Leepa Valley AJK
Leepa valley is located in the Hattian Bala district of Azad Kashmir in Pakistan at an altitude of 10000 ft (3000 m), and 45 km (28 mi) away from Muzaffarabad.
It is one of the quietest and most peaceful places away from the hustle and bustles of the cities, where tourists come to spend holidays and release their daily workloads and pressures.
A branch road off for Leepa valley from Naily Valley, that first climbs over the Reshian Gali that is situated at a 3200 m altitude and then descends to about 1600 m on the other side into the Leepa Valley Azad Kashmir. It is one of the best places to visit in Summer to avoid heat in Azad Kashmir.
Places to visit in Leepa Valley, AJK
There are not too many destinations to visit or explore but if you are a nature lover and want new destinations to explore so you must visit Leepa Valley as well and believe me you will get lost in its beauty. There are three famous villages named Reshian, Dao Khan, and Chananian that you should visit at any cost.
Reshian village
It is situated 67 km west of Muzaffarabad and is also the entry point to the valley Leepa, this Reshian village is located at 1674 m (5492 ft) above sea level. From Reshian onwards You can hire a four-by-four jeep to travel to Leepa Valley and all its surroundings.
Chananian Village
Chananian village is located near the Line of Control (LOC) at a height of 2226 m (7300 ft) from sea level. This village is located in the dense forest of tall pine trees where Qazi Naag Naalah adds to its beauty.
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Dao Khan village
Dao Khan has located about 75 km from Muzaffarabad and is very famous among tourists for its immense beauty. It is known as the most peaceful and quiet place with a cool environment that offers panoramic and striking views of its outstanding natural beauty.
Leepa village
It is located in the center of Leepa Valley and gets an altitude of 1921 m (6300 ft). It requires about 38 km to reach from Reshian and almost 60 km from Nail. Its grooming rice fields or which are known as rice terraces, and unique Kashmiri-styled wooden houses attract tourists from all over the world.
It is also a house of tasty and sweet fruit trees that include apple, walnut, and cherry. Locals also sell honey that they derive from dense forests.
Routes towards Leepa Valley
There are three roads or routes that can lead you to Leepa valley. First is the zigzagging defense road that connects the valley at Hanjna via Barthwar Gali or Bali camp. This route is also famous for its 72 U-turns in tourists.
This area is dense forestry where you can see a large number of military vehicles, and about 400 jeeps ply on this route daily while passengers on motorbikes are also increasing day by day.
The second route is a shortcut to Leepa valley's most important commercial center the Kappa Gali via Panjal Gali. But it is a 15 km long stony path is well that is 10000 ft high approximately.
The third route enters the valley at Muji area via Sher Gali that starts from Dao Khan village. This is the place where soldiers of both armies Pak. and Ind. stand eye to eye.
All of these three passages get blocked in the winter season due to heavy snowfall.
Muzaffarabad to Leepa Valley, AJK
It takes about 4 hours to reach Leepa valley by driving on the S-3 highway from Muzaffarabad the beautiful capital of Azad Kashmir as it is situated about 100 km from Muzaffarabad.
Why Leepa Valley is Famous
Leepa valley spell bounds of marvelous and spectacular views to everyone who visits here and tourists bring back everlasting memories of the sights and hospitability of locals. It is also famous for scenic terraces of fields at the top of the peaks.
Swiftly flowing streams like nullah Qazi Nag are the major source of its crystal clear water to the valley. This nullah emerges from Indian-occupied Kashmir and waters the whole valley.
The Yellow, green, and orange colors of high walnut trees that are spread all over the Leepa valley add to its scenic beauty. There are a large number of herbs and shrubs also reasoned to its miraculous beauty to change of colors in the autumn season.
People's way of life
When you see the architecture of 3 story houses here it gives a real feel of its true extension to Indian-Occupied Kashmir. The people here are very religious and they speak Kashmiri and Hindko while the Urdu language is widely spoken and understood here as well.
Inhabitants in the valley are very hardworking and most of them are indulged in farming, cattle rearing, and tourism-related services.
Industry
There are a large number of water-driven flour mills in the paradise-like Leepa valley that are the only kind of industry here. This valley is also famous for its delicious white honey.
Crops
The Kashmiri red rice is the staple food of residence here grown in October by farmers.
Peaks
The highest peak in this area is Shamasa Bari, which remains snowbound the year around.
Fruits
Different kinds of apples like Golden apple, Kala Kullo, and walnuts are the famous fruits here that people here sell to different markets of the country. The highly tempting taste of fruits that this area produces is comparable to none.
Winter Season and inhabitants
A village elder told if someone dies in the winter season we can't bury him due to heavy snow and we had to wait for about four months till then we burry the body into the snow.
In the summer season, Leepa valley becomes tourists heaven and offers some striking views while in the winter season living here is quite harsh and difficult as heavy snow covers everything here. Locals have to store food in advance for this winter season every year for the battle of their survival.
Leepa Valley photo galery
Conclusion
Although Leepa valley Azad Kashmir is a house of poor infrastructure and lack of industrialization, this valley can surpass even developed areas of the country by working in its tourism sector as Nature has endowed Leepa Valley with all of its blessings.