Mughal Road connects Shopian in South Kashmir to Banihal across the Pir Panjal at 3,490m — and opens mid-May each year. Here is what the drive actually looks like when the snow clears, what Peer ki Gali feels like at the top, and whether the rough road is worth it.
In This Article
**Quick Answer:** Mughal Road is an 84km mountain highway connecting Shopian in South Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu, crossing the Pir Panjal range at Peer ki Gali pass (3,490m). It typically opens in mid-May after snow clearance and closes by November. In summer, the road passes through open alpine meadow country — less visited than Gulmarg or Sonamarg, with almost no tourist infrastructure along the route itself.
**At a Glance** | | | |---|---| | **Route** | Shopian (South Kashmir) to Banihal (Jammu division) | | **Total distance** | ~84km | | **Highest point** | Peer ki Gali pass — 3,490m | | **Opens** | Mid-May (snow clearance dependent) | | **Closes** | October–November | | **Drive time** | 2.5–4 hours | | **From Srinagar** | 60km to Shopian entry; 2 hours |
The first time I drove Mughal Road was a May years back when someone told me the pass had just cleared. The snow walls on either side of the road at Peer ki Gali were still three metres high. We drove through a white corridor at 3,490 metres with a wind that made the car shudder, and at the top we stopped and made tea on a portable stove because there was nothing else up there. There still isn't. That is the thing about Mughal Road — it has not been developed. It has been opened, maintained, and left largely alone.
Is Mughal Road Open in May 2026?
The road typically clears between 10–20 May depending on snowfall depth. In 2026, winter snowfall in the Pir Panjal was above average — official clearance was confirmed in the second week of May. As of 18 May 2026, the road is open to traffic. Conditions at Peer ki Gali can change quickly even in June; check with the BRO (Border Roads Organisation) checkpoint at Shopian entry before driving in early season. The road closes when the first heavy snowfall blocks the pass — usually October.
What Does the Mughal Road Drive Actually Look Like?
The Shopian side is farmland for the first section — apple orchards, villages, the low drumlin landscape of South Kashmir. Then the road starts climbing through pine and fir forest, and the valley drops away below. By the time you're at mid-altitude, the tree line has thinned and the meadows open. Peer ki Gali itself is exposed — open ridge country with views west into the Pir Panjal range and east back toward the Kashmir valley. There are nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal encampments scattered across the high meadows from May onward; in June and July these become dense enough that you see tent clusters and sheep flocks across every high meadow visible from the road.
Mughal Road vs Srinagar–Sonamarg: Which Is More Scenic?
**Mughal Road vs Srinagar–Sonamarg** | | Mughal Road | Srinagar–Sonamarg | |---|---|---| | Highest point | 3,490m (Peer ki Gali) | ~2,740m (Sonamarg) | | Tourist density | Very low | Moderate to high | | As a day trip | Not ideal (too long one-way) | Yes | | As a through-route | Yes (to Jammu or Banihal) | No (dead-end) | | Meadow character | Open ridge, Gujjar territory | Glaciated valley, more dramatic | Sonamarg is more dramatic and easier to reach. Mughal Road is emptier and gives a genuine sense of crossing the Pir Panjal — a different quality of experience.
How to Drive Mughal Road: A Practical Guide
- Leave Srinagar by 7am at the latest — the Srinagar to Shopian drive is roughly 2 hours. An early start gives you time at the pass before midday cloud builds.
- Fuel up in Shopian. There are no petrol stations on the road itself. Fill up completely before entering the mountain section.
- Check the BRO checkpoint. They record vehicles and advise on road conditions. In early season (May–June), verify whether the road is fully passable.
- Drive through without rushing. The 84km takes 2.5–4 hours. Carry water and food — no restaurants or dhabas on the mountain section.
- Plan your end point. Mughal Road ends at Banihal, connecting to the Srinagar–Jammu NH. Most visitors return to Srinagar via the NH (2.5 hours from Banihal).
Via Kashmir arranges cabs for Mughal Road drives regularly — drivers who know where to stop, what to bring, and whether conditions are worth the trip on a given day. For verified local cabs, see [viakashmir.in/cabs](https://viakashmir.in/cabs).
What to Expect Along the Route in Summer
The stretch from mid-altitude to Peer ki Gali is the main draw — open meadows that in June and July are green enough that they look photographic even in flat light. The Bakarwal camps give the landscape a texture that no photo really captures: the sound of bells, the movement of flocks across the ridgeline, the smoke from a fire that you smell before you see. There are no lodges on the mountain section. At Peer ki Gali, local Gujjar families sometimes sell kahwa and bread — do not count on it, do not be surprised by it either. The Banihal side of the drive is drier and more abrupt; the landscape changes quickly once you descend past the treeline.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mughal Road, Kashmir
When does Mughal Road open in 2026, and is it currently accessible?
Mughal Road typically opens between 10–20 May depending on snow clearance by the Border Roads Organisation. In 2026 the road was confirmed open in the second week of May. As of 18 May 2026 the road is open to traffic, though early-season conditions at Peer ki Gali can change quickly. Verify at the BRO checkpoint in Shopian before driving.
How long does it take to drive Mughal Road from Srinagar?
From Srinagar, allow 2 hours to reach Shopian and begin the mountain section. The 84km from Shopian to Banihal takes 2.5–4 hours depending on conditions. A full out-and-back trip from Srinagar via Mughal Road and return via the NH1 is a long day — leave by 7am and expect to return by 6–7pm.
Is a 4WD necessary for Mughal Road in summer?
No. A standard vehicle (Innova, Dzire) can manage Mughal Road in summer when fully open. In May and early June when snow patches remain on the shoulder, higher ground clearance gives more confidence at the pass section. A Sumo or Innova is the most common choice for this route.
Is there accommodation on Mughal Road?
There is no hotel or guesthouse on the mountain section of Mughal Road. Most visitors staying in Srinagar hotels do Mughal Road as a day trip, returning via the NH1. For multi-day Kashmir itineraries that include Mughal Road, Via Kashmir builds it into the routing — ask at [viakashmir.in/enquire/general](https://viakashmir.in/enquire/general).
Why is it called Mughal Road?
The route is named for its historical use by Mughal emperors travelling between Lahore and their summer court in Srinagar. The Mughals used the Pir Panjal pass route to avoid the longer Banihal route. The modern tarmac road was completed in the 2000s; it follows roughly the same pass crossing used by Akbar, Jehangir, and Shah Jahan when coming to Kashmir.
Planning a trip to Kashmir? Via Kashmir offers custom itineraries, verified hotels, and local cab services — planned by people who live here.
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