Swat — Mountains in green. — Pakistan Tourism Awards

Painted wooden boats on the blue-green water of Mahodand Lake, ringed by pine forest in upper Swat

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Mountains in green.

Photo: Shahzaib Damn Cruze / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Swat follows its river north from Mingora into steadily higher, greener country. Beyond Bahrain the road reaches Kalam, and from there rough tracks continue to the side valleys of Ushu, Utror and Gabral, each at well over two thousand metres.

Mahodand Lake lies about 35 kilometres beyond Kalam on an unpaved four-wheel-drive road, among meadows and conifer forest. The upper valley is a summer destination, generally reached between June and September.

Ushu: 2,286 m
Utror: 2,225 m
Kalam to Mahodand: About 35 km
Province: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Generally visited: April to October
Coordinates: 34.772° N, 72.360° E

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