Hill View Guest House

Getting to Rawalakot

Islamabad International Airport is the nearest airport to Rawalakot, about 93 km away in a straight line from the centre. The road distance is longer than that, and arrivals usually continue by road, with the last stretch of the drive possibly needing a vehicle with good clearance. From Muzaffarabad, the road south to Rawalakot takes around two hours. Because hill roads can be slow, it helps to plan the road journey in daylight.

Around Rawalakot

In Rawalakot, the town sits at about 1,600 m in a wide bowl of hills, with houses climbing the slopes on either side and orchards beginning where the streets end. The air is cool in summer and the pace is slow, and the bazaar is the focus of activity in town. Villages of stone and timber houses sit among terraced fields around the town, and shepherds move flocks up the slopes in spring. Apple and pear trees flower in April, and the harvest comes in late summer and autumn. Rawalakot is quieter than Muzaffarabad and serves as a base for short walks and drives into the surrounding valleys.

Around Rawalakot, Banjosa lake lies about 20 km away, a small reservoir in pine forest with a walking path and a park. Further afield, Murree grew as a summer retreat in the 19th century and still follows the ridge above the Kashmir Road, while a day in Nathia Gali is enough for the bazaar, a walk on the ridge and a short forest path. Haveli is another nearby area. Check current travel advice before setting out, as rules for the district can change.

Rawalakot through the year

In Rawalakot, the best months are April to October, with April, May, June, September and October rated best and March, July, August and November good. January, February and December are possible months, and winter has its own quiet appeal for those prepared for snow. The air is cool in summer, and apple and pear trees flower in April, with the harvest coming in late summer and autumn.

Places to stay in Rawalakot: what to expect

Guest houses in Rawalakot are a fair number, mostly simple to mid-range in star profile. Almost all list car parking and a 24-hour front desk, most list a shuttle service, many list breakfast, some list a restaurant, and a few list free Wi-Fi. Families and drivers often find this kind of stay practical, with breakfast commonly available and parking widely listed, while Wi-Fi is less common and worth checking ahead.

Hotels in Rawalakot form a small group, mostly simple to mid-range in star profile. Almost all list car parking and a 24-hour front desk, most list a restaurant and a shuttle service, some list breakfast, and a few list a garden. This mix suits travellers who want a front desk available through the day and a meal available on site, and drivers will find parking easy to come by among the hotels.

Resorts and lodges in Rawalakot form a small group, mostly simple to mid-range in star profile. Almost all list car parking and a 24-hour front desk, many list free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, breakfast and a shuttle service. This kind of stay suits travellers who want more space and a quieter base, with meals and Wi-Fi commonly listed and parking almost always available for those arriving by road.

Staying in Rawalakot: questions