Fairy Meadows Road
Pakistan, asia
16 km
3,300 m
extreme
May to October
The Fairy Meadows Road is a narrow, unpaved jeep track in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region that ascends from the Karakoram Highway at Raikot Bridge to the trailhead of Fairy Meadows, a lush alpine grassland at 3,300 meters directly beneath the massive Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth-highest mountain. The 16-kilometer road clings to sheer cliff faces with no guardrails, barely wide enough for a single vehicle, and drops hundreds of meters into the gorge below.
Widely considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world, the Fairy Meadows Road was carved out of the mountainside and sees regular rockfalls, washouts, and collapses. Only experienced local jeep drivers attempt the full route, and even they sometimes refuse when conditions deteriorate. Despite the terror of the approach, the reward is extraordinary: Fairy Meadows offers one of the most spectacular mountain views on the planet, with Nanga Parbat's Rupal Face—the highest rock wall in the world at over 4,600 meters—towering directly above.
Where is it?
Fairy Meadows Road is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan (asia). Coordinates: 35.3756, 74.5889
Driving Tips
Only hire local jeep drivers who know the road. Do not attempt to drive yourself. Many travelers choose to hike the final section instead. The road is closed in winter. Carry all supplies as there are none along the route. Start early to avoid afternoon rockfall risk. From the trailhead, it is a 3-hour hike to Fairy Meadows.
Road Surface
Unpaved dirt and rock
Road Details
- Country
- Pakistan
- Continent
- asia
- Region
- Gilgit-Baltistan
- Length
- 16 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,300 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Surface
- Unpaved dirt and rock
- Best Season
- May to October
- Coordinates
- 35.3756, 74.5889
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