The Skardu to Kargil road is closed because it crosses the Line of Control between Pakistan and India, and it has been closed since the war of 1947 to 48. It cannot be used by tourists, by Pakistanis or by Indians, and there is no sign of it reopening. If you have seen it on a map or in a video and want to know whether you can drive from Skardu to Ladakh, the answer is no.
This guide explains what the road is, why it is shut, who wants it opened, and what to do instead. For the Skardu side, start with our Skardu guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 170 to 173 km from Skardu to Kargil, by most sources |
| Pakistani side | About 126 km from Skardu to the Line of Control, via the Kharmang valley |
| Closed since | 1947 to 48 war (some sources say 1948, others 1949) |
| Open to visitors | No |
| Legal alternative | None for ordinary tourists |
What is the Skardu to Kargil road?
Before 1947, Kargil, Leh and Skardu were part of a single district, the Ladakh Wazarat, and the route between Skardu and Kargil was an all-weather road on the old trade routes of the region. On the Pakistani side it ran through what is now the Kharmang valley.
After the first India-Pakistan war, Kargil went to India and Baltistan to Pakistan, and the Line of Control cut the road in two. Sources give the total distance as about 170 to 173 km, with roughly 126 km of it on the Pakistani side up to the line.
Why is it closed?
Because the Line of Control cuts across it. No crossing point has existed on this road since the line was drawn. On the Pakistani side it is maintained up to the line and stops there.
Opening it would need an agreement between the two governments. A 2012 Indian commentary noted that the practical work was small, with only a short section near the line needing widening, but the obstacle has always been political.
Who wants it reopened?
Families and civil society on both sides. Estimates of divided families run to 12,000 to 15,000 in the accounts we found. Some relatives can only meet abroad, for example on pilgrimage in Iran or Saudi Arabia, because they cannot cross directly.
In 2018 Indian politicians in Ladakh publicly called for reopening the Kargil to Skardu and Turtuk to Khaplu routes, and the demand has come up since. It has not produced a crossing. This guide cannot say what will happen in future, but no announcement of a reopening has been reported.
How far apart are they by another route?
Very far. By the roads that are open, travelling from Skardu to Kargil means going around through India, roughly 1,700 km according to one source. That is not a route open to ordinary travellers between the two countries. For Pakistani visitors the practical answer is that Kargil and Ladakh are out of reach from Skardu.
Can I drive towards the Line of Control?
The Kharmang valley and the road that heads towards the line lie in a sensitive military area. Do not try to reach the Line of Control on your own. If you want to see the valley, ask locally in Skardu about what is allowed, and follow any instruction from soldiers or police. Gilgit-Baltistan itself is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against, but the area next to the line is restricted; overseas visitors should read their own government's advice, since it can affect travel insurance.
What to do instead
If what draws you is Baltistan's old links with Ladakh, there is plenty on the Pakistani side:
- Khaplu, upriver, with the Khaplu Palace and old mosques. See our Skardu to Khaplu guide.
- Shigar, with its fort and old town. See Skardu to Shigar.
- Balti culture and history. Our history of Baltistan explains the Ladakh connection and the 1948 division.
- Skardu itself. Our Skardu itinerary for three days is a good starting plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Skardu to Kargil road open?
No. It has been closed since the 1947 to 48 war and crosses the Line of Control.
How far is Skardu from Kargil?
About 170 to 173 km by the old road, which would take roughly five to six hours if it were open.
Why has the road not reopened?
It needs agreement between India and Pakistan, and there has been no crossing on it since the ceasefire line was drawn.
Can tourists cross from Skardu to Kargil?
No. There is no crossing for tourists on this road, and the border area is a military zone.
Can I visit the Kharmang valley?
Ask locally in Skardu about what is currently allowed. Don't try to approach the Line of Control on your own.
