KKH Kohistan road condition between Besham and Dasu is the thing to check before you drive north: this is the narrowest, slowest and least predictable section of the road north from Hazara to Gilgit-Baltistan. It runs through steep gorge country prone to landslides and flash floods, it is currently a live construction zone as a new realigned road is built around the Dasu dam reservoir, and it is a stretch the UK government advises against travelling on entirely. Anyone driving north on the KKH needs to know what this section actually involves before setting out.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Route | N-35, Besham to Dasu, Upper and Lower Kohistan |
| Road type | Two-lane mountain road, partly under reconstruction |
| Main hazards | Landslides, flash floods, rockfall, narrow blind curves |
| Alternative | Babusar (N-15) route avoids this stretch in summer |
| UK advice | Advises against all travel on this stretch |
What the road is like
Between Besham and Dasu the KKH runs through a tight gorge cut by the Indus, with the road carved into the hillside and the river close below. It is narrower than the highway further south around Mansehra and Abbottabad, with frequent blind curves, sections without a proper shoulder, and stretches shared with heavy construction traffic. Drivers who are used to the wider, more settled road through Hazara should expect a noticeably slower, more demanding drive here, with average speeds well below what the distance alone would suggest.
Why the road is being rebuilt
The existing road through this stretch will eventually be submerged once the reservoir behind the Dasu hydropower dam fills, so a new realigned section of the Karakoram Highway is under construction to replace it. The new route runs roughly 62 km from Kamila Bazaar to Summer Nullah in Upper Kohistan and is being built with around 15 tunnels and nine arch bridges specifically to avoid the dangerous curves and landslide-prone slopes of the current road, connecting to the Hazara Expressway at Thakot. Completion has been targeted for 2026, though large infrastructure projects on this terrain commonly run behind schedule, and construction traffic, diversions and partial closures should be expected on and off for the foreseeable future.
Landslides, floods and closures
This stretch floods and slides more than almost any other part of the KKH. In May 2026, for example, days of heavy rain triggered landslides and overflowing hill torrents across multiple points in Lower Kohistan, killing one person, injuring dozens and damaging more than 20 vehicles; authorities imposed a complete ban on traffic beyond Besham towards Lower Kohistan while the National Highway Authority and Frontier Works Organisation cleared the debris. Closures of this kind happen most often during the monsoon (roughly July to September) and can also follow heavy winter snow or spring melt. Before travelling, check current road status with the National Highway Authority or local transport operators rather than assuming the road is clear.
Practical driving notes
- Fuel up before Besham. Stations become less frequent and less reliable through the Kohistan stretch.
- Avoid driving after dark. Poor lighting, construction diversions and the risk of rockfall make this section considerably more dangerous at night.
- Build in slack time. Don't schedule a same-day onward flight or tight itinerary around this stretch; a single closure can hold traffic for many hours.
- Keep to a realistic pace. The road rewards a slow, attentive driver far more than a fast one, given the blind curves and shared construction traffic.
Is it safe? What to know before you go
Beyond the road conditions, this specific stretch carries a security dimension that other parts of the Karakoram Highway do not. The area has twice seen suicide attacks on convoys of Chinese engineers working on the Dasu hydropower project, in 2021 and again in March 2024 near Besham, which killed several Chinese nationals and their driver. Security around the project has been increased since, and Pakistani travellers continue to use this road regularly. Even so, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas via Battagram, Besham, Dasu and Sazin, up to its junction with the N-15. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's current advice before travelling this stretch, since going against it can void travel insurance. Whichever passport you hold, check recent local news and current security guidance before setting out, and don't treat this as a route to take lightly or at night.
For most travellers heading to Gilgit-Baltistan in summer, the practical alternative is the Babusar (N-15) route via Naran and Chilas, which bypasses this section of the KKH entirely while it is open, typically from around June to October depending on snow. Our travel guide has more on choosing between routes north.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Karakoram Highway through Kohistan open right now?
It is generally open but subject to closures from landslides, flooding and construction, especially in the monsoon months. Check current status with the National Highway Authority or local operators before travelling.
Can I avoid this stretch of the KKH entirely?
Yes, in summer. The Babusar Pass (N-15) route via Naran and Chilas bypasses Besham and Dasu, though it is itself closed by snow for much of the year, typically outside roughly June to October.
Why is a new road being built through this area?
The existing KKH will be submerged once the reservoir behind the Dasu dam fills, so a realigned section with tunnels and bridges is being built to replace it, expected to be complete around 2026.
Is it safe to drive through Besham and Dasu?
Pakistani travellers use this road regularly, but the area has seen attacks on Chinese workers linked to the Dasu hydropower project, and the UK government advises against all travel here. Check current advice and local news before you go.
How long does the Besham to Dasu stretch take to drive?
There is no reliable fixed time, since it depends heavily on construction traffic and road conditions on the day. Build in significant extra time rather than assuming a normal-road pace.
