Reshian Gali is the 3,200 metre pass that you cross to get from the Jhelum side of Azad Kashmir into Leepa Valley. The road branches off the Muzaffarabad–Chakothi road at Naily, about 45 km from Muzaffarabad, climbs through Reshian village and the pass, then drops to roughly 1,677 metres on the Leepa side. Over the pass the surface gets rough enough that most visitors switch to a hired jeep, and snow closes the whole route for the winter.
This guide is about the pass itself: the stages of the climb, what changes at Reshian, when it is passable and what to check before you set out. For the valley beyond, see our Leepa Valley guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Pass height | About 3,200 m |
| Turn-off | Naily, about 45 km from Muzaffarabad |
| Reshian village | About 1,674 m |
| Dao Khan | About 2,490 m, 4 km from Reshian |
| Leepa side | Drops to about 1,677 m |
| Usually open | May to November, snow permitting |
| Last stretch | Jeep, from Reshian onwards |
Where is Reshian Gali?
The pass sits in the Hattian Bala district, on the ridge that separates the Jhelum valley from Leepa. Reshian village is the last proper settlement on the Jhelum side, and the pass itself lies about 8 km beyond it.
Sources differ on the distances, which is common for mountain roads. Reshian is given as roughly 67 km from Muzaffarabad by road in one guide, and Dao Khan, the next village on the climb, as about 71 to 75 km. Treat these as approximate and ask at Naily or Reshian how long the road really takes on the day.
The road from Naily, stage by stage
- Muzaffarabad to Naily, about 45 km. This is the ordinary Jhelum valley road towards Chakothi, and it is the easy part.
- Naily to Reshian. Here you turn off and begin climbing. Reshian is at about 1,674 metres, so most of the height gain is still ahead.
- Reshian to Dao Khan, about 4 km. Dao Khan is a hill village at about 2,490 metres. AJK Tourism and the AJK Forest Department keep rest houses there, which are the most practical place to stop and ask about the road ahead.
- Dao Khan to the pass. The road climbs to about 3,200 metres. From Reshian onwards guides describe the road as jeep-only.
- Descent into Leepa. The road drops by about 1,500 metres to the valley floor. Published figures for the jeep stage from Reshian to Leepa range from about 23 to 38 km, so do not plan to the minute.
Our page on the state of the Leepa road goes into surface and weather, and Leepa jeep hire covers how drivers are arranged.
Do you need a jeep?
Sources agree that the last stretch from Reshian needs a jeep. A normal car is realistic as far as Reshian and in good weather as far as Dao Khan, but the pass and the descent are a different matter, with steep gradients and a rough surface. Local drivers also double as guides, and they know which stretches have washed out after rain.
If you drive your own car to Reshian, park it there and hire a jeep with a local driver for the pass rather than risking your own brakes on the descent.
When is Reshian Gali open?
Leepa is generally described as open to domestic visitors from May to November. The road opens and closes with snow, not with the calendar. A heavy early fall can shut it in October, and in spring the opening depends on how quickly the snow is cleared.
Altitude also matters here. At 3,200 metres the air is thinner and colder than anyone arriving from Muzaffarabad will expect, even in summer, and fog can settle on the ridge quickly. Pack a warm layer for the pass even on a hot day in Muzaffarabad.
Is it safe? What to check before you go
Reshian Gali and Leepa Valley lie close to the Line of Control, and the UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of it, which covers Leepa. Its advice for the rest of Azad Kashmir is to avoid all but essential travel. Foreign-passport holders should read their own government's advice, because travelling against it can void travel insurance.
The recent picture in Azad Kashmir is also unsettled. Protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee from June 2026 were the deadliest unrest there in years, with long internet and phone shutdowns, and the AJK government asked tourists to stay away in June. Pakistani visitors do still travel to Leepa in season, but conditions can change quickly.
Before you set out:
- Check local news and ask the district administration or police at Muzaffarabad about the current situation.
- Expect no mobile signal for much of the climb, and tell someone your route and your expected return.
- Do not photograph military positions or leave the road towards the border.
- Do not start the pass late in the day. It is a bad place to be caught by dark, fog or rain.
Is Reshian Gali worth the trip?
Yes, if you want the road itself and the valley beyond it, and you have time. The climb is slow and the Leepa side feels a long way from the Jhelum road. It is not a good fit for anyone who dislikes steep unsurfaced roads, for small children who get carsick, or for a trip squeezed into a single day from Muzaffarabad.
If you only have a day, a quieter option is the lower Jhelum valley, covered in our guide to Jhelum Valley. If you do go to Leepa, leave a spare day for weather.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Reshian Gali?
About 3,200 metres (10,500 ft). Reshian village below it is at about 1,674 metres.
Where does the road to Reshian Gali start?
At Naily, on the Muzaffarabad–Chakothi road, roughly 45 km from Muzaffarabad. Reshian is the next main village on the climb.
Do I need a jeep to cross Reshian Gali?
From Reshian onwards guides say you do. Ordinary cars are fine up to Reshian but not recommended over the pass.
When does snow close Reshian Gali?
The pass closes with the first heavy snowfall, usually in late autumn, and the valley is generally described as open to domestic visitors only from May to November.
Is Reshian Gali safe to visit?
Pakistani visitors do travel there in season, but the area is within 10 miles of the Line of Control and the UK advises against travel there. Check current local advice before leaving Muzaffarabad. For wider planning, see our Kashmir overview and Azad Kashmir travel tips.
