiwai.
What the stop is like
The waterfall itself is a modest roadside cascade rather than a destination in its own right, tumbling down beside the highway with a scatter of small restaurants and cafeterias built right up against the water. Several of the seating areas put chairs and low tables directly in the cold stream, which is as much the attraction for families as the waterfall itself, especially on a hot afternoon on the drive up from the plains.
It is a working stop rather than a scenic viewpoint: cars pull in, drivers refuel on tea, and jeeps for Shogran wait nearby for passengers. Don't expect somewhere quiet to linger; it earns its place on the itinerary as a break in the drive rather than as a sight to plan a day around.
Where to eat
Trout is the thing Kiwai is known for, served fried or in a curry, alongside chicken karahi and daal at the small restaurants lining the road. Prices and quality vary between the cafeterias, so it is worth a quick look at a couple of them before settling in, particularly if you are travelling with children who will want a simple menu.
Tea, pakoras and chips are the easier option if you just want a short break rather than a full meal, and most places are set up for exactly that: a quick stop rather than a sit-down lunch.
The Shogran turn-off
Kiwai's other role is as the junction point for Shogran. The side road climbs 7 to 8 km up a steep hillside through pine forest to Shogran at 2,362 metres, and this is where most people decide whether to take a local jeep or drive up themselves.
- By jeep. The easier option for most families, and the one most people choose. Our how to reach Shogran guide covers the 2026 fare and how the ride works.
- In your own car. Reasonable in dry summer weather with a confident driver; after rain, or with a low or heavily loaded car, it is safer to park at Kiwai and take the jeep.
If you are stopping for food at Kiwai, this is also the point to arrange the jeep for the climb, rather than waiting until you are ready to leave.
Fitting Kiwai into the day
Kiwai sits early in the drive from Islamabad, well before Naran, so it works as a first proper break rather than a lunch stop on the way back. A typical order of the day:
- Leave Islamabad early via the Hazara Motorway and Mansehra.
- Stop at Balakot for fuel and cash, since it is the last sizeable town before the valley narrows.
- Reach Kiwai after about 22 km of forested road, and stop for tea or trout while arranging the jeep to Shogran.
- Climb to Shogran, or continue up the valley toward Naran if Shogran is not on the plan.
For the road beyond Kiwai, our Islamabad to Naran road guide covers the rest of the drive in detail.
Is Kiwai waterfall worth stopping for?
Yes, as a break in the journey rather than a destination. It is a pleasant, easy stop with food and a chance to cool off, and for most people it is where the practical decisions about the rest of the day, the jeep to Shogran especially, get made. Nobody plans a special trip just to see Kiwai waterfall, and that is fine; it does its job well as a stage on a longer drive.
If your plan is Naran rather than Shogran, Kiwai is still worth a short stop for food before the road climbs further into the valley. Our Shogran valley guide covers what is at the top of the road if you do turn off, and our trip planning page can help with the rest of the route.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kiwai waterfall located?
In Kiwai village, beside the N-15 Kaghan valley road in Balakot tehsil, Mansehra district, at the point where the road to Shogran turns off, just before Paras.
How far is Kiwai waterfall from Balakot?
About 22 km by road from Balakot bazaar, 20 to 30 minutes on the main N-15 road into the Kaghan Valley. Travel sites often say 24 to 25 km.
Is Kiwai waterfall worth stopping at?
As a break in the drive, yes: there are restaurants, trout and a chance to cool off by the water. It is not a destination to plan a special trip around.
What can you eat at Kiwai?
Trout, chicken karahi and daal at the small restaurants beside the waterfall, or tea and snacks for a quicker stop.
Is Kiwai the turn-off for Shogran?
Yes. The side road to Shogran, 7 to 8 km of steep hill road, starts at Kiwai, and most jeeps for Shogran and Siri Paye wait near the waterfall.
How long should you stop at Kiwai?
Half an hour to an hour is enough for most visitors, whether you are eating, cooling off, or simply arranging a jeep for the climb to Shogran.
