Hattian Bala is the headquarters of the Jhelum valley in Azad Kashmir, about 40 kilometres from Muzaffarabad, and the places worth visiting are Chinari and its waterfalls, Chikar with Zalzal Lake, and the border village of Chakothi. It works as a day trip from Muzaffarabad or an overnight stop on the way up the valley. The town itself is a service centre; the interest is in what lies along the roads out of it.
This guide covers what to see, roughly how far each place is, what access is like, and what to check before you go, since this district lies close to the Line of Control.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| District created | July 2009 |
| From Muzaffarabad | About 40 km, roughly 50 minutes |
| From Islamabad | About 150 km (one source says 152 km) |
| Tehsils | Hattian Bala, Chikar and Leepa |
| Summer highs | Up to about 38 degrees Celsius in the valley floor |
| Best season | Summer for the high valleys; check road status before any winter trip |
Where is Hattian Bala?
Hattian Bala lies on the Jhelum valley road east of Muzaffarabad. It became a district in July 2009, split from Muzaffarabad district, covers about 854 square kilometres and borders Indian-administered Kashmir to the north and east. It has three tehsils: Hattian Bala, Chikar and Leepa. About half the population speaks Pahari and about a third Gujari.
Distances in tourism sources vary because they measure from different points. Hattian Bala is about 40 kilometres from Muzaffarabad in most sources. If you are arriving from the capital, our guide to Islamabad to Muzaffarabad covers that approach.
Chinari
Chinari is the most visited village on the Jhelum road. Sources put it about 9 kilometres from Hattian Bala and about 51 kilometres from Muzaffarabad, on the Muzaffarabad to Chakothi road. It is known for waterfalls: the Kathai waterfall is described as the village's main attraction, there is a small lake called Kathai Nar in meadows above it, and the Cham waterfall is nearby. There are also some private hotels and a basic rest house in the village.
Water levels change with the season. Waterfalls are strongest after snowmelt and monsoon rain, and the same rain can make the access roads difficult, so a good outing is not guaranteed on any given day.
Chikar and Zalzal Lake
Chikar is a hill town on a branch road that leaves the Muzaffarabad to Chakothi highway and climbs into the foothills. One tourism site puts it about 18 kilometres from Hattian Bala, while Wikipedia says Zalzal Lake is about 55 kilometres from Muzaffarabad on the Chikar route, so treat any figure as approximate and ask locally. Chikar is a service and stopover town for the surrounding mountain villages and connects towards Sudhan Gali and Leepa.
Zalzal Lake was formed by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, when landslides blocked a stream. It is a small, quiet lake. The reason to go is the setting and a picnic, not a sight in itself. Our guide to Chikar has more on the town.
Leepa valley
Leepa is one of the three tehsils of the district and is often mentioned as about 54 kilometres from Hattian Bala. It is a long, remote side valley reached by a mountain road, and it is known for trekking and farming. It is also close to the Line of Control, and the road may be restricted or closed at times. Do not plan a Leepa trip without checking access with local police or the tourism office, and allow an extra day for delays.
Chakothi
Chakothi is a village on the Line of Control, on the Jhelum river, roughly 52 kilometres from Muzaffarabad according to Wikipedia. It is the checkpoint for the Muzaffarabad to Srinagar bus service. Some tourism pages describe it as open only to domestic visitors, and access can change with the security situation, so ask before you travel and follow the instructions at any checkpoint. Do not photograph military positions, and stay where you are told to stay.
A simple day from Muzaffarabad
If you have one day, pick one direction rather than trying to see everything. The valley roads are slow and the distances add up.
- Leave Muzaffarabad early, ideally by 8 am, so that you are back on the road before dark.
- Drive to Hattian Bala (about 50 minutes) and stop for tea and fuel. This is the last sizeable town before the villages.
- Continue to Chinari and spend the middle of the day at the waterfalls.
- Turn back by mid-afternoon. If the weather has been wet, cut the day short at Chinari rather than pushing on to Chakothi.
- For Chikar and Zalzal Lake, make it a separate outing or an overnight, because it uses a different branch road.
Keep a buffer for checkposts and for any landslide delay, and tell your hotel when you expect to be back.
Getting around
The Jhelum valley road runs from Muzaffarabad through Hattian Bala and on towards Chinari and Chakothi. Public vans and local jeeps serve the villages, but we could not verify a current timetable or fares, so ask at Muzaffarabad's local stands and agree the price first. For Chikar and Leepa, a local driver who knows the road is worth having. Our overview of the Jhelum valley describes the road and the villages in order.
Is it safe to visit Hattian Bala?
Pakistani visitors do go to Chinari and Chikar, but this is a border district and the picture has tightened in 2026.
- The UK government's travel advice for Pakistan advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir. Much of Hattian Bala lies close to the Line of Control. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, since it can void travel insurance.
- Joint Awami Action Committee protests from June 2026 were the deadliest unrest Azad Kashmir has seen in years, with long internet and phone shutdowns, and the AJK government asked tourists to stay away in June.
- Check current local news and police advice before setting out, carry your CNIC and expect checkposts.
Our page on whether Azad Kashmir is safe has more.
Who is Hattian Bala for?
It suits a family or small group with a day or two in the Jhelum valley who want waterfalls and a quiet picnic rather than a classic hill station. It is less suited to anyone short on time, anyone travelling with elderly relatives on long mountain roads, or overseas visitors who cannot follow their own government's advice. If you want more infrastructure, base yourself in Muzaffarabad and treat Hattian Bala as a day out. Our Kashmir overview shows the other options.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Hattian Bala from Muzaffarabad?
About 40 kilometres, roughly 50 minutes by road.
What is there to see in Hattian Bala?
Chinari and its waterfalls, Chikar and Zalzal Lake, the Leepa valley and the border village of Chakothi.
Can tourists visit Chakothi?
Pakistani visitors have gone, but it is on the Line of Control and access can change. Ask locally and follow checkpoint instructions.
How was Zalzal Lake formed?
By landslides during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which blocked a stream and left a lake.
Is Hattian Bala safe for tourists?
Pakistani families visit, but it is a border district and the UK advises against travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control. Check local news and police advice first.
