Rivers of Azad Kashmir: Jhelum, Neelum and Poonch

Three rivers shape Azad Kashmir: the Jhelum, which crosses the territory from north to south, the Neelum, which runs through the valley that carries its name and joins the Jhelum at Muzaffarabad, and the Poonch, which drains the southern hills into the Mangla reservoir. Between them they decide where the roads go, where the towns stand and where visitors end up.

This guide explains the rivers of Azad Kashmir one at a time, with what to see on each and how they fit together. It is a geography guide rather than a trip plan; our route guides are linked where they help.

The Jhelum

The Jhelum begins at Verinag spring at the foot of the Pir Panjal, in the Kashmir Valley on the Indian side, and runs about 725 km before it meets the Chenab at Trimmu in Punjab. It enters Pakistan-administered territory through a deep gorge and, for visitors, becomes visible around Muzaffarabad, where the Neelum joins it.

Below Muzaffarabad the Jhelum continues south through steep, wooded country and forms the line you cross when the road drops from Murree to Kohala. At the Kohala bridge the road crosses from Punjab into Azad Kashmir; see our Kohala bridge guide. The river then runs through the lower hills to the Mangla reservoir in Mirpur District.

Jhelum Valley

The road along the river from Muzaffarabad towards Chakothi and the Line of Control is known as the Jhelum Valley road, and it is a very different place from the Neelum Valley: wider, greener, and busier. Our Jhelum Valley guide covers it.

Mangla Dam

The Jhelum is dammed at Mangla, completed in 1967, which has a generating capacity of 1,070 MW and one of the largest earth-fill dam structures in the world. The reservoir, known as Mangla Lake, is where the Jhelum and the Poonch both end up on their way to the plains. For boating, fishing and the fort, see our guides to visiting Mangla Dam and boating on Mangla Lake.

The Neelum

The Neelum is the largest tributary of the Jhelum. It rises in Krishansar Lake near Sonamarg in Indian-administered Kashmir, where it is called the Kishanganga, and flows about 245 km in all, with around 195 km on the Pakistani side. It enters Pakistan-administered territory through the Gurez sector, then follows the Line of Control through Sharda, Kel, Athmuqam and Keran before joining the Jhelum at Muzaffarabad. It was renamed Neelum in 1956 on the Pakistani side.

The valley road follows the river for most of its length. Around Keran the river itself is the border, with Indian-administered Kashmir on the far bank. That's why the Neelum Valley road sits inside the area the UK government advises against travelling to.

Why the Neelum matters to Pakistan

Two hydropower projects sit on the river and its tributaries: the 969 MW Neelum–Jhelum plant in Pakistan, and India's 330 MW Kishanganga plant upstream. Pakistan has contested the Indian project under the Indus Waters Treaty. You won't see any of this from the road, but it explains why the river appears in news about water and the border.

Trout and river stops

The Neelum holds brown, rainbow and snow trout. Our guide to trout in Neelum Valley explains where fish are served and what to expect.

Along the road, the best river stops are at Patika, Athmuqam and Keran. See our guides to Athmuqam and Keran.

Where Neelum meets Jhelum

At Domel in Muzaffarabad the two rivers meet. The confluence point and the Red Fort are close together. See our guides to Domel and the Red Fort.

The Poonch

The Poonch river rises in the south-facing foothills of the Pir Panjal in Indian-administered Poonch district, where its upper reaches are known as the Siran. It flows south and then west, passes Poonch town, and crosses into Azad Kashmir. Settlements on its banks include Tatta Pani, Kotli and Mirpur, and it ends in the Mangla reservoir in Kotli District.

For visitors the Poonch is a river of the lower hills. The hot springs at Tatta Pani are on its banks; see our Tatta Pani guide. The 100 MW Gulpur hydropower project on the Poonch is a hydropower plant on the river. The road from Kotli to Rawalakot follows the river valley for part of the way; see our Kotli to Rawalakot road guide.

Other rivers

The Kunhar flows down the Kaghan Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and then joins the Jhelum system. It is the next largest tributary after the Neelum. It lies outside Azad Kashmir proper, but it explains why the Jhelum is so full at Muzaffarabad.

Should you visit the rivers of Azad Kashmir?

Yes, if you like riverside driving, trout, and quiet river beaches. The Neelum Valley road is the best-known river drive in the territory, and the Jhelum and Poonch add shorter day trips.

It isn't a rafting destination. Most river-adventure trips in Pakistan are in Swat and Gilgit-Baltistan; see our guide to rafting in Pakistan. Stay out of the water around Keran and Sharda unless you see local guidance. The Neelum is cold, fast and deep, and drownings are a risk.

Is it safe? What to check in 2026

Pakistani visitors still travel to the Neelum and Jhelum valleys, but 2026 has been unsettled. Protests from June 2026 led to blockades, strikes and long internet cuts, and the AJK government asked tourists to stay away for part of June. Service in the Neelum Valley was ordered restored on 1 September, though Poonch division districts stayed suspended.

The UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which includes most of the Neelum Valley, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, because it can void insurance. Check local news before travelling.

Frequently asked questions