Rattu to Shounter

Beginning at Thalichi Bridge on the Astore Road, the Shounter Road, also known as Rattu Road, unfolds like a living corridor of natural beauty and cultural memory. It meanders beneath the towering presence of Nanga Parbat, turning toward Rattu alongside a river-fed valley defined by the confluence of the Kalapani and Mir Malik streams, collectively referred to as the Rattu River. This winding journey offers a stunning portrait of the Diamer-Astore District, where terraced fields, wooden homes, stone walls, cascading streams, and wildflower meadows reflect the resilience and rhythm of local life.

The route traces an ancient seasonal path that once connected Astore to Azad Kashmir, historically known as the Shounter Road. With plans underway for the Shounter Tunnel, this trail may soon evolve into a transformative highway linking Gilgit-Baltistan with Independent Kashmir. This proposed development holds immense promise, not only as a strategic passage but also as a cultural and economic revival between two regions long bound by geography and heritage. 

Tourists traversing this road are constantly drawn to the trout-filled river that runs beside them, inviting moments of pause, reflection, and immersion in a landscape that feels untouched and eternal. In this tranquil yet powerful setting, the past and future of regional connectivity meet, offering both a breathtaking journey and a glimpse into a reawakening frontier

ZaheerChaudhry