The best-known forts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are Bala Hisar in Peshawar, Jamrud Fort at the mouth of the Khyber Pass, Ali Masjid above the pass, and Chitral Fort on the river in the Hindu Kush. The catch is access. Most of them are still in use, so they are places to see from outside, or to enter only when a gate is open, rather than heritage sites with fixed hours and a ticket desk.
This guide says what each fort is, who holds it now, and what a visitor can realistically do. If you want forts you can walk through freely, our list of the best forts in Pakistan covers Rohtas and others in Punjab.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Bala Hisar, Peshawar | Frontier Corps headquarters; limited visitor days reported |
| Jamrud Fort | Military installation; not open to the public |
| Ali Masjid Fort | British-era fort on a cliff near Landi Kotal, Khyber Pass |
| Chitral Fort | Residence of the ceremonial Mehtar; visits need local enquiry |
| Safety | UK advises against all travel to Peshawar, Khyber and Chitral city road N45 |
Bala Hisar, Peshawar
Bala Hisar is the fort everyone means. It stands on a mound on the eastern side of Peshawar, opposite Jinnah Park on GT Road, and covers about 15 acres. The site is very old; the present walls are largely later. The Sikh Empire took it in 1823, and the British rebuilt the outer walls in 1849. The Durrani rulers used it as a royal residence from the 1770s.
Today it is the headquarters of the Frontier Corps, so it is not a normal tourist site. In the past the fort has opened to visitors on weekends, reportedly Saturdays for families and Sundays for everyone, with a CNIC required and a small Frontier Corps museum inside. Reports on whether that is running now conflict, and access was suspended during Covid. Treat any weekend opening as unconfirmed, and ask locally in Peshawar the week you go rather than turning up. Our Bala Hisar guide has more of the history.
Jamrud Fort
Jamrud Fort sits beside Bab-e-Khyber, the eastern entrance to the Khyber Pass, in Khyber district. The Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa built it in 1836, and his death in a battle here in 1837 is the reason it is remembered. The walls are about three metres thick, and the fort is intact.
It is controlled by the army and is not open to the public. You can see it from the road, and that is the honest limit of a visit. Khyber district is on the UK's advise-against-all-travel list, so it is not somewhere we would suggest planning a stop. See also Jamrud Fort.
Ali Masjid Fort
Ali Masjid is a British-era fort on a high rocky cliff near Landi Kotal in the Khyber Pass, built to watch the trade route through the mountains. It belongs to the same Khyber district, with the same access and safety limits. It is included here because it appears on every list of KP's forts, not because we suggest travelling to it.
Chitral Fort
Chitral Fort is the one most visitors to the north will see. It stands on the bank of the Chitral river in Lower Chitral, and was built in 1774 in the time of Mohtaram Shah Katur II, then restored in 1911. It is known for its wooden architecture and its role in the 1895 siege, when British forces were trapped inside.
The fort is still the residence of the ceremonial Mehtar, who has been restoring rooms damaged in the 2015 earthquake, so entry is at the family's discretion. The view from the polo ground and river bank across to the fort is easy; going inside needs enquiry in town. Our Chitral Fort page covers the town and the neighbouring Shahi Mosque.
Is it safe to visit forts in KPK?
Not evenly. The UK government's Pakistan advice (updated 22 September 2026) advises against all travel to Peshawar, Khyber, and Chitral via the N45 from Mardan, and against all travel to Swat and both Dir districts. In 2026 there have been serious attacks in the region, including at Kohat Police Lines on 18 September (23 killed).
Pakistani travellers do visit Peshawar, and forts in a city centre are usually a short stop within a day trip, but check local news and current police advice before setting out, and carry your CNIC. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice: it may say not to go, and travelling against it can void your insurance. See is Peshawar safe.
Are the forts worth going out of your way for?
Not on their own. Bala Hisar and Jamrud are largely seen from outside, and access can change without notice. Chitral Fort is worth a look if you are already in Chitral. For a fort you can enter, walk and photograph without asking anyone, go to Rohtas in Punjab, or to the forts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Peshawar's museum and old city are usually a better use of a day in the city; our travel guide has planning basics.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most famous fort in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
Bala Hisar in Peshawar. It has been a royal residence and a garrison for centuries and is still Frontier Corps headquarters.
Can tourists enter Bala Hisar Fort?
Historically on weekends only, with a CNIC, but reports conflict about whether this is currently open. Ask locally before you go.
Is Jamrud Fort open to visitors?
No. It is a military installation, and Khyber district is under UK advice against all travel.
Can you visit Chitral Fort?
You can see it from the river and polo ground. Going inside depends on the Mehtar's household, so ask in Chitral.
Who built Jamrud Fort?
The Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa, in 1836.
