{{Short description|Mountain pass in northern Pakistan}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=May 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox mountain pass | name = Babusar Pass | other_name = | photo = File:View from Babusar top 2.jpg | photo_caption = | elevation_m = 4173 | elevation_ref = | traversed = 1000x25px N-15 National Highway | location =Diamer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan | map = Gilgit Baltistan #Pakistan | map_caption = Location in Gilgit Baltistan##Location in Pakistan | range = | coordinates = {{Coord|35|8|46.46|N|74|2|53.41|E|type:pass|display=inline,title}} | topo = |native_name={{Nastaliq|درہ بابوسر}} }} '''Babusar Pass''' ({{langx|ur|{{nq|درہ بابوسر}}|Dara-ē-Bābūsar}}), also known as '''Babusar Top''', is a mountain pass in northern Pakistan connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit-Baltistan. It is located at an altitude of {{convert|4173|m|ft}} at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley in Mansehra District, connecting it with Chilas in Diamer District through the Karakoram Highway (KKH).<ref name="Dawn 2017-07-18">{{Cite web |last=Nagri |first=Jamil |date=2017-07-18 |title=Tourist spot in Gilgit-Baltistan claims 21 lives this summer |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1345704 |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=Dawn |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaikh |first=Ismail |date=2015-12-04 |title=From Germany to Layyah: Pakistani completes 10,000km journey on bicycle |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1001196/from-germany-to-layyah-pakistani-completes-10000km-journey-on-bicycle |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Salman |date=2019-07-23 |title=Mansehra-Naran-Chilas Road: a drive through an earthly Paradise |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/435634/mansehra-naran-chilas-road-a-drive-through-an-earthly-paradise/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
Babusar Pass is the highest point in Kaghan Valley that can be easily accessed by cars. It is one of the most dangerous routes in Pakistan. Every year, a number of casualties in road accidents are reported from this mountainous terrain. The most common reason for accidents is brake failure of vehicles in this steep landscape due to inexperience.<ref name="Dawn 2017-07-18" /> Babusar Top was originally known as Babur Top, originating from the fact that the Mughal emperor Babur passed through this area in the early 16th century. Nowadays however, it is commonly referred to as Babusar Top.<ref>{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=Travelling to Gilgit Baltistan via Babusar Pass |url=http://www.skardu.pk/travelling-car-gilgit-baltistan-via-babusar-pass/ |website=www.skardu.pk |publisher=SKardu.pk |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> thumb|View from Babusar Top
== Climate == The Kaghan Valley, with its summers from May to September, typically experiences a maximum temperature of 11°C (52°F) in May, with a minimum temperature of 3°C (37°F). From mid-July until the end of September, the road north of Naran remains accessible all the way to the Babusar Pass.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} However, movement is limited during the monsoon and winter seasons. The Kaghan area is well connected by road to Islamabad and Peshawar.
During winter, the pass often closes due to heavy snowfall and harsh conditions. Instead, travellers typically use the Karakoram Highway to access the northern regions of the country.
== Geography == left|thumb|A monument showing brief information on the route and distances from Babusar Top to various locations. The mountain ranges that enter the Mansehra District from Kashmir are the offshoots of the great Himalayan system. In the Kaghan Valley, the mountain system is the highest in the area, including the Babusar Top. This range flanks the right bank of the Kunhar River, and contains a peak called Malika Parbat, which is over 17,000 feet high <ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaman |first=Fahim |date=2020-11-29 |title=Death of a River |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1592896 |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=Dawn |language=en}}</ref> and the highest in the valley.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-08-02 |title=The great ascent: Danish diplomat, local climber scale Malika Parbat |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/416912/the-great-ascent-danish-diplomat-local-climber-scale-malika-parbat |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
On the mountains, the grasslands nomads migrate during the summer for grazing by their sheep, goats, and other animals. On the north side, there are mountains that are extensions of the same mountain system as the Kaghan Mountains. This range diverges from the eastern side at Musa ka Musalla, a peak at an elevation of around 13,500 feet, which skirts the north end of the Bhogarmang and Konsh valleys and sends down a spur to divide the two. Here also, like Kaghan, thick forests are naturally present, especially on the higher slopes. However, due to extensive exploitation, thick forests are now usually found in unapproachable areas. thumb|right|Majestic view from Babusar Top thumb|right|Babusar Road is open only from April to September every year. thumb|right|National Highway N-15 has abrupt direction changes which is a challenge for drivers who use this route to reach Gilgit thumb|View of Babusar Valley from the top of Babusar Pass.
==See also== {{commons category}} * Khunjerab Pass * Burzil Pass * Khyber Pass * Sazeen
==References== {{Reflist}} {{Mountain passes of Pakistan}}
Category:Diamer District Category:Mountain passes of Gilgit-Baltistan Category:Mansehra District Category:Mountain passes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa