Quick Answer
Sadhna Pass, also called Sadhna Top and earlier Nastachun Pass, is at about 3,100 m (around 10,270 ft) on National Highway 701, roughly 48 km from Kupwara town. It is the only road link between the Kashmir valley and Karnah tehsil (Tangdhar and Teetwal). Heavy snow usually closes it from about December to April. Visitors who do not live in Kupwara need a Karnah e-pass from the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, which is checked at Chowkibal and at the pass.
The road climbs from Chowkibal through forest and switchbacks to the top, then drops steeply into the Kishanganga valley at Tangdhar. The old name, Nasta Chun, means "cut nose" in Kashmiri; the pass became known as Sadhna Top after the actress Sadhana visited in the 1960s. Today most people cross it on the way to the Sharda temple at Teetwal.
Sadhna Pass at a glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Height | About 3,100 m (around 10,270 ft) |
| Old name | Nastachun (Nasta Chun) |
| Road | NH701, Kupwara to Chowkibal, Sadhna Top and Tangdhar |
| From Kupwara | About 48 km |
| Usually closed | About December to April, by snow |
| Permit | Karnah e-pass for non-residents of Kupwara |
Sources give the height between 3,000 and 3,230 m; about 3,100 m is the common figure.
Sadhna Pass road status
The pass is avalanche-prone and closes after heavy snow; Karnah is usually cut off by road for part of every winter. In the open season, closures after fresh snow or rain are short but do happen. Official data shows 11 accidents at the pass and its approaches over 2023 to 2025, so drive it with care.
- Check the day's status with the Kupwara district administration, the traffic advisory, or with us before you leave.
- Leave early from Srinagar or Kupwara so you cross in daylight, and plan to be heading back from Teetwal by late afternoon.
- Brakes: the descent to Tangdhar is long and steep. Drivers usually stop at Tangdhar to let the brakes cool.
A 6 km tunnel under the pass has been approved to keep Karnah open all year; the contract for its detailed project report was awarded in March 2026. Until it is built, the open road is the only way in.
Karnah e-pass for Sadhna Pass, Tangdhar and Teetwal
- 1Apply online on the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara e-permission portal (epass.kupwara.co.in) and select Karnah as the destination. Other options do not give a valid pass for Teetwal.
- 2Allow about four to five days for approval.
- 3Carry the original pass and four printed copies; it is checked at Chowkibal, at Sadhna Pass and at checkpoints beyond.
- 4Carry government photo ID for everyone travelling.
- 5Foreign nationals and OCI card holders: documents are verified at the DC office in Kupwara. Check with us before planning.
Rules can change; we confirm the current process when you book.
Where the road leads: Tangdhar and Teetwal
- Tangdhar: the main town of the Karnah valley, just below the pass.
- Teetwal: a village on the Kishanganga river at the Line of Control, home to the Sharda temple rebuilt in 2023. Full guide: Teetwal travel guide.
- Karnah valley: terraced villages and orchards along the river, with very few visitors.
For the Kupwara side of the pass, including Lolab and Bangus, see the Kupwara guide.
Crossing Sadhna Pass with Via Kashmir
We plan private trips from Srinagar over Sadhna Pass to Tangdhar and Teetwal: an experienced mountain driver, a checked road, and the e-pass steps explained before you go. A Teetwal trip is about 167 km each way from Srinagar, so most people stay a night in Karnah. Send your dates and group size and we reply with a fixed, itemised quote.
Going over Sadhna Pass?
Send your dates and group size. We check the pass, explain the Karnah e-pass and quote a private trip to Tangdhar and Teetwal.
Further reading from Kashmir Pulse
- Bangus Valley Kashmir: The Alpine Meadow at 3,000m That Most Visitors Never Find
Bangus Valley is a high-altitude alpine meadow in Kupwara district, approximately 100km north-west of Srinagar via Sopore and Handwara. It...
- Lolab Valley: Kashmir's Most Beautiful Valley That Tourism Forgot
Lolab Valley in Kupwara district sits 100 km north of Srinagar and has none of the trappings of a tourist destination: no pony wallah...
- Bangus Valley: Kashmir's Most Remote Meadow (Complete Guide)
Bangus Valley in Kupwara district, 120 km from Srinagar, has no hotels, no ATM, and no cell signal. Two high-altitude meadows, nomadic...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the height of Sadhna Top?
About 3,100 m, or around 10,270 ft. Sources differ slightly, from about 3,000 m to 3,230 m.
Why is it called Sadhna Pass?
Its old name is Nastachun, meaning "cut nose". It became known as Sadhna Top after the actress Sadhana visited in the 1960s.
Is Sadhna Pass open in winter?
Usually not. Heavy snow closes it, and Karnah is generally cut off by road from about December to April.
Do I need a permit to cross Sadhna Pass?
Yes, if you do not live in Kupwara: a Karnah e-pass from the DC Kupwara portal, checked at Chowkibal and at the pass.
How far is Sadhna Pass from Kupwara?
About 48 km by road on NH701.
Is there a tunnel at Sadhna Pass?
Not yet. A 6 km tunnel is approved, and the detailed project report contract was awarded in March 2026.
Can we visit Teetwal in one day from Srinagar?
It is possible but long, about 167 km and 5 to 6 hours each way over the pass. A night in Karnah is more comfortable.
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.