Soon Valley is roughly 320 km from Lahore by Wikipedia's figure, and another guide gives about 295 km to Naushera, so plan on 290 to 320 km depending on where in the valley you stop. Reaching Khabeki Lake takes roughly five to six hours by car according to one local guide, using the M2 motorway and then the Khushab and Sakesar roads. That makes it a comfortable overnight, not an easy day trip.
This page is about the drive. For what to see once you arrive, use our Soon Valley guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | Roughly 290 to 320 km (sources differ) |
| Drive time | About 5 to 6 hours to Khabeki Lake |
| Main road | M2 motorway, then Khushab road |
| Exits used | Kallar Kahar (usual), Balkasar |
| Lilla interchange | Closer to Khewra; some guides use it for the exit home |
| Fuel | Fill up on the motorway |
The route
Leave Lahore on the M2 towards Islamabad. Guides advise leaving at the Kallar Kahar interchange, and one describes Lilla as the recommended exit on the return, which also puts you near the Khewra salt mine, about 29 km from Lilla. From the Kallar Kahar side, Naushera is roughly 68 km on Wikipedia's figure.
One published guide quotes about 240 km and about four hours for Lahore to Khushab by Kallar Kahar. Another gives Kallar Kahar from Lahore as about 247 km. The numbers do not agree because they measure different endpoints, so use them as a range and trust your navigation app on the day.
Beyond the exit, drivers reach the valley by roads described as the Mianwali road with the Quaidabad to Sakesar road, or the Khushab to Sakesar road. If you are heading for the Amb temples, our Amb Sharif guide explains the approach.
Stages and timing
- Lahore to the exit. About two and a half hours to Kallar Kahar by one distance calculator's figure, at normal motorway speed. Use the service areas rather than stopping at the roadside; see our best rest areas on Pakistan's motorways and our Lahore to Islamabad motorway guide.
- Kallar Kahar. A natural place to stretch your legs. See our Kallar Kahar guide.
- Into the valley. About two further hours to reach Khabeki Lake from the exit, per one guide. Roads here are slower than the motorway.
- Your first lake. Uchali is the usual first stop from this side. See Uchali Lake.
An early start matters. Leaving Lahore at 6 or 7 am gets you into the valley by early afternoon, which leaves daylight for one lake. A day trip from Lahore would leave very little time at the sights and a long drive home after dark, so we recommend at least one night. Our 2-day itinerary shows a way to use it.
Fuel, tolls and stops
Fill up on the motorway before the exit. Motorway tolls depend on vehicle class and change, so check current rates and carry cash or a working tag. Beyond the exit, assume tea and snacks, not full meals, outside the main towns.
An alternative: via Sargodha
Wikipedia gives Sargodha as about 120 km from Soon Valley, and the valley can be entered from the Sargodha side as well as from the motorway. For most Lahore drivers the M2 is still the simpler choice because it is a controlled-access road with service areas, while the Sargodha approach uses ordinary highways through towns. If you want to try it, for example to make a loop and come home a different way, check the current road and traffic with a navigation app before you leave, and do not plan the loop for your first trip.
Making the drive part of the trip
The long drive from Lahore is easier if you break it. There are three sensible places to do so.
- Kallar Kahar, the first real stop after the exit, with a lake and gardens. Our Kallar Kahar guide covers it.
- Khewra salt mine, reached from the Lilla interchange. It adds time but gives a reason to come home by a different exit. See our guide on how to reach Khewra.
- A night at Khabeki or Naushera, which turns the drive into a trip. See where to stay in Soon Valley.
Driving home
Leaving the valley at midday gets you onto the motorway by mid-afternoon and back in Lahore by evening, allowing for the five to six hours the outward journey took. Leaving after sunset means the hill roads in the dark, which we advise against. Check that your tank is full before the motorway slip road, and keep the same fuel and tyre habits you would on any long motorway run.
Is it worth the drive from Lahore?
Yes if you are staying at least a night and want lakes and hills that are different from the northern valleys. No if you only have a day: Kallar Kahar and the Khewra salt mine are closer and make a better day out. See our Khewra and Katas Raj day trip for that option.
What to carry
- Fuel and tyre check before leaving
- Cash for tolls and village shops
- Offline maps, because mobile signal drops in the hills
- Water and snacks for the leg after the exit
- A power bank and warm layers in winter
For the route from the capital instead, see Islamabad to Soon Valley.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Soon Valley from Lahore?
Roughly 290 to 320 km depending on the stop. Wikipedia gives 320 km and another guide gives about 295 km to Naushera.
How long does it take?
About five to six hours to Khabeki Lake in one local guide, and about four hours to Khushab by another. Allow for stops.
Which exit do I take from the M2?
Kallar Kahar is the one most guides recommend. Lilla is mentioned as an exit for the way home, particularly if you are visiting Khewra.
Can I do it as a day trip?
Technically yes, but you would spend most of the day driving. One night is much better.
Is there public transport?
Buses run to Khushab, but nothing links the lakes and sights, so you need your own car or a hired one.
