Kohala Bridge crosses the Jhelum river at Kohala, about 38 km north of Murree and 35 km south of Muzaffarabad, and it is the point where the road from Punjab actually enters Azad Kashmir. Almost everyone driving from Islamabad or Lahore to Muzaffarabad and the Neelum Valley crosses here, whether they notice it or not. This guide covers the bridge's history, the checkpoint on the AJK side, and the riverside stops around it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Crosses | The Jhelum river |
| Distance from Murree | About 38 km |
| Distance from Muzaffarabad | About 35 km |
| Road | Part of the Murree Expressway (E75) route |
| What happens here | A checkpoint into Azad Kashmir; carry your CNIC |
| Nearby | Roadside dhabas on both banks |
Why there is a bridge at Kohala at all
Kohala sits at a natural crossing point on the Jhelum, on one of the main land routes between Punjab and Kashmir. In earlier centuries it was a stopping point for caravans travelling to and from Kashmir, where pack animals were rested before or after the river crossing, and it was also known as a site of Hindu pilgrimage before Partition.
A bridge here has existed, in one form or another, since the late 19th century, and it has had a difficult relationship with the river. The first bridge, built in 1877, was destroyed by flooding in 1890. A replacement, a transportable steel bridge put up in 1899, lasted about ninety years before it too was swept away in a flood in 1990. The bridge in use today dates from 1993, built a little upstream on the edge of Birot Kalan in Abbottabad district. That history is worth keeping in mind if you are crossing during the monsoon: this is a river that has taken bridges down before.
The crossing today
The bridge now carries the Murree Expressway (E75) over the Jhelum, on the main route that most cars, coasters and vans use between Islamabad and Muzaffarabad. It is a two-lane crossing, and on the Azad Kashmir side there is a checkpoint where you may be asked to show identification. Pakistani travellers should carry a CNIC; foreign nationals should carry a passport and visa and check current entry requirements for the areas they plan to visit beyond Muzaffarabad.
Traffic at Kohala can back up at the checkpoint on busy days, particularly around Eid and summer weekends when the whole Murree–Muzaffarabad road is heavier. Give yourself extra time on those dates rather than assuming a clear run through.
Riverside stops at Kohala
The stretch of road on both sides of the bridge has long been a natural place to stop. Dhabas and small roadside restaurants sit above the riverbank on the approach from both the Punjab and Azad Kashmir sides, serving simple food, tea and cold drinks to travellers breaking the journey. None of them are destinations in their own right; they are working stops for a drive that still has mountain roads ahead of it, useful for stretching your legs and getting a hot meal before the climb up to Muzaffarabad or back over the Murree hills.
If you are travelling with children or anyone prone to travel sickness, Kohala is a sensible place to pause, since the road on either side involves a long run of bends.
Traffic tips for the Kohala crossing
- Leave early. An early start from Islamabad or Murree gets you through Kohala before the traffic builds later in the day.
- Expect a slower crossing on holidays. Eid, long weekends and summer Fridays and Saturdays bring the heaviest queues at the checkpoint.
- Fill up before you reach it if you are running low, since fuel stops are more reliable in Murree or on the approach than right at the bridge itself.
- Keep your CNIC or passport accessible, rather than packed away, so the checkpoint does not add delay.
- Check the weather in the monsoon. Heavy rain upstream can affect river levels and, on occasion, the road on the approach to the bridge.
Is Kohala worth stopping for on its own?
Not as a destination, but as a waypoint, yes. It marks the real start of Azad Kashmir for anyone driving up from Punjab, and a short stop for tea or lunch at one of the dhabas is a sensible break in a drive that runs three and a half hours or more each way. For what to do once you are through, see our guide to places to visit in Muzaffarabad, and for the wider region, our Kashmir destination page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kohala Bridge?
It crosses the Jhelum river at Kohala, about 38 km north of Murree and 35 km south of Muzaffarabad, on the road that links Punjab to Azad Kashmir.
Do you need ID to cross Kohala Bridge?
Yes. There is a checkpoint on the Azad Kashmir side. Pakistani travellers should carry their CNIC, and foreign nationals their passport and visa.
Has Kohala Bridge been destroyed by floods before?
Yes, twice. A bridge built in 1877 was destroyed by flooding in 1890, and its 1899 replacement was swept away in a 1990 flood. The current bridge dates from 1993.
Is there anywhere to eat at Kohala?
Yes. Roadside dhabas sit above the riverbank on both sides of the bridge, offering simple food, tea and cold drinks for travellers breaking the journey.
Is the road through Kohala to Muzaffarabad safe?
The road and checkpoint are used daily and are not themselves a safety concern. As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all but essential travel to Azad Kashmir generally, and against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control further into the territory. Check current advice and local conditions, particularly around monsoon landslides, before you travel.
