Haramosh Valley Road: Avoid Driving in Rain or After Sunset
Located in the Gilgit district, in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, the Haramosh Valley Road is a narrow gravel road, pretty steep with dangerous drop-offs. Don’t try the drive in rain or after the sunset.
Where is the Haramosh Valley Road?
The road is located in the northern part of the country, within the Phuparash Valley. The road winds its way to the north-western part of the Haramosh massif, a subrange of the Karakoram mountains. The road is the only route connecting the 2,400 residents of this remote village to the outside world. Surely, it is a lifeline for the residents of Haramosh Valley, bringing in education and basic amenities to their remote mountain homes.
How long is the Haramosh Valley Road?
The road, also known as Harmosh Valley Road, runs along the Phuparash river and links the towns of Sassi and Dache (Dassu). It is 17.3 km (10,74 mi) long. A 4WD vehicle and an experienced driver are recommended.
How challenging is the Haramosh Valley Road?
The road is fully unpaved. This is some serious driving. The road has a steep vertical drop of hundreds of meters, with no guardrails in many sections, making it dangerous, especially on windy days. The elevation and rugged terrain add to the difficulty, and it becomes more hazardous when wet or dark. The route has many turns, including several sharp hairpin bends. Severe weather, such as avalanches, heavy snowfalls, and landslides, can occur at any time, and ice patches are common. It’s best to avoid this road during bad weather conditions.
Is the Haramosh Valley Road steep?
The road is pretty steep. It starts from the small town of Sassi, at 1.401m above sea level, and ends beyond Dache (Dassu), at 2.336m. The elevation gain is 935m and the average gradient is 5.4%, with sections up to 9%.
Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson
Pic&more info: http://www.rockhawks.com/PhotoGalleries/exp_07_haramoshrange_kutwallake.html