Azad Kashmir's meadows range from a grassy hilltop you can drive to in a jeep, to alpine pasture that takes a half-day hike to reach. Toli Pir, Arang Kel, Ganga Choti, Ratti Gali, Baboon and Bedori cover that whole range, and picking the right one matters more than picking the prettiest photo online.
This guide ranks them from least to most effort, with the altitude, access and season for each.
| Meadow | Altitude | Effort | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toli Pir | About 2,743 m | Drive up; no hike needed | April–August |
| Arang Kel | About 2,554 m | Short hike or chairlift | May–October |
| Ganga Choti | About 3,045 m | 3–4 hour hike | June–September |
| Ratti Gali | About 3,700 m | Jeep plus 2-hour trek | June–September |
| Baboon | About 3,871 m (12,700 ft) | Jeep plus 2–3 hour hike | June–August |
| Bedori | About 3,727 m (12,229 ft) | Long hike beyond Neel Fari | June–August |
Toli Pir: the meadow you can drive to
Toli Pir sits above Rawalakot at roughly 2,700 metres and is the meadow that needs the least effort of the six. A road runs most of the way up from Rawalakot, about 30 km and around two hours, though it's narrow, steep and rough in places, so a capable driver matters more than fitness. Once there, it's flat walking across open grassland with views over the Pir Panjal range. It closes to vehicles once snow arrives, so it's a summer trip only.
Arang Kel: short hike, big payoff
Above Kel in the Neelum Valley, Arang Kel is reached by a steep but short hike of one and a half to two and a half hours, or a seasonal chairlift followed by a shorter walk. It's the most accessible meadow on this list that still requires you to walk to it, with wooden houses set among open pasture and forest below.
Ganga Choti: a proper half-day hike
Ganga Choti, above Bagh, sits at about 3,045 metres and takes three to four hours to climb from Sudhan Gali, a small town at around 2,200 metres. The trail is a steady, non-technical climb rather than a scramble, so reasonable fitness is enough. It's one of the few meadows here where you both hike and get a wide mountain view from the top.
Ratti Gali: alpine meadow around a glacial lake
Ratti Gali combines meadow and lake at around 3,700 metres in the Neelum Valley. From Doarian, jeeps cover about 16 km of the 18 km route to a base camp, leaving a two-hour trek to the lake itself. The difficulty is mostly the altitude rather than the terrain, and horses are available for those who don't want to walk the last stretch. June to September is the only realistic window; the trail is under snow for the rest of the year.
Baboon: the long way in
Baboon Meadows, on the upper side of Keran and the Jagran valley, sits at around 3,871 metres and is one of the harder meadows to reach. The road is paved as far as Kutton or Kundal Shahi, then a three-hour jeep ride over rough track reaches Kunian village, followed by a further two to three hour hike to Baboon Top. It's a full-day undertaking, best suited to fitter groups who don't mind a long jeep ride before the walking even starts.
Bedori: the highest and hardest of the six
Bedori Top, above the Neel Fari meadow in Forward Kahuta, is around 3,727 metres and the most demanding on this list. The approach follows the same route as the Neel Fari walk from Bashan, then continues well beyond it to the higher pasture near the peak. There is an army post at the top, so carry an original CNIC. Treat it as a long day for a fit, well-prepared group rather than a casual outing.
Which meadow suits you?
Families and first-timers do best at Toli Pir or Arang Kel, where the effort is low and the views come quickly. Ganga Choti suits couples and groups of friends who want a proper hike without needing trekking gear. Ratti Gali is worth the jeep ride if a lake matters more to you than solitude. Baboon and Bedori are for fitter groups prepared for a long day, rough jeep tracks and cooler, thinner air at the top.
All six are summer destinations. None of them are realistic outside roughly May to October, and the higher ones are really only open June to August. For the wider picture on when to go, see our Kashmir destination guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which meadow in Azad Kashmir needs the least effort?
Toli Pir, since a road goes most of the way up and no hiking is required once you arrive, though the access road itself is steep and needs a careful driver.
Is Ratti Gali a meadow or a lake?
Both. The trek passes through open alpine meadow before reaching the glacial lake, and most visitors treat the meadow and the lake as one destination.
Can beginners hike to Baboon or Bedori?
Both are demanding: long jeep rides followed by two to three hour hikes at altitude. They suit fit, experienced walkers more than first-time hikers or families with young children.
When do these meadows open for the season?
The lower ones, Toli Pir and Arang Kel, are accessible from around May. The higher meadows, Ratti Gali, Baboon and Bedori, are realistically open only June to August or September, once the trails clear of snow.
Do I need a guide to reach Baboon or Bedori?
A local guide is strongly recommended for both. The jeep tracks and trails are not well signed, and a guide who knows the route saves time and reduces the risk of getting lost at altitude.
Is Azad Kashmir safe for overseas visitors?
Pakistani tourists visit every year, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir. The 2026 protests there also brought road blockades and long internet shutdowns. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, because travelling against it can void your insurance. Everyone should check local news and current police advice before setting out.
