Situated within the Swat Valley, Kalam is an incredibly stunning place, which is surrounded by alpine forests, waterfalls and glacial lakes. This pristine valley encloses a blue water river and green hills all around. Located at a distance of 99 km from Mingora City, it is an off-beat heaven for hikers during the summer months. Its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural beauty, scenic jeep rides, and majestic peaks of the Hindu Kush Mountains make it one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan.
This valley is accessible at any time of the year, but between June and August is the best time to visit Kalam Valley. From beautiful villages to lush forests, from busy downtown to blue water lakes, you can find everything in Kalam Valley. Ready to see it all? Here are 10 of the best places to visit in Kalam Valley.
Top 10 best places to visit in Kalam Valley
1: Boyun Village
Renowned for its rich culture and hospitable locals, Boyun village is a must-see destination for its fresh air and stunning landscapes. An easy and short live or up-hill walk from the Kalam town takes you there.
Upon reaching the pinnacle, you will witness the panorama of the most beautiful and vast village unlike any other. It is an easy day trip from the main town. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the sweeping views of the valley when you visit this place.
 Location: |  How to get there: |  Highlights: |
| At the distance of 62 miles from Mingora city | Up-slope stroll or a short drive from Kalam | Viewpoint of Kalam Valley |
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2: Ushu Forest
Ushu village is 8km away from the Kalam Valley, which earns its fame with rainforest. Ushu forest is a well-preserved forest, which consists of mainly Deodar trees. If you want to get lost in the tranquility of nature, this place has it all, like very few other forests in the world.
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear streams and lush green valleys, Ushu forest provides a picturesque view. It is undoubtedly the most photogenic location around Kalam, so photographers will likely be enthralled taking photos here.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| At the distance of 8 km from Kalam town | It can be reached by foot from Kalam | Camping at Ushu Forest, the picnic area overlooks the valley below, a diverse range of flora and fauna, and hiking trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys |
3: Blue Water
Blue Water Kalam, situated in Anakar village, approximately 6 kilometers from Kalam, is a picturesque destination accessible via a bridge on the way to Utror. Its name comes from a lake with blue hue water. Visitors can enjoy boating or leisure strolls around the lake.
The surrounding landscape showcases magnificent views of white glaciers and green hills with snow-covered towering mountains. Light trekking and camping near the lake offer an opportunity for those seeking a more adventurous experience. You can spend a night under the stars while camping. It is recommended to plan your trip between July and August, as winter can be harsh.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| Near Kalam town (around 5.4 km) | It is 20 minutes away from the main Kalam town by car | Hiking, camping, star gazing, and bonfire with B.B.Q. |
4: Kalam Bazar
Kalam Bazar, A.K.A. the downtown, is the main commercial center of the valley. Though it is small in size, you can find a variety of souvenir shops, general stores, pharmacies, cafes, restaurants and hotels. Serves as a high street for the locals and tourists, it gives you glimpses into the culture and lifestyle of the locals.
When you are in Kalam, a visit to this bustling bazaar is a highly recommended. From embroidered dresses to woolen caps and jewelry to locally made wool jackets, you can find almost anything for sale at this bazaar. It is also a good place to buy souvenirs to take home.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| Kalam Downtown | It can be reached by foot | Souvenir shops and delicious local food. |
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5: Utror
Utror, situated 9500 feet above sea level and 15 km from Kalam, is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and view of snow-capped mountains, making it perfect for trekking. It’s where the Gabral and Utror streams meet. Trekking from Utror to Kandol Lake unveils amazing views of snow-clad mountains and flowing nearby streams. Moreover, this place is also lauded for its scenic meadows.
Crystal-clear streams flow through the meadows offer breathtaking views to nature lovers. Enchanting mirror-like lake, Izmis Lake, is situated amid towering mountains and invites adventure enthusiasts to experience its unmatched beauty and great views. This valley is full of wooden bridges, walnut trees, and some riverside hotels that offer stunning views.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| 15 km from Kalam town | It is 50 minutes away from Kalam Valley by car. | Waterfalls, Izmis Lake, trekking from Utror to Kandol Lake |
6- Matiltan Waterfall
The renowned Matiltan Waterfall, or Mighty 22 Waterfall, is a major attraction for tourists visiting Kalam Valley. It is located 15 kilometres away from Mall Road in Kalam. It spans about 300 meters and originates from the pristine alpine lakes in the upper Matiltan area. It comes right before the famous Mahudand Lake.
Matiltan, a small village located in the foothills of the Hindu Kush Mountains, serves as a base for trekkers embarking on various trails, including the famous teardrop or Ansoo Lake. Despite its difficulty, the trek offers breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, rewarding adventurers with unforgettable experiences.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| It is at the distance of 15 from Kalam town | It can be reached by the eastern route of Ushu Valley, which takes 2 hours from Kalam town. | Base for many trekking trails, scenic views of the waterfall |
7-Desan Meadows
Desan Meadows is situated in Kalam Valley Swat, which is often overlooked by tourists despite its stunning beauty. Located approximately 330 km from Islamabad, it takes about 6 hours to reach directly from the capital city. Positioned on the route to Matiltan from Kalam City, Desan Meadows can be reached in about 20 minutes from Kalam.
Offering breathtaking vistas of lush green meadows and snow-capped mountains, it’s a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Kalam Valley, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| It is 3.4 km away from Kalam | It takes around 15 minutes to get there by car | Hiking trails, birdwatching, camping, views from Desan tops, picnic area, awe-inspiring expanse of alpine meadows |
8-Mahodand Lake and Saifullah Lake
Kalam Valley is known as the Valley of Lakes, and Mohodand Lake is the crown jewel of this valley, thanks to a Jeep track leading directly to the lake. Renowned for its cold waters and abundant trout, Mahodand Lake is situated approximately 40 kilometers above Kalam in the Ushu Matiltan valley.
Aside from its idyllic setting, visitors can admire numerous waterfalls, both large and small. Accessible via four-wheel drive vehicles, the lake serves as a prime fishing spot and is perfect for boating and camping amidst snowy mountains, verdant meadows, and dense forests. Saifullah Lake, just a 15-minute drive from Mahodand, offers equally stunning views and opportunities for boating and fishing during the summer months.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| Upper Usho Valley (Mahodand Lake), north of Kalam Valley (Saifullah Lake) | It takes 2 hours to get to Mahodand Lake from Kalam, and Saifullah Lake can be accessed through 4×4 vehicles or take 10 to 15 minutes by trekking to reach there from Mahodand Lake | Blue Water Lake with bright green meadows (Mohandad Lake) trout fishing and crystal clear water lake (Saifullah Lake), and camping at Mohandad and Saifullah Lake |
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9-Kandol and Spinkhor Lake
Kandol and Spinkhor (also known as Spin Khwa) lakes offer a quieter option for those seeking solitude and enjoy trekking. The Kundol Lake is located at a distance of 20 kilometres from Kalam and can be accessed via the Laddu Valley through a trek. It also lies in the foothills of the Hindu Kush Mountains and is accessible via the valley of Laddu through a trekking of 2 hours.
Locals share a fascinating myth about a large golden bowl that mysteriously appears on moonless nights, shining like pale moonlight across the lake’s surface before vanishing. Like Kandol Lake, Soinkhor Lake is also located in Laddu village and lies at the foothills of the Hindukush Mountains at an altitude of 3190 meters. Tucked away in the valley, it boasts stunning scenery, surrounded by lush green mountains and offers a serene escape.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| North of Utror Valley (Kandol Lake), Ladu Valley of Kalam (Spinkhor Lake) | Kandol Lake can be accessed by Jeep track or a 2-hour hike from Laddu Valley. Spinkhor Lake is only accessible by trek from Laddu Valley. | Perfect for camping during summertime (Kundol Lake), and Spinkhor Lake is famous for trekking and sightseeing. |
10- Shahi Bagh
Another popular tourist attraction is Shahi Bagh, which is not easily accessible but worth every second of the journey on a perilous 4×4 track. It is a beautiful meadow, which is located near Gabral Village. The drive distance of Shahi Bagh is 3.5 hours from the main Kalam Town. This stunning meadow is only 9km away from the village of Gabral. The serenity and peace of this magical place make it the best place for camping. Shahi Bagh is also a great place for trekking.
The Gen Shang Banda and Mushroom Lake are two nearby trekking sites that offer breathtaking views and provide a challenging yet rewarding experience to the trekkers. The former is an hour’s trek from this stunning meadow, while the latter takes more than 12 hours to reach if you are a seasoned trekker. It’s recommended to accompany a local guide when embarking on the trek to Mashroom Lake from Gabral.
| Location: | How to get there: | Highlights: |
| 30km from Kalam Valley | It takes around 3.5 hours from Kalam by car or jeep | Trekking to Gen Shang Banda and Mushroom Lake and camping at Shahi Bagh |
The Bottom Line:
Kalam Valley is one of the best places to visit in Swat Valley, thanks to its beautiful landscape and rich culture. No Swat Valley trip is completed without visiting this enchanting valley, which is an ideal escape for family vacationers, solo travelers, couplers, and backpackers.
The roads leading to Kalam are well-developed, making it more accessible than other places in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Spend a couple of days in this valley and explore its natural beauty. Have you been to Kalam Valley yet? How was your experience? Share your experience in the comments below!
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About Author:
Sondus Ubin
Sondus Ubin is a freelance lifestyle writer specializing in travel and food. With nearly 10 years of experience in lifestyle content creation, her toes are dipped in the exciting world of travel and food. In her time working as a travel writer, she has had the opportunity to interact with frequent travelers and travel photographers. All that knowledge she gains and her passion for travel make it possible for her to bring you informative yet fun travel content. Trust her words to help you plan your dream trip. She lives in Lahore, where she explores the city’s most intriguing, interesting, and unusual places and captures the beauty and essence of every place through her lens. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her giving her eyes a much-needed break from screens with a good book, painting landscapes, or trying out new recipes.