Sajikot waterfall is a roughly 60-metre fall in Havelian tehsil, about 27 km from Havelian town and around 40 km from Abbottabad city, reached by a narrow road that now runs close to the top of the falls. It's a popular summer picnic spot, at its best in the weeks after good rain, and swimming in the plunge pool has been restricted in the past over water quality.
This guide covers the route in, how much walking is actually left once you park, and the best time to go.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Height | About 60 metres (200 ft) |
| Location | Havelian tehsil, Abbottabad district |
| From Havelian | About 27 km, roughly an hour's drive |
| From Abbottabad city | About 40 km |
| Best season | Summer, especially after monsoon rain |
| Bathing | Has been restricted at the plunge pool; check current notices |
Getting there
The usual approach is via Havelian, the town on the N-35 about 10 km south of Abbottabad and the exit point from the Hazara Motorway. From Havelian, a narrow local road runs roughly 27 km to the falls, climbing into the hills south of the town. A newer stretch of road built closer to the falls means cars can now get within a short walk of the top of the waterfall, rather than requiring a long hike in as was once the case.
Coming from Islamabad, take the M-1 and Hazara Motorway to the Havelian interchange, then follow the Sajikot road from there. Coming from central Abbottabad, it's about 40 km in total, allow around an hour and a half each way once you're off the motorway and on the narrower road.
The road is single-track in places and shared with local traffic, so it's slower going than the distance alone suggests. A normal car can manage it in dry conditions; take it slowly after rain, when the surface can be muddy or, in bad years, damaged by runoff.
The walk
Because the access road now runs close to the top of the falls, the walk itself is short for most visitors: a matter of minutes from where you park to a viewpoint over the drop, and a further short scramble down if you want to reach the pool at the base. The path down to the pool is informal rather than a maintained trail, with loose rock and mud underfoot, so wear shoes with grip rather than sandals.
Take care near the edge at the top of the falls, particularly with children, since there's no formal barrier. After heavy rain the rocks are slippery and the flow is stronger than it looks from above.
When to go
Sajikot is at its best in summer, particularly the weeks following good monsoon rain, when the flow is strongest. Outside the wet season the fall can thin considerably, and in a dry spell it may be a fraction of its summer volume. If photographs of a full, roaring waterfall are the goal, aim for a visit shortly after rain rather than in a dry stretch of the season.
Avoid the trip during or immediately after very heavy rain, when the access road can be affected by runoff and the rocks around the falls become genuinely hazardous rather than just slippery.
Swimming and safety
The pool at the base of the falls has, in the past, been closed to bathing by the local administration over water quality concerns. Rules like this can change from year to year, so look for any posted notice at the site and ask locally before getting in the water. Treat any prohibition as a real one rather than a suggestion; water quality concerns and the risk of slipping on wet rock near a 60-metre drop are both genuine.
Beyond any official restriction, a few sensible precautions apply to any waterfall pool in Pakistan: don't swim alone, keep an eye on children at all times near the edge, and don't attempt to climb the rock face beside the falls.
What to bring
- Proper shoes, not sandals, for the scramble down to the pool
- A change of clothes if you plan to get in the water where it's permitted
- Cash for any small stalls or parking arrangements at the site
- Water and snacks, since there's little in the way of shops on the approach road
Is it worth the trip?
Yes, if you're already in Abbottabad for a day or two and want a change from the city sights, and especially if you're visiting in summer after rain when the fall is at full flow. It's a half-day trip rather than a quick stop, given the drive in and back on the narrower road beyond Havelian.
It's a lower priority if your time in Hazara is limited to a single day, when Shimla Hill, the Ilyasi Mosque and Harnoi are easier to combine without the longer drive south to Havelian; our Abbottabad day trip plan covers that shorter version. Our places to visit in Abbottabad guide sets Sajikot alongside the city's other sights if you're deciding what to prioritise, and if you'd like a longer route through Hazara built around it, send us your plans.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Sajikot waterfall from Abbottabad?
Drive south to Havelian on the N-35 or via the Hazara Motorway's Havelian interchange, then follow the local road roughly 27 km further to the falls, about 40 km and an hour and a half in total from the city.
How tall is Sajikot waterfall?
About 60 metres, or roughly 200 feet.
Can you swim at Sajikot waterfall?
Swimming in the plunge pool has been restricted at times by the local administration over water quality. Check for current notices at the site before getting in the water.
What is the best time to visit Sajikot waterfall?
Summer, particularly the weeks after good monsoon rain, when the flow is at its strongest. It thins noticeably in dry spells.
Is the walk to Sajikot waterfall difficult?
No, not any more. A road now runs close to the top of the falls, leaving only a short walk or scramble to the viewpoint and, if you want it, the pool below.
