Leepa Valley is closed to ordinary visitors in winter. Snow blocks the road over Reshian Gali from around December to April, cutting the valley off from Reshian and leaving only local traffic, on foot or by tracked vehicle once the army has cleared a path. There is no realistic way to plan a winter tourist trip to Leepa.
This guide explains why the road closes, what winter actually looks like for the people who live there, and what to do if you want to see snow in Azad Kashmir without waiting for Leepa to reopen.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Closed to visitors | Roughly December to April |
| Reason | Snow over Reshian Gali, about 3,200 m, and on the lower approach roads |
| Reopens | Gradually through April and May, weather permitting |
| Who can still travel | Local residents and, in emergencies, army-assisted movement |
| Alternative winter snow trips | Nearer Muzaffarabad, Murree or the Galiyat |
Why the road closes
Leepa is reached by climbing out of Reshian, at around 1,670 metres, over the Reshian Gali crossing at about 3,200 metres, before dropping back down into the valley. That climb is the problem. Once snow settles above about 2,500 metres, which includes the forest stretch through Dao Khan and the top of the pass itself, the road becomes impassable for any vehicle without chains, and often for any vehicle at all.
Both the newer road through Dao Khan and Moji and the older jeep track over the top close for the same reason. There is no low-altitude alternative into the valley: every route in crosses high ground.
What winter is like in the valley
Residents of Leepa do not leave for winter. Villages stay occupied, and households store food, fuel and other supplies through the autumn to last until the road reopens, because deliveries from Reshian and Muzaffarabad become unreliable once heavy snow sets in. In hard winters, spells of continuous snowfall have cut the road for days at a time, leaving villages short of fresh supplies until it is cleared again.
Movement inside the valley continues on a smaller scale, mostly on foot between villages, but travel out over the pass is not attempted casually. When people do need to reach Reshian or Muzaffarabad in winter, it usually means waiting for a break in the weather or for the army, which maintains a presence along this Line of Control valley, to help clear or escort a route.
Can you visit Leepa in winter at all?
Not as a normal tourist trip. There is no scheduled transport, no jeep hire at Reshian once the road is blocked, and nowhere reliably open to stay. Even where local traffic resumes for short periods in late winter, it is typically limited to 4x4 vehicles with chains, driven by people who know the road, and it is not something a visiting family should try to join.
If you are set on seeing Leepa specifically, plan for the open season instead. Our guide to the best time to visit Leepa Valley covers how May, the summer months and the October harvest each look, and our guide to reaching Leepa Valley sets out the drive once the road is open.
When does it reopen?
There is no fixed date. The road reopens gradually through spring as the snow melts and the authorities clear it, typically some time in April or May, but this moves with the winter and cannot be predicted far in advance. Early in the season, only 4x4s are usually allowed over the crossing until it has been properly cleared, so even a May visit can mean travelling on a road still recovering from winter. Ask in Muzaffarabad or Hattian Bala close to your travel date rather than relying on any date printed online, including this one.
If you want snow in Azad Kashmir this winter
Leepa is not the place for it. Closer to Muzaffarabad, and in the wider Murree and Galiyat hills, snow is far easier to reach in winter, with open roads, working hotels and none of the access problems that close Leepa for months at a time. Our when to go guide covers snow season across the north more broadly, and our travel guide has more on winter road conditions generally.
Is it worth planning around?
No. Waiting out a winter closure to see Leepa is not a realistic plan, and the valley offers nothing extra in winter that it does not offer more safely and accessibly between May and November. If snow scenery is what you are after, choose a destination that stays open through the season. If Leepa itself is what you want, June to October, when the rice terraces are green or turning gold, is when to go.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leepa Valley open in winter?
No. The road over Reshian Gali is closed by snow from roughly December to April, and there is no way for ordinary visitors to reach the valley during that period.
Can a 4x4 reach Leepa Valley in winter?
Not reliably. Even where the army or local authorities open the road for short periods, it is for essential local traffic, not visiting tourists, and conditions can close it again with little warning.
What do Leepa Valley residents do in winter?
They stay in the valley and rely on food and fuel stocked before the snow sets in, since the road to Reshian and Muzaffarabad becomes unreliable or impassable for long stretches.
When does the road to Leepa Valley reopen?
Usually some time in April or May, but the exact date depends on that year's snowfall and how quickly the road can be cleared. Check locally before travelling.
Is Leepa Valley safe to visit once the road reopens?
Pakistani visitors travel to Leepa every season once the road is open, but it sits close to the Line of Control and Azad Kashmir has seen unrest since June 2026. As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which covers most of Leepa, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir. Check current news and local police advice before you go, and note that travelling against your own government's advice can void your travel insurance.