Leswa Bypass Alternative route to Neelum Valley
By the way, there is only one way to go to Neelum valley which is called Neelam road. Neelum valley largest district of Azad Kashmir, The valley extends for approximately 200 kilometers along the Neelum river . It starts from Muzaffarabad capital of Azad Kashmir and goes to Athmuqam Tehsil, Sharda Tehsil, end at last village Taobat but today I will take you on an alternative route to Neelum valley.
From Muzaffarabad, when you start your journey towards Neelum, a paved road turns left from Develian village. This road is actually a defensive road and is used as an alternative Bypass route called Leswa Bypass Leswa Gali (highest bypass in Neelum valley) during firing. the old road passes close to Indian Army position Line of control with Pakistan, it is impossible to use it safely. To avoid sniper fire, an alternative bypass road (Leswa Bypass highest bypass in Neelum valley) Pak Army was constructed.
Earlier the condition of this road was very bad and it was not possible to travel but now this road has been completed and it is a carpeted road.
When you start your journey on this road, you can't imaging what nature wonder is waiting you ahead there are beautiful valleys, dense forests, cool springs, waterfalls, high peaks and a Sar lake on this road.
Leswa bypass is one of the toughest ascending in Neelum valley. As the road is getting higher and higher, the forest of pine trees are growing. The poplar and walnut trees are also helping the pines to enhance the beauty of the forest and on the mountain slopes they looked very beautiful. you will see beautiful houses on the side of the road that looked beautiful on the forest and mountain slopes. you can seen Neelum river, peaks and villages house of Azad Kashmir and Jammu Kashmir. finally after a long drive you reach top to enter densest forests Cho Gali, Leswa gali then start descending toward Leswa Kathian village. the bill eating road, which is an example of its beauty, passes between houses. reach to Leswa village where there is a market and the necessities of life are available.
There are two big waterfalls in Leswa village for which you have to travel by jeep and some on foot. their name is Paja waterfall and Bekri waterfall. from Leswa village you can hire a jeep to see highest point of Leswa valley called Khoi Ki Mali/ Mali peak where you can see snow caped mountains Makra peak, Badri Gali, Morian Gali, Chhambar Gali, Gunja Pahaar/ Neela Ganja 4490 m, Chunj Pahari/Chunj peak, Kalarsar peak, Jabian Danna, Shikar peak, Ganja peak, Nimali peak, Pir Chinasi, Pir Hasimar, Shamshabari Range, Kazinag/Qazinag peak and Pir Panjal range.
Continue drive along with water stream and beautiful view of surrounding. finally you join Neelum road near Neelum river. Due to this new route Leswa bypass travelling time between Develian village to Athmuqam heavily increased and distance will cover 70 km. on old Neelum road distance 25 km between Develian village to Athmuqam. In these day on May 2021, the road condition is not good land sliding on many places.
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