List of Mountain Ranges of Pakistan

Mountain Ranges of Pakistan; Overview

Pakistan is a country blessed with some of the world’s most magnificent mountain ranges, many of which rise above 7,000 meters (about 23,000 feet). Among these are five of the world’s fourteen peaks exceeding 8,000 meters, known as the “eight-thousanders.” Four of these towering giants are located near Concordia, a famous confluence of glaciers in northern Pakistan.

The majority of Pakistan’s tallest peaks are part of the Karakoram Range. This range is home to K2, which at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) is the second-highest mountain on Earth. In the Himalayan Range within Pakistan, Nanga Parbat stands as the highest peak at 8,126 meters (26,660 feet), ranking ninth worldwide.

Below is a list of significant mountain ranges either fully or partially located within Pakistan’s borders:

1. Karakoram Range

• Location: Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan
• Highest Peak: K2 (8,611 meters / 28,251 feet) – Second-highest mountain in the world
• Notable Features: Home to some of the highest glaciers outside the polar regions; contains four 8,000+ meter peaks including Broad Peak and Gasherbrum I & II.

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2. Himalaya Range

• Location: Northeastern Pakistan (mainly Astore and Diamer districts in Gilgit-Baltistan)
• Highest Peak: Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters / 26,660 feet) – Ninth-highest mountain in the world
• Notable Features: Known as the “Killer Mountain” due to its challenging climbs; forms the westernmost end of the Himalayas.

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3. Hindu Kush Range

• Location: Northern and northwestern Pakistan (mainly Chitral and parts of Gilgit-Baltistan)
• Highest Peak: Tirich Mir (7,708 meters / 25,289 feet) – Highest in the Hindu Kush
• Notable Features: Extends into Afghanistan; geologically part of the larger Himalayan mountain system.

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4. Hindu Raj Range

• Location: Between Hindu Kush and Karakoram in northern Pakistan
• Highest Peak: Koyo Zom (6,872 meters / 22,546 feet)
• Notable Features: Less explored range with rugged terrain; acts as a natural barrier between Chitral and Gilgit.

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5. Spīn Ghar (Safed Koh) Range

• Location: Along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border near Khyber Pass
• Highest Peak: Mount Sikaram (4,755 meters / 15,600 feet)
• Notable Features: Marks the junction between the Hindu Kush and Sulaiman ranges; has historical significance due to proximity to ancient trade routes.

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6. Sulaiman Mountains

• Location: Western Pakistan, mainly in Balochistan and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Highest Peak: Takht-e-Sulaiman (3,487 meters / 11,440 feet)
• Notable Features: Holds cultural and religious significance; separates the Indus plains from Balochistan Plateau.

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7. Margalla Hills

• Location: Northern Punjab, near Islamabad
• Highest Peak: Tilla Charouni (1,604 meters / 5,262 feet)
• Notable Features: A protected national park and popular hiking area; foothills of the Himalayas.

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8. Salt Range

• Location: Northern Punjab, between the Jhelum and Indus Rivers
• Highest Peak: Sakesar (1,522 meters / 4,993 feet)
• Notable Features: Rich in rock salt deposits; hosts historical and archaeological sites such as Katas Raj Temples.

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9. Toba Kakar Range

• Location: Northwestern Balochistan, along the Afghanistan border
• Highest Peak: Exact peak not documented, but elevations exceed 3,000 meters (approx.)
• Notable Features: A southern offshoot of the Hindu Kush; mostly barren and rugged terrain.

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10. Makran Range

• Location: Coastal Balochistan, extending into Iran
• Highest Peak: Mount Zarain (approx. 2,470 meters / 8,100 feet)
• Notable Features: Semi-desert region rising from the Arabian Sea; geologically active with occasional earthquakes.

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11. Ras Koh Range

• Location: Central Balochistan
• Highest Peak: Not officially documented, but elevations range around 2,000 meters
• Notable Features: Arid and remote region; site of Pakistan’s first nuclear tests (Ras Koh Hills).

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12. Chagai Range

• Location: Western Balochistan near the Iran-Afghanistan border
• Highest Peak: No officially recognized peak, elevations range 2,000–3,000 meters
• Notable Features: Known for its volcanic origin and location of Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests.

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13. Kirthar Range

• Location: Along the Sindh-Balochistan border
• Highest Peak: Zardak Peak (2,260 meters / 7,415 feet)
• Notable Features: Gorakh Hill Station (1,734 meters) is a major tourist destination; forms a natural boundary between Sindh and Balochistan.

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14. Kirana Hills

• Location: Chiniot and Rabwah in Punjab
• Highest Peak: No prominent peak; elevations under 300 meters (approx. 980 feet)
• Notable Features: Small rocky hill range; site of Kirana-I nuclear tests conducted in the 1980s.

Pakistan’s diverse landscape is defined by its majestic mountain ranges that span from the towering peaks of the north to the rugged hills of the south. These ranges not only shape the country’s geography but also play a vital role in its climate, water resources, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.

From the mighty Karakoram and Himalayas to the historically significant Sulaiman and Salt Ranges, each range holds unique geographical and ecological importance. Understanding these mountains offers deeper insight into Pakistan’s natural richness and its strategic significance in the region.