"Surgan Valley: Sharda's Side Valley Towards Noori Top"

Surgan Valley is the side valley that opens up where the Surgan stream joins the Neelum river near Sharda, and it is the start of the jeep track that eventually climbs to Noori Top and over into Kaghan Valley. Most visitors see only its lower stretch, on a day trip or short trek out of Sharda; fewer continue all the way to the pass.

This guide covers what is along the Surgan valley, how far a normal car can go before you need a jeep, and where the track leads.

Where is Surgan Valley?

The Surgan Nullah flows down into the Neelum river at Sharda, and the valley it drains is the route travellers use to reach Noori Top, a high pass connecting Neelum Valley to Kaghan Valley on the other side. Attractions and stopping points along the way include the settlements of Maidaan and Kishan Ghatti, along with open meadows and the Surgan stream itself, which the trekking route follows for much of its length.

How far can a normal car go?

A normal car can comfortably reach Sharda on the main Neelum Valley road. Beyond Sharda, road conditions get rougher, and the Surgan side track climbing away from the valley floor needs a 4x4 jeep; it is not a route for an ordinary car, especially after rain, when the track can turn to mud. If you don't have your own jeep, they can usually be arranged in Sharda. Our guide to Sharda has more on what the village itself offers before you head up the side valley.

Villages, meadows and camping along the Surgan stream

The lower Surgan valley has small settlements and open ground that make for straightforward day trekking out of Sharda, following the stream up through pine forest into wider meadows. This stretch does not require a jeep for a shorter walk, though a full day is realistic if you want to get well up the valley and back. Camping is possible in the open meadows further up, but as with most of upper Neelum Valley there are no fixed facilities once you are away from Sharda itself, so bring your own tent, food and water, and take everything back down with you. Our camping in Neelum Valley guide covers what to prepare for generally.

The route towards Noori Top

For travellers with a jeep and more time, the Surgan track continues up towards Noori Top, a high pass at the head of the valley that connects through to Jalkhad in Kaghan Valley. The full route between Sharda and Jalkhad runs around 47 km and needs a 4x4 the whole way; it is a genuine mountain crossing, not a casual side trip, and should only be attempted with an experienced local driver and reliable information on current conditions. This is a different, longer undertaking than the lower Surgan day trek, and most visitors treat the two as separate trips.

Best time to visit

July to September is the reliable window for the upper Surgan valley and the Noori Top crossing, when the pass is clear of snow. The lower valley near Sharda can be walked a little earlier and later in the season, but the track over the pass itself is snowbound outside summer and not something to plan around at other times of year.

Is it worth it?

The lower Surgan valley is a good half-day or full-day trek for anyone already staying in Sharda who wants a walk away from the main road, through forest and into open meadow, without needing a jeep. Crossing all the way to Noori Top is a bigger commitment: a long jeep day on a rough track, worthwhile mainly for travellers who specifically want the Kaghan-to-Kashmir crossing or a genuinely remote high pass, rather than as an easy add-on to a Sharda stop.

Is Neelum Valley safe to visit?

Sharda and the Surgan valley lie within the section of Azad Kashmir close to the Line of Control that the UK government's Pakistan travel advice currently advises against all travel to. Pakistani travellers visit the area regularly. Foreign passport holders should check their own government's current advice before travelling, since it can affect travel insurance, and everyone should check local conditions before setting out.

Frequently asked questions