The road from Naran to Chilas crosses Babusar Pass (4,173 metres) and is one of two ways into Gilgit-Baltistan from the south. Published distances range from roughly 115 km to 155 km for the whole run, so plan on about five to six hours of driving with stops, in summer only, as the pass is shut by snow for around half the year.
This guide covers the distance, the time it takes, the state of the road, when it is open and how to get across without your own car. It doesn't repeat our detailed notes on the pass itself, which are in the Babusar Pass guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 115 to 155 km; sources disagree |
| Naran to Babusar Top | About 65 to 75 km, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Babusar Top to Chilas | About 50 to 80 km, roughly 1 to 3 hours |
| Highest point | Babusar Pass, 4,173 m |
| Surface | Paved, with tight switchbacks and some rough patches |
| Open | Late May or June to about September or October, weather permitting |
| Fuel | Fill up in Naran; Chilas is the next reliable stop |
How far is Naran from Chilas?
There is no single agreed figure. One travel guide gives about 75 km from Naran to the top and about 80 km down to Chilas. The Gilgit-Baltistan tourism department's district map gives the descent as roughly 50 km from Chilas, and another source has Naran to the top at 65 km. Put together, anywhere from about 115 to 155 km is defensible.
Treat kilometres as approximate. Time is what matters on this road, because the climb and the descent are both slow.
How long does the drive take?
Operators and travel guides give roughly two to two and a half hours from Naran to Babusar Top and one to three hours down to Chilas. A comfortable plan is five to six hours including a stop at the top, Lulusar Lake and a meal.
Start from Naran by about 7 in the morning. Cloud and rain build in the afternoon at height, and reports say the road is open for daylight travel only. A Dawn report on the 2025 reopening described checkpoints at Babusar Top and a mobile signal restored there.
The pass also saves a lot of time on a longer journey. Dawn reported in 2025 that Diamer to Mansehra takes about seven hours over Babusar against about 14 by the Karakoram Highway.
Is the road paved, and can a normal car do it?
The route is paved in season. It has tight hairpins on the descent to Chilas, rough patches after snowmelt, and a new road under construction between Naran and the pass, so short closures can happen even when it is open. Many people drive it in sedans. A higher, stronger vehicle is more comfortable, and brakes matter more than anything: brake failure is the commonest cause of accidents on the descent.
Use a low gear downhill, don't ride the brakes, and let the engine hold you back. Our page on whether a car can go to Babusar Top covers this in more depth.
When is the road open?
The pass closes with the first heavy snow, and in 2025 it was closed for winter in November. In 2025, snow clearance ended and the road reopened on 23 May after seven months. Guides describe mid-May to mid-October as the usual range, with June to September the most reliable. In 2026 it reopened on about 27 May, according to a travel update, and we could not verify how the season is running now.
Dates change every year, and the road can close again after landslides or snowfall. Check with the NHA, the district administration or your hotel in Naran the day before. Our note on Babusar Top: open or closed explains where to look.
How to get from Naran to Chilas without a car
We found no reliable public timetable for the pass. The usual choices are:
- A hired jeep or car with a driver from Naran. The most common arrangement, and it is negotiated locally. Agree the price and the drop-off point before you leave.
- Shared or long-distance transport at Naran or Chilas. Availability varies by season, so ask at your hotel.
- Your own vehicle. Fine in season if the driver is confident on mountain roads.
Chilas has hotels if you need a night before heading on to Gilgit or towards Fairy Meadows via Raikot Bridge, as covered on our Fairy Meadows page.
Safety on this route
Crossing Babusar is how many travellers avoid the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, which the UK government advises against travelling on. Chilas itself sits at the end of that stretch, so a trip that continues from Chilas back to Islamabad by the Highway falls under the same advice. Foreign-passport holders should check their own government's advice, as it can void insurance.
Pakistani visitors do use the pass in summer. Check local news for the day, avoid driving after dark, and travel in daylight.
Is it worth taking this route?
Yes, if you are already heading north in summer and the road is open. It is shorter than the Highway, the scenery changes sharply and it goes past Lulusar Lake. It doesn't suit nervous drivers, anyone prone to altitude trouble, or a tight schedule with no spare day, since weather can close the top.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Naran from Chilas?
Roughly 115 to 155 km, depending on the source, over Babusar Pass.
How long does it take to drive from Naran to Chilas?
About five to six hours with stops. Driving alone is roughly two to two and a half hours up and one to three hours down.
Is the Naran to Chilas road open in winter?
No. Babusar Pass closes with heavy snow, usually from about November until mid-May or later.
Can a normal car drive from Naran to Chilas?
In summer, many do. The road is paved, but the hairpins and rough patches call for good brakes and a careful driver.
Is there a bus from Naran to Chilas?
We found no reliable public timetable. Ask at your Naran hotel about jeeps and shared transport.
