Neelum Valley — Following the river north.

A village of bright-roofed houses beside the Neelum River, with pine forest climbing the valley walls

Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Following the river north.

Photo: Ali Zeshan Iqbal / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Neelum River joins the Jhelum at Muzaffarabad, the administrative centre of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Upstream, the valley runs north-east through Athmuqam, Keran, Sharda and Kel, with side trails climbing to high meadows and lakes.

It is a summer valley, generally visited from May to September, and much of its accommodation is small and family-run.

River: Neelum (Kishanganga)
Joins the Jhelum at: Muzaffarabad
Generally visited: May to September
Coordinates: 34.589° N, 73.911° EView on a map

Seasons are general guidance. Mountain roads and passes open and close with the weather; check locally before travelling.

What draws people here

Keran and Sharda
Arang Kel
Ratti Gali Lake trek
Riverside guesthouses

Planning a visit

Getting there: There are no scheduled flights to Muzaffarabad. From Islamabad International it is three to four hours by road to Muzaffarabad through Murree and Kohala, then up the valley road to Athmuqam, Keran, Sharda and Kel. Beyond Kel the road is for jeeps only.
How long to allow: Three to four days.
Good to know: The valley road runs close to the Line of Control, where a strip is closed to foreigners. In practice foreign passport holders are asked for a No Objection Certificate and have been turned back at checkposts without one, so apply well in advance and confirm before booking. Several governments currently advise against travel here, so check your own government's advice and your insurance before booking.

General guidance, checked in September 2026. Visa rules, permits, flights and mountain roads change; confirm with official sources or a licensed operator before you book. We do not sell travel.

Sources

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