Azad Kashmir's main sights, Neelum valley, Ratti Gali and Banjosa Lake, get busy through the summer. For genuinely offbeat places in Azad Kashmir, a handful of valleys and lakes sit further off the main road, reached by jeep track or on foot, and see a fraction of the traffic. This guide covers five of them: Leepa valley, Neel Fari Lake, Baboon Valley, Patlian Lake and Bedori Peak.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Easiest to reach | Leepa valley, by road from Muzaffarabad |
| Furthest off the road | Bedori Peak, on foot from Barachar |
| Best for a jeep day out | Baboon Valley, via Kutton Waterfall |
| Season | June to September for the higher, harder routes |
Leepa valley
Leepa is the best known "offbeat" destination in Azad Kashmir, which is a little misleading, since it has its own road and a growing number of guesthouses. It runs close to the Line of Control on the Indian side of the valley, and access has depended on the security situation in different years, so it is worth checking current conditions before you commit to a trip. Our full guide to Leepa valley covers the route, hotels and road condition in detail; this post keeps to its place among the region's quieter options.
Neel Fari Lake
Neel Fari is a smaller alpine lake reached off the main Neelum valley routes, quieter than Ratti Gali or Shounter and without the jeep-safari infrastructure that has built up around those two. Our guide to Neel Fari Lake has the specifics on the walk in and what to expect.
Baboon Valley
Baboon Valley sits above Keran and Jagran in the Neelum valley, at roughly 3,870 metres, with meadows and forest that stay green well into late summer. It is reached by jeep through Kutton Waterfall, a drive of about three hours from Kundal Shahi or Keran, on a track that stays rough for the whole distance.
Because it sits above the main valley floor, Baboon Valley keeps snow on the surrounding peaks later into the season than the valley below, which is part of its appeal for visitors who want to see snow and green meadows together in summer. It also serves as a starting point for the walk to Patlian Lake.
Patlian Lake
Patlian Lake is reached on foot from the Baboon Valley area, and sees a fraction of the visitors that Ratti Gali does, mainly trekkers who are already in the area rather than people making a dedicated trip. There is no visitor infrastructure at the lake itself, so this is a trip for people comfortable arranging their own trekking logistics, ideally with a local guide who knows the current route.
Bedori Peak
Bedori, at around 3,727 metres, is the highest point in the Forward Kahuta area of Haveli district, facing the Pir Panjal range on the Indian side of the Line of Control. The usual approach is on foot from the village of Barachar, on a trail that starts steep and stays demanding for most of the climb. This is a proper trek rather than a jeep safari or a short walk, and it is the most remote of the five places in this guide.
Haveli district sits close to the LoC, and forward areas like Kahuta have been affected by current travel advisories, so this is one to check carefully before setting out rather than one to attempt spontaneously.
What "offbeat" means here in practice
None of these places has the tourist infrastructure of Neelum valley's main road or Banjosa Lake. That means:
- Limited or no hotels. Leepa has guesthouses; Baboon Valley has basic camping options at best; Patlian Lake and Bedori have none.
- Patchy or no mobile signal once you're off the main valley roads.
- A local guide is worth the cost, particularly for Patlian Lake and Bedori, where the route is not signposted and conditions change season to season.
- A shorter season. June to September is the realistic window for the higher spots; Leepa, at lower altitude, is accessible for longer but still affected by winter snow.
Is it worth the extra effort?
If your goal is simply quieter scenery, Neel Fari Lake and Baboon Valley deliver that without asking for serious trekking experience, as long as you're comfortable with a rough jeep track. Patlian Lake and Bedori are for travellers who already trek and want a genuine wilderness route rather than a scenic drive. Leepa is different again: it's a valley you drive into rather than trek into, and its appeal is more about the villages, orchards and walnut trees than isolation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leepa valley open to tourists right now?
Access to Leepa has varied by year depending on the security situation near the Line of Control. Check current local advice in Muzaffarabad before travelling, and see our Leepa valley guide for the fuller picture.
Do I need a guide for Patlian Lake or Bedori Peak?
It isn't compulsory, but a local guide is strongly worth arranging for both. Neither route is signposted, mobile signal is unreliable, and conditions on the trail can change from season to season.
Can a normal car reach Baboon Valley?
No. The track through Kutton Waterfall requires a 4x4, and the drive from Kundal Shahi or Keran takes around three hours each way.
Which of these places is best for a first visit to offbeat Azad Kashmir?
Neel Fari Lake or Baboon Valley, since both are reachable by jeep in a day and don't require trekking experience, unlike Patlian Lake or Bedori Peak.
Is it safe to travel to these areas?
Leepa, Baboon Valley, Patlian Lake and Bedori all sit close enough to the Line of Control that some or all of the route falls within the area the UK government currently advises against travelling to. Check our guide on is Azad Kashmir safe to travel and current local advice before setting out, particularly for Leepa and Bedori.
