Muzaffarabad to Rawalakot is about 110 km by road, whichever of the two main routes you take: south along the Jhelum to Kohala and then up through Dhirkot, or east over the hills via Sudhan Gali and Bagh. Plan on roughly three to four and a half hours of driving, more with stops or in winter. Both are paved mountain roads that a normal car can manage in dry weather.
This guide compares the two routes, explains what the road is like, how to do the trip without your own car, and what to check about safety before you go in 2026.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 110 km by either route |
| Drive time | Roughly 3 to 4.5 hours without long stops |
| Route 1 | Muzaffarabad, Kohala, Dhirkot, Arja, Rawalakot |
| Route 2 | Muzaffarabad, Sudhan Gali, Bagh, Arja, Rawalakot |
| Highest point | Sudhan Gali, about 2,100 m, on route 2 |
| Altitudes | Muzaffarabad 737 m, Rawalakot 1,638 m |
| Best months | April to June and September to November |
How far is Muzaffarabad from Rawalakot?
Measured on OpenStreetMap routing, the Kohala route is about 110 km: some 40 km south from Muzaffarabad to Kohala, then about 70 km on the Kohala to Bagh road through Dhirkot and Arja to Rawalakot. The Sudhan Gali route comes out almost the same, at about 110 km: around 56 km from Muzaffarabad to Sudhan Gali, 21 km down to Bagh, and about 33 km from Bagh via Arja to Rawalakot.
So the choice is not about distance. It is about which road is in better shape that week, whether there is snow on the higher pass, and whether you want to stop in Bagh or Dhirkot on the way.
How long does the drive take?
Routing apps suggest well under two hours. Don't plan around that. Both roads climb and twist for most of their length, pass through busy bazaars, and share space with trucks, wagons and livestock. On roads like these in Azad Kashmir, 25 to 35 km an hour is a realistic average, which puts the drive at about three to four and a half hours.
Add time for:
- Bazaar traffic in Muzaffarabad, Kohala, Bagh and at Rawalakot's own entrance, especially around midday.
- Roadworks and landslide clearance, which are common after heavy rain.
- Winter, when snow and ice on the higher sections slow everything down.
Leave Muzaffarabad by mid-morning at the latest, so you arrive in daylight.
Route 1: via Kohala and Dhirkot
This is the lower and more straightforward of the two. You follow the Jhelum south from Muzaffarabad on the Kohala road, then at Kohala, without crossing the Kohala bridge, turn east on to the road that climbs to Dhirkot, at about 1,676 metres. Beyond Dhirkot the road continues through pine-covered hills to Arja and then up to Rawalakot.
The Kohala to Dhirkot road is the main link between Muzaffarabad and Islamabad on one side and the districts of Bagh, Poonch, Haveli and Sudhnoti on the other, so it carries steady traffic. It is the safer choice in winter and the one to take if you are unsure of conditions higher up. Dhirkot makes a good tea and lunch stop roughly halfway.
Route 2: via Sudhan Gali and Bagh
This route leaves Muzaffarabad to the south-east and climbs to Sudhan Gali, a hill settlement at about 2,100 metres on the main road between Muzaffarabad and Bagh. From there it drops to Bagh town, then runs south via Arja to Rawalakot.
It is the more scenic drive, with long views from the top, and it suits travellers who want to break the journey with a night at Sudhan Gali or a look at Bagh. It is also the higher road. Sudhan Gali gets heavy snow in winter, so between about December and February check in Muzaffarabad whether the pass is clear before you commit; if in doubt, take the Kohala route.
What is the road like?
Both routes are paved, single carriageway mountain roads. Expect:
- Sharp bends and steep gradients, with few places to overtake safely.
- Patches of broken surface where landslides or water have damaged the road. Conditions vary from season to season.
- Monsoon risk from July to early September, when heavy rain brings slips and temporary closures.
- Ice in winter on shaded bends, especially on the Sudhan Gali side.
A normal sedan is fine in dry weather if the brakes and tyres are good. In winter or after heavy rain, a higher car and an experienced hill driver make the trip much easier. Our guide to Islamabad to Rawalakot covers the Kohala to Dhirkot stretch in more detail from the other direction.
Can you do it without your own car?
Yes, though with less certainty than on the main Islamabad routes. Muzaffarabad's transport within the city is by bus, rickshaw and pickup, and public wagons connect the district towns of Azad Kashmir. We could not confirm a current timetable for a direct Muzaffarabad to Rawalakot service, so ask at the Muzaffarabad bus stand the evening before; changing in Bagh or at Kohala is a common fallback.
The simplest option for families is a hired car with a local driver from Muzaffarabad, agreed as a one-way fare. Settle the price before you set off, and confirm whether it includes the driver's return.
Is it safe to travel to Rawalakot now?
Pakistani visitors do travel this route, but 2026 has been a difficult year in Azad Kashmir. The Joint Awami Action Committee protests that began in June 2026 were the deadliest unrest there in years, with at least 24 dead in the first two weeks and over 50 by rights groups' later counts. Rawalakot was one of the centres of the protests. The AJK government asked tourists to stay away from 5 to 20 June, and internet and phone shutdowns lasted more than 50 days by August, with restrictions reported into September. As of early October 2026 the protest movement had not formally ended.
Before you set off:
- Check local news and ask your hotel in Rawalakot whether roads and markets are open.
- Carry cash and offline maps, because a shutdown can stop mobile data and card payments without warning.
- Keep your CNIC on you for police checkposts.
Overseas visitors should know that the UK government advises against all but essential travel to Azad Kashmir and against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control. Parts of Poonch division lie close to the LoC, and ignoring such advice can void travel insurance, so check your own government's current advice. Our guide to whether Azad Kashmir is safe to travel has more.
Which route should you choose?
- Choose Kohala and Dhirkot in winter, after heavy snow or rain, or if you want the lower, busier road with more services.
- Choose Sudhan Gali and Bagh from April to November in clear weather, if you want the views or a night at Sudhan Gali.
- Go one way and return the other if you are making a loop and have the time.
Once in Rawalakot, our guide to places to visit in Rawalakot covers Banjosa Lake, Toli Pir and the town itself. For the wider region, see our Kashmir page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the distance from Muzaffarabad to Rawalakot?
About 110 km by road. Both the Kohala and Dhirkot route and the Sudhan Gali and Bagh route come out at roughly the same distance.
How long does it take to drive from Muzaffarabad to Rawalakot?
Allow about three to four and a half hours of driving. Routing apps show less, but mountain bends, bazaars and roadworks slow the real average.
Which is the best road from Muzaffarabad to Rawalakot?
In winter or bad weather, the lower Kohala and Dhirkot road. In clear weather from spring to autumn, the Sudhan Gali and Bagh road is the more scenic choice.
Is the Sudhan Gali road open in winter?
Sudhan Gali sits at about 2,100 metres and gets heavy snow, so the road can be slow or blocked in mid-winter. Ask in Muzaffarabad before you set off and use the Kohala route if there is any doubt.
Is there public transport from Muzaffarabad to Rawalakot?
Public wagons link the towns of Azad Kashmir, but we could not confirm a current direct timetable. Ask at the Muzaffarabad bus stand the day before, or hire a car and driver.
Is it safe to go to Rawalakot in 2026?
Visitors do go, but Rawalakot was a centre of the 2026 protests, with deaths and long internet shutdowns. Check local news and with your hotel before travelling.
