Sharan Forest is a pine forest at around 2,425 metres in the lower Kaghan Valley, reached by a rough 16 km 4x4 track from Paras, a small town on the main road below Kiwai. It is best known for its camping pods, a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government tourism project with small heated cabins and attached bathrooms, and for the waterfalls and forest walks around it, including the meadow at Manshi Top above.
This guide covers how to get there, what the pods offer, and the walking around Sharan itself.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 2,425 m |
| Distance from Paras | About 16 km by 4x4 track |
| Distance from Balakot | About 30 km |
| Getting there | Only by 4x4; jeeps hired in Paras or Kiwai |
| Camping pods | Run by the KP tourism department, 2-bed and 4-bed with attached washrooms |
| Manshi Top | A meadow above 3,000 m, reached on foot from Sharan |
Where Sharan Forest is
Sharan sits off the main Kaghan road, well below Shogran and Naran, in dense pine forest close to the border with Azad Kashmir. It is reached from Paras, a small town on the N-15 between Balakot and Kiwai, by a rough, unpaved track of around 16 km that only a proper 4x4 can manage.
The forest itself is the draw for people who want the pine and river scenery of the lower valley without the crowds further up. Streams and small waterfalls run through it, and paths lead out through the trees in several directions, including up toward Manshi Top, an open meadow above 3,000 metres with wide views over the Kaghan Valley and the Kunhar River below.
Getting there
There is no way to drive an ordinary car all the way to Sharan. Jeeps can be hired at Paras or Kiwai for the climb, and the ride itself takes roughly an hour and a half depending on the state of the track that season. Fares for the jeep vary a good deal between operators and the season, so agree the price, whether it includes waiting time, and the return trip before you set off, rather than assuming a fixed rate the way you might for Shogran or Siri Paye.
If you are coming from Islamabad, the drive follows the same route as for Shogran and Naran: the Hazara Motorway to Mansehra, then the N-15 through Balakot to Paras, where the Sharan track turns off.
The camping pods
The camping pods at Sharan are a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government tourism project, part of a wider scheme to add simple, modern accommodation at scenic spots across the province. They come in two sizes, a two-person pod with a private bathroom and a larger four-person pod with a shared bathroom, and the site offers electricity, running water and a restaurant alongside the pods themselves.
Prices have varied across sources and years, from around PKR 3,000 to 5,000 a night through the official booking channel to considerably more through some third-party travel sites, so check the current rate when you book rather than relying on any figure printed here. Bookings for the official pods run through the KP tourism department's own booking portal; third-party operators also list Sharan, sometimes at a mark-up, so compare before you pay.
Compared with bringing your own tent, the pods are the easier option for families or anyone who wants a heated, weatherproof night without carrying gear up a rough jeep track. They are also usually booked out well ahead of summer weekends, so reserve before you travel rather than turning up and hoping for a room.
Walks and waterfalls
Sharan rewards a slow visit rather than a checklist of sights. The forest paths near the pods make an easy walk of an hour or two, past small waterfalls and through pine that comes right down to the river, with cooler air than the roadside stops lower in the valley.
For a longer day, the walk up to Manshi Top climbs out of the forest onto open meadow above 3,000 metres, with views back down over the Kunhar and across the ridgelines of the lower Kaghan Valley. It is a proper uphill walk rather than a stroll, so allow a half day, start reasonably early, and take water and a warm layer even if the forest below feels mild.
Is Sharan Forest worth the detour?
Yes, for travellers who want a quieter alternative to Shogran, with forest rather than open meadow and a genuine sense of getting off the main road. It particularly suits people who like the idea of camping but want a heated pod rather than their own tent and a cold night, and families who want walking without the crowds of Siri Paye.
It is less suited to a short trip, since the rough jeep track and the modest facilities mean it works better as an overnight stop than a quick stop on the way past. If your time in the valley is limited to a day or two, Shogran and Siri Paye are the easier, better-connected choice; our Shogran valley guide covers that route. To weigh Sharan against the rest of the valley, start with our trip planning page.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Sharan Forest?
By 4x4 jeep from Paras, a small town on the main Kaghan road, over a rough track of about 16 km. There is no way for an ordinary car to reach it.
What are the Sharan camping pods?
Small heated cabins run by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tourism department, available as two-person pods with a private bathroom or larger four-person pods with a shared bathroom, alongside electricity, running water and a restaurant.
How much do the Sharan camping pods cost?
Prices reported range from around PKR 3,000 to 5,000 a night through the official booking channel to more through some third-party sites. Check the current rate when you book.
Is Sharan Forest far from Shogran?
They are both in the lower Kaghan Valley but reached from different points on the main road, Sharan from Paras and Shogran from Kiwai further up, so visiting both in one trip means two separate jeep detours.
What is there to do at Sharan Forest?
Forest walks and small waterfalls close to the pods, and a longer uphill walk to the meadow at Manshi Top above 3,000 metres, with views over the Kunhar River and the lower valley.
