Beautiful Places in Neelum Valley
Neelam Valley named after Neelam River (Sapphire gemstone is also known Neelam stone meaning a light blue shade). Neelam Valley; is a district of Pakistani-administered Azad Kashmir located in the North-East of Muzaffarabad, Capital of Azad Kashmir. in this blog, we have enlisted some of the most visited beautiful places in Neelum Valley.
Neelam Valley is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers, offering a variety of activities to enjoy. The valley is known for its stunning natural beauty and breathtaking views. The lush greenery and the flowing rivers create a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The valley is a great place for hiking, trekking, camping, and picnicking. Visitors can explore the many trails that run through the valley and witness the stunning landscapes and wildlife.
Athmuqam is the district headquarter of Neelam Valley. The Sarwali peak (6,326 metres) is the highest mountain peak in Azad Kashmir,is situated in Neelam Valley. This valley is 144 kilometres (89 mi) long consisted enormous beautiful attractions. This valley is divided into two regions, Upper Neelam Region and Lower Neelam Region.
Although the Neelum Valley is full of beautiful destinations but we have enlisted the Top 10 beautiful places which you have to visit when you go to Neelum Valley
Top 10 Beautiful Places in Neelum Valley:
1. Ratti Gali Lake
2. Chitta Katha Lake
3. Patliyan Lake
4. Keran
5. Sharda
6. Taobutt
7. Kutton Waterfall
8. Baboon Valley
9. Upper Neelam
10. Arrang Kel
The beautiful and famous Ratti Gali Lake is situated about 18 KMs from Dawarian. Ratti Gali Lake can be visited during months of May to October by 4×4 jeep. After taking a jeep from Dawarian village, you’ll be reached the base camp area of Ratti Gali Lake. From there, you’ll have to trek for almost an hour to reach the Lake. Tourists have choices either to stay at Base Camp or move back to Keran. In winters this lake is not accessible for the tourists.
The mesmerizing Chitta Katha Lake is located in Shounter valley, at the elevation of 13,500 feet (4,100m). Chitta Katha Lake, or Turtle Lake, glisten in an emerald hue of glacial meltwater that spills down the mountains into the Lake. This rare Lake in the Himalayas can be found in AJ &K’s Neelum district and is one of the most beautiful lakes in the region.
To reach Chitta Katha Lake, you’ll have to travel a distance of 155 KMs from Muzaffarabad on a very good road to reach lush green town of Kel. From there, it’s a 4-hour difficult jeep track. then it takes 5-6 hours steep hike; from one side, to reach at the lake. In winters this lake isn’t accessible for the tourists.
Places to visit close to Chitta Katha Lake are Arrang Kal, Gurez Valley & Shounter Lake. There are facilities for tourists to eat and drink while enjoying the Lake’s beauty.
Patlian lake is a high-altitude bowl 3.5 hours’ drive from Lawat town, Neelum Valley. The lake freezes over in November and thaws in March.
Jeep trek from Keran (Neelum Valley Road) to Patlian Lake. Keran to Lawat Bala Bridge road is metalled. After Lawat Bala till Patlian Lake drop point it’s a dirt track. After the jeep drop point 15 minutes’ walk to the lake.
Best time to visit Patlian Lake is July to October (Only with 4×4 vehicles)
Keran is a village and tourist resort in Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Keran is amongst the beautiful places of Neelum Valley. It is located 93 kilometers from Muzaffarabad on the bank of Neelum River at the altitude of 1,524 meters (5,000 ft). The adjacent village on the other side of the Neelum River in Indian Kashmir is also known as Keran.
Keran is full of the praiseworthy beauty of nature. Many guest houses in the form of small to medium huts in Keran offer comfortable accommodations for tourists. Besides spending nights, you can also feel the beauty of these mesmerizing colorful huts that attract tourists to come and live in them.
Keran is accessible by Neelam valley road, and is located 93 km from Muzaffarabad. You can visit Keran anytime of the year.
Sharda, also known as Shardi, is a small Tehsil in Neelam District in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is one of the two tehsils of Neelum district. It is 145 kilometers away from Muzaffarabad and located on the banks of the Neelum River at an altitude of 1,981 m (6,499 ft).
Shardi and Nardi are the two mountain peaks overlooking the valley, named after the princesses of legend, Sharda and Narda. You can visit Sharda anytime of the year.
Sharada Peeth is one of the historical and beautiful places of Neelum Valley
Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, Sharada Peeth was among the most prominent temple universities in the Indian subcontinent. Known in particular for its library, it was associated with Buddhist scholars such as Kumārajīva, Thonmi Sambhota, Rinchen Zangpo, as well as Kalhana Pandit and Adi Shankara. It played a key role in the development and popularisation of the Sharada script in North India, resulting in the script being named after it, and Kashmir acquiring the moniker “Sharada Desh”, meaning “country of Sharada”.
TaoButt is the last village on Neelum Valley road and is about 49 kilometer from Kel. The area from Kel to TaoButt have amazing natural beauty and is known as Halmat. Taobut have incredible natural landscape with gushing streams and lush green meadows. It is inhabited by loving and innocent people who are extremely hospitable. Here the Neelum River enters into Azad Kashmir and ultimately joins Jehlum River. Taobutt situated near the control line between India and Azad Kashmir. Tao butt is the gem of Neelum valley Azad Kashmir. In extreme winters this Valley isn’t accessible for the tourists.
Kutton Waterfall is the most beautiful waterfall in Neelum valley. It is the one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Neelum valley. The actual name of this waterfall is the Kundal Shahi waterfall as it is located in Kundal Shahi village in Neelum valley.
Kutton Waterfall is almost 80 KMs away from Muzaffarabad. You can visit Kutton Waterfall anytime of the year.
Baboon Valley is not a much-visited place compared to other areas of Kashmir, but it’s a stunning location with breathtaking majesty. The beautiful section of the Neelam Valley is known as the Baboon valley. It’s approximately 13000 feet above sea level. If you want to encounter genuine nature, this valley has all kinds of magnificent and picturesque views. Waterfalls, verdant meadows, springs, snow-covered mountain peaks, and glaciers are available for tourists. The Baboon valley is a lush, green, and unspoiled valley. The road leading to Kutton waterfall branches off from it, and jeeps may get there in three hours from Kundal Shahi or Karan side.
Several tents and hotels are available in Karka and Domelian villages on the Keran Valley side and on the Jagran side. In addition, hotels are available in Shaal and Ghural villages, 98 kilometers away from Muzaffarabad. The following locations are just a few that surround this valley: Ratti Gali Lake, Keran, Jabri Top, Jabri Forest, Kandor Stadium, Doarayan Jungle.
In extreme winters this Valley isn’t accessible for the tourists.
Upper Neelum is a small village in Neelum valley. It is the most beautiful place to stay while visiting the Neelum valley. It is located near Keran that’s why it is also known as Upper Keran. Tourists can enjoy amazing views of Neelum River, Keran village and Indian Occupied Kashmir. Upper Keran has beautiful hotels for Overnight stay. A small link road connected the main Neelum road to a hilltop with Upper Neelum Village.
Arrang kel is a heavenly village 2 KMs away from the town of Kel. It’s 8379ft above sea level. Getting to Arrang Kel is quite an adventurous mission. It’s an hour trek from Kel. An alternate route to Arrang Kel from Kel is through an army made chairlift which goes from above the river.
AhmedMarch 16, 2023
Informative blogs. Well done AM Trekkers and Tours.
Rafia shafiqueMarch 16, 2023
Worth it