Live road status · Northern Pakistan
Normal traffic both ways; the year-round route into Gilgit-Baltistan while Babusar is closed.
Normal traffic both ways; the year-round route into Gilgit-Baltistan while Babusar is closed.
The Chilas–Gilgit section of the Karakoram Highway follows the Indus gorge through Diamer and is the main supply route for the whole of Gilgit-Baltistan. While Babusar Top is closed for winter, every vehicle heading to Gilgit, Hunza, Ghizer and the Skardu Road junction at Jaglot passes this way.
Report a change on WhatsAppYes — the KKH between Chilas and Gilgit is open for all traffic (North Live launch report, 12 November 2026). Conditions on the KKH can change within hours, so check this page again before a long drive.
Yes. The KKH is Gilgit-Baltistan's year-round lifeline and stays open through winter. Short closures do happen — most often for landslides, rockfall or fog — but it is the only all-season road into the region.
The section is roughly 230 km and usually takes 5 to 7 hours by car, depending on road works, weather and stops. Start early in winter so you are not driving the gorge sections after dark.
This is the alternative: traffic from Islamabad and Mansehra uses the KKH via Besham, Pattan and Dassu to Chilas, then continues to Gilgit. It adds several hours compared with the Babusar shortcut.
Guided tours across Gilgit-Baltistan with local drivers who know every turn of these roads.
Book a tourNorth Live — a GB Adventure service.
Launch data — statuses from public reports & officials, 12 Nov 2026. Report changes on WhatsApp.
Statuses are reports, not guarantees — check locally before a high pass in bad weather.