Quick Answer
Razdan Pass (also Razdan Top or Rajdhan Pass) is at about 3,550 m (11,667 ft) on the Bandipora-Gurez road in Bandipora district. It is the only road into the Gurez valley. Snow usually keeps it shut from about November until late May or June, and fresh snow can close it even in late spring, as it did in May 2025. The Border Roads Organisation clears it. Always check the day's status before setting out; we confirm it on WhatsApp for anyone travelling with us.
From Bandipora, near Wular Lake, the road climbs through forest and open slopes to the top of Razdan, then drops into the Kishanganga valley at Dawar. On a clear day you can see Harmukh from the pass. It is a proper mountain road: narrow in places, with snow walls early in the season, and best driven in an SUV with a driver who knows it.
Razdan Pass at a glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Height | About 3,550 m (11,667 ft) |
| District | Bandipora, North Kashmir |
| Road | Bandipora-Gurez road, the only road into Gurez |
| Usually open | Late May or June to October or November |
| Closed | Winter, for three to four months or more |
| Maintained by | Border Roads Organisation (BRO) |
Opening and closing dates change every year with the snow.
Razdan Pass road status
There is no fixed opening date. The road reopens once the BRO has cleared the snow and the weather allows, and it is closed again after the first heavy autumn snowfall. Short closures also happen in the open season after fresh snow or a blizzard at the top.
- Before you travel: check the day's status with the Bandipora district administration or the traffic advisory, or ask us. We check the pass the day before every Gurez departure.
- Start early: leave Srinagar or Bandipora in the morning so you cross the top in daylight.
- Weather turns fast: carry warm layers even in July; it is far colder at the top than in Srinagar.
Message us on WhatsApp with your travel date and we tell you what we know about the pass that week.
The drive from Srinagar over Razdan
| Leg | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Srinagar to Bandipora | About 60 km | Past Wular Lake |
| Bandipora to Razdan Pass | About 40 km | Long climb through forest to the top |
| Razdan Pass to Dawar (Gurez) | About 40 km | Down into the Kishanganga valley |
| Total | About 140 km, 5 to 6 hours | An SUV is recommended |
Distances are approximate; road conditions decide the time.
Book the cab alone on the Srinagar to Gurez taxi page (from ₹6,500 one way), or the full trip with stays on the Gurez tour package page.
Best time to cross Razdan Pass
- June to September: the most reliable months, with the road open and the Gurez valley green.
- Late May and October: possible, but fresh snow can close the pass for a day or more.
- November to April: usually closed by snow.
More on the season: best time to visit Gurez.
Permits, ID and safety
- Indian visitors need no advance permit for the Gurez open circuit as of 2026. Carry government photo ID for everyone; there are checkposts on the way.
- Foreign nationals should check the current rules with us before booking, as Gurez lies near the Line of Control.
- Mobile signal is weak on the pass and patchy beyond it.
- An 18 km tunnel between Bandipora and Gurez has been proposed for years to keep the valley open in winter; it is not built yet.
- Read more: is it safe to visit Gurez?
Crossing Razdan to Gurez?
Send your dates. We check the pass, then quote the cab, stays and meals for your Gurez trip. Trips from ₹6,500 cab.
Further reading from Kashmir Pulse
- Gurez Valley Kashmir 2026-27: The Permit-Only Valley Almost No Tourist Reaches
Gurez Valley is a high-altitude valley in Bandipora district, 120km north of Srinagar, accessible June to early October when the Razdan Pass...
- Srinagar to Gurez Valley: Distance & Complete Guide
Gurez Valley in Bandipore district sits 86 km from Bandipora town, near the Line of Control. It's accessible only from June to October. The...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the height of Razdan Pass?
About 3,550 m (11,667 ft) above sea level.
Is Razdan Pass open now?
It is usually open from late May or June to October or November, but closes after heavy snow. Ask us on WhatsApp with your date and we check the current status.
Where is Razdan Pass?
In Bandipora district, North Kashmir, on the Bandipora-Gurez road about 40 km beyond Bandipora.
How long is the drive from Srinagar to Gurez over Razdan?
About 140 km and 5 to 6 hours each way.
Is Razdan Pass safe to drive?
Yes in the open season with an experienced local driver and an SUV. Cross it in daylight and turn back if snow is forecast.
Do I need a permit to cross Razdan Pass?
Indian visitors need no advance permit for the Gurez open circuit as of 2026; carry photo ID. Foreign nationals should check with us first.
Can you see snow at Razdan Top in summer?
Early in the open season, usually around June, snow can still lie beside the road and on the slopes around the top. Later in summer it is mostly gone.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked October 2026
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.