The road from Kotli to Rawalakot runs about 80 km, following the Poonch river through Tatta Pani and Mandhole before climbing into the hills around Rawalakot. It is a district link road rather than a highway: paved for most of its length but narrow and winding, so treat it as a half-day drive rather than a quick hop between two towns 80 km apart.
This guide covers the route, what the road is actually like, and the stops that make the drive worthwhile rather than just a way to get from one district to the other.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 80 km |
| Route | Kotli – Tatta Pani – Mandhole – Rawalakot |
| Road surface | Paved but narrow and winding; a fair-weather hill road in parts |
| Best months | October to March, avoiding monsoon landslip risk |
| Fuel | Fill up in Kotli; do not count on fuel between the two towns |
| Worth stopping for | Tatta Pani hot springs |
The route from Kotli to Rawalakot
The road follows the Poonch river valley out of Kotli, reaching Tatta Pani after about 26 km. From there it continues along the river toward Mandhole, a village that marks the rough halfway point of the journey, before turning away from the river and climbing through hill country into Rawalakot. Rawalakot is linked to Kotli specifically via this Mandhole–Tatta Pani corridor, which is the standard route between the two district headquarters.
An alternative approach to Tatta Pani runs via Hajeera, about 20 km away on a separate fair-weather road, but the direct Kotli–Tatta Pani–Mandhole–Rawalakot line is the one most travellers use for a through drive.
What is the road actually like?
This is a hill road, not a highway. It is paved along most of its length, but narrow, with tight bends as it follows the river and then climbs toward Rawalakot's higher ground. Sections beyond Tatta Pani, in particular, have historically been described as fair-weather roads, meaning they are more exposed to damage from monsoon rain and landslip than the main district routes.
No independent source gives a reliable minute-by-minute drive time for the full 80 km, and generic distance calculators that quote under an hour are assuming motorway-style speeds this road does not have. Budget a genuine half day for the drive with stops, and don't plan to arrive after dark, particularly beyond Tatta Pani where lighting and signage thin out.
Fuel and phone signal
Fill your tank in Kotli before setting out. Fuel stations along the route are not something to rely on, and Rawalakot's own pumps should not be your fallback plan for a half-empty tank. Mobile coverage is patchy in the river valley sections and around Tatta Pani in particular, where signal has been unreliable through 2026 amid the wider disruption to networks across Azad Kashmir; don't count on being reachable for stretches of the drive.
Worthwhile stops along the way
- Tatta Pani hot springs, about 26 km from Kotli, where naturally hot water is channelled into stone bathing pools beside the Poonch river. Our Tatta Pani hot springs guide covers the springs, facilities and current access in detail.
- The Poonch riverside generally. Much of the drive runs close to the river, and there are informal spots to pull over for a look at the water and the hills, particularly in the stretch before Mandhole.
- Mandhole, a village at roughly the midpoint, useful as a break point and a rough marker of how far you have come.
Doing it as a day trip or as through travel
Some visitors drive Kotli to Rawalakot in one direction as part of a wider loop through Azad Kashmir, rather than a there-and-back trip. If that is your plan, build in a stop at Tatta Pani on the way, since doubling back to see it afterwards adds a significant amount of driving on this kind of road.
If you are staying in Kotli and want to see Tatta Pani without going all the way to Rawalakot, our places to visit in Kotli guide covers that shorter trip, and how to combine it with Throchi Fort and the Gulpur waterfall on the same side of the district.
Is this road worth driving?
For anyone travelling between Kotli and Rawalakot anyway, yes, and the stop at Tatta Pani is reason enough on its own to take this route rather than a longer way round. The road itself, following the Poonch river through hill country, is worth the slower pace.
If you only want to see Tatta Pani and have no reason to continue to Rawalakot, there is no need to drive the whole route; treat the hot springs as a there-and-back day trip from Kotli instead and save the rest of the road for another visit.
Is it safe to travel this road right now?
This route runs through Kotli district, one of the areas of Azad Kashmir most affected by the unrest that began in June 2026, with road blockades and long communication shutdowns reported at various points through the summer. Broadband access across the district was largely restored by mid-September 2026, though restrictions on mobile data continued in some areas, including near Tatta Pani. Pakistani travellers still use this road, but check current conditions and any checkpoint advice before setting out. Our guide to safety in Azad Kashmir has the wider picture, including what current UK travel advice says about the region.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Rawalakot from Kotli?
About 80 km by road, via Tatta Pani and Mandhole. It is a hill road, so allow considerably more time than the flat-road distance suggests.
Is the Kotli to Rawalakot road paved?
Yes, for most of its length, though it is narrow and winding rather than a highway, and sections beyond Tatta Pani have historically been treated as fair-weather roads more exposed to monsoon damage.
Can I stop at Tatta Pani on the way to Rawalakot?
Yes. Tatta Pani sits about 26 km from Kotli, directly on this route, making it a natural stop rather than a detour.
Is there fuel between Kotli and Rawalakot?
Don't rely on it. Fill your tank in Kotli before setting out, since fuel stations along this stretch of road are not something to count on.
Is this road safe to drive at the moment?
Kotli district has been affected by unrest and communication shutdowns since June 2026, with some restrictions still in place in parts of the district as of September 2026. Check current conditions before travelling and follow any checkpoint instructions along the way.
