Road trips
Islamabad to Naran by car: the road, the stops and the time
Six to seven hours through Abbottabad, Mansehra and Balakot. Where to stop for tea, fuel and the best views.
By the Drive Easy Rentals team | | 6 min read
Leave early
Leave Islamabad by 6am. You will clear the Hazara motorway before the traffic and reach Balakot for breakfast, with the hardest part of the road in daylight.
The route
Hazara motorway to Mansehra, then the N-15 through Balakot, Kawai and Kaghan to Naran. The last stretch after Balakot is narrow and winding, which is why we only send cars with our hill drivers.
- Islamabad to Mansehra: about 2 hours
- Mansehra to Balakot: about 1 hour
- Balakot to Naran: 3 to 4 hours
Good stops
Fuel up in Mansehra; pumps are fewer after Balakot. Stop for chai by the Kunhar river at Kawai, and keep an hour for photos once the valley opens up.
Which car
For 4 to 7 people a Fortuner or Prado 4x4 is the most comfortable. For 8 to 12 people, the Hiace van with roof AC. Naran road is open roughly from May to October.
Sample article on a demo website. Rates and road times are examples; check road conditions before you travel.