Shandur Pass is normally open to vehicles from about late April into early November, and closed by snow for the rest of the year. Nobody publishes a fixed date, so "open or closed" on any given day is a question about snow, avalanche debris and, in summer, flood damage on the approach roads. As of September 2026 the season is running, and repairs after the July floods were reported complete, but you should confirm on the day.
This guide is about status: how the season works, which side of the pass clears first, what went wrong in 2026, and how to check before you set out. For the lake, the plateau and camping, see our Shandur Pass guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 3,700 m (10,230 ft) |
| Usual open season | Late April to early November, weather permitting |
| Reliable window | June to September |
| Closed by snow | Roughly November to April |
| Clears first | Usually the Gilgit-Baltistan side; the Chitral side often lags |
| Chitral to Shandur | 153 km, N-140, still under reconstruction |
When does Shandur Pass open?
In 2019 the Chitral authorities announced on 23 April that the pass had been opened to vehicles after snow clearance, with heavy vehicles expected the following week. That is the low end of the range. Snow and avalanches can delay clearance for weeks, and the timing changes every year.
The two sides do not open together. In February 2025, residents of Laspur and Mastuj complained that the road on the Chitral side was still blocked by snow and avalanche debris, while the Gilgit-Baltistan side had been cleared through Ghizer up to the foot of the pass. If you are travelling in spring, ask about the specific side you will use.
When does it close?
Reports put the end of the season around early November, and heavy early snow can shut it sooner. One report records the top closed by heavy snowfall on 2 November in 2018. October is possible but cold and empty, and a single storm can close the road behind you.
June to September is the dependable window, and the one to plan around. Our seasons guide for passes compares Shandur with the other high roads, and our when to go guide covers the wider north.
What happened in summer 2026
Summer is not risk-free either. In July 2026 floods and heavy rain damaged the Gilgit-Shandur road. A bridge was swept away at KM 98 in Yangal, Ghizer, and the National Highway Authority reported on 24 July that the road was fully restored for all traffic after an alternate route was built at that point. Work continued on several other bridge sites.
On the Chitral side, the Chitral-Mastuj road was cut for two days near Kuragh by erosion from the Yarkhun river and reopened around 5 August 2026.
The lesson is that a summer road can close for a day or two without notice. Keep a spare day in your plan.
The road itself
The 153-km Chitral to Shandur road, through Pret, Booni, Mastuj and Shaidas, is designated N-140. The government has set December 2026 as the completion target, but by July 2026 progress on the individual packages ranged from roughly 30 to 48 percent, and the final stretch to Shandur was the furthest behind. Expect roadworks and rough sections on the Chitral approach, and don't assume the road will be finished.
How to check before you go
- Ask the night before, in Gilgit, Phander, Mastuj or Chitral, whichever is nearest. Hotel staff and drivers know current conditions better than any website.
- Ask about your side of the pass. Clearing is done separately, and one side can be open when the other is not.
- Check the weather. Rain in the valleys and snow on top both close roads.
- Leave a spare day. Landslides and flood damage happen even in July and August.
- Read the news. Local outlets report closures and reopenings as they happen.
Is it safe to travel to Shandur?
The Gilgit-Baltistan approach through Ghizer is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against. The routes to Chitral from the south are different: the UK advises against all travel on the N45 from Mardan to Chitral city and in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistani visitors still travel there, but check current news and police advice, and overseas visitors should read their own government's advice first because it can affect insurance. Many travellers reach Shandur from the Gilgit side for this reason. Our Gilgit to Shandur guide covers that route.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shandur Pass open now?
It is normally open from about late April to early November. Confirm locally, because snow, landslides or flood damage can close it for days.
When does Shandur Pass close for winter?
Usually in early November, sometimes earlier if snow arrives. It stays closed until the following spring.
Which side of Shandur clears first?
Often the Gilgit-Baltistan side. In February 2025 the Ghizer side was clear to the foot of the pass while the Chitral side was still blocked.
Can I drive from Gilgit to Chitral over Shandur in summer?
Yes, when both sides are open. Read our Gilgit to Chitral via Shandur guide for the route and drive times.
Is the Chitral to Shandur road finished?
No. The target is December 2026, and construction was still under way in mid-2026.
