The trail info on this page is work in progress and will be updated regularly. Ultimately it should provide detailed trail information, including practicalities (transport, accommodation, guiding services) and maps with lots of geographical names and features.
-WARNING: TREKKERS ATTEMPTING TO HIKE THE PAMIR TRAIL DO THIS AT THEIR OWN RISK. MOUNTAIN TERRAIN AND WEATHER CHANGE ALL THE TIME AND TREKKERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST CONDITIONS. IF IN DOUBT, TURN BACK IF YOU CAN. THE CREATORS OF THE PAMIR TRAIL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE, INJURY, LOSS OR DEATH-
THE PAMIR TRAIL
Start and end: Shing - Vrang
Distance: 1310 km
Elevation gain: 61,000 m
Stages: 79
GPX file for the full Pamir Trail
Video of the full length of the Pamir Trail in 3D
In 2024 we established the first full version of the Pamir Trail! This means it is possible to hike the entire length the route, 1310 kilometres in total with an elevation gain of 61,000 metres. But we keep looking for alternative routes, as the state of the terrain changes all the time. The current complete version of the Pamir Trail is shown on the map below. It gives you a sense which mountain ranges the trail passes across Tajikistan. It also shows the 9 different colour coded sections of the route.
SECTION 1: FANN MOUNTAINS
Shing - Saratoq * 154km * download stage descriptions * highest point Chimtarga Pass 4750m * trail beta stage 1-11
Marghuzor Lake, near Padrud - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 1: Shing - Padrud
Distance: 16.2km
Ascent: 800m
Descent: 342m
Trail: easy - dirt road
Tovasang Pass, 3305m - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 2: Padrud - Tovasang
Distance: 17.7km
Ascent: 1147m
Descent: 970m
Trail: moderate/hard - dirt road and clear trail
Looking into the Archamaydon Valley - pic C. Oriol
Stage 3: Tovasang - Zimtud
Distance: 22.7km
Ascent: 336m
Descent: 1171m
Trail: easy/moderate - dirt road and clear trail
Shepherd summer settlement near Igrok Pass
Stage 4: Zimtud - Camp Artuch
Distance: 13.1km
Ascent: 1240m
Descent: 619m
Trail: easy/moderate - dirt road and clear trail
Twisted juniper tree with Mirali Peak - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 5: Camp Artuch - Kuli Kalon
Distance: 5.3km
Ascent: 696m
Descent: 24m
Trail: moderate - clear trail
The upper lake of the Alauddin Lakes - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 6: Kuli Kalon - Alauddin
Distance: 10.9km
Ascent: 998m
Descent: 1026m
Trail: hard - clear and faded trails
The summit of Chimatarga, 5489m - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 7: Alauddin - Mutnyi
Distance: 5.1km
Ascent: 708m
Descent: 4m
Trail: easy - clear trails
The top of Chimatarga Pass at 4750m pic: C. Oriol
Stage 8: Mutnyi - Buzurg Alo
Distance: 13.2km
Ascent: 1227m
Descent: 1568m
Trail: hard - clear and faded trails
The Dugdon Range - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 9: Buzurg Alo - Archamaydon
Distance: 13.1km
Ascent: 147m
Descent: 1472m
Trail: moderate - dirt road and clear/faded trails
The stunning Archamaydon Valley - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 10: Archamaydon - Dugdon
Distance: 18.4km
Ascent: 1291m
Descent: 151m
Trail: moderate - mostly clear trails
The top of Dugdon Pass at 3810m - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 11: Dugdon - Saratoq
Distance: 20.8km
Ascent: 815m
Descent: 1454m
Trail: moderate/hard - clear and rough trails
Iskandarkul - pic: Eurasia.travel
Side trip: Saratoq - Iskandarkul
Distance: 11.4km return
Ascent: 332m
Descent: 332m
Trail: easy - dirt road and clear path
SECTION 2: HISOR TRAVERSE
Iskandarkul - Margheb * 180km * download stage descriptions * highest point Aghai Qul Pass 3851m *
Lush meadows towards Mura/Zombar - pic:J. Bakker
Stage 12: Saratoq - Zombar
Distance: 12.1km
Ascent: 793m
Descent: 131m
Trail: moderate - dirt track and mostly clear trails
Top of Mura/Zombar Pass at 3780m - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 13: Zombar - Qaratogh
Distance: 13.7km
Ascent: 765m
Descent: 1683m
Trail: hard - clear and rough/no trails
Qaratogh Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 14: Qaratogh - Payron
Distance: 17.7km
Ascent: 1042m
Descent: 461m
Trail: easy/moderate - clear path, some exposure
View of Payron Valley from Khonaqo - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 15: Payron - Khonaqo
Distance: 11.1km
Ascent: 1163m
Descent: 640m
Trail: hard - vague or no trails across pass
The Khonaqo Valley is spiky! - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 16: Khonaqo - Luchob
Distance: 12.3km
Ascent: 750m
Descent: 1855m
Trail: moderate/hard - clear and rough/no trails
Semi-wild horses on the Luchob pass - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 17: Luchob - Khoja Obi Garm
Distance: 16.6km
Ascent: 752m
Descent: 991m
Trail: easy - clear path
Crossing the Darai Kulol River - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 18: Khoja Obi Garm - Darai Kulol
Distance: 11km
Ascent: 440m
Descent: 537m
Trail: easy/moderate - road and clear/rough trails
The upper Darai Kulol Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 19: Darai Kulol - Soghdiana
Distance: 11.9km
Ascent: 1606m
Descent: 533m
Trail: hard - rough steep and vague trails
Approach of the Dushokha Pass - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 20: Soghdiana - Ganjdara
Distance: 11.5km
Ascent: 1373m
Descent: 1261m
Trail: very hard - rough, steep trails and no trails
Lolakul Lakes - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 21: Ganjdara - Lolakul
Distance: 18.3km
Ascent: 1159m
Descent: 757m
Trail: moderate - clear and some vague trails
The Tagobiqul Valley - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 22: Lolakul - Tagobiqul
Distance: 18.2km
Ascent: 559m
Descent: 1367m
Trail: moderate/hard - snow fields and variable trail
Sheep shearing near Qul Pass - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 23: Tagobiqul - Tagrich
Distance: 12.4km
Ascent: 1069m
Descent: 637m
Trail: easy/moderate - clear trail
Chilling out on the Tagrich Pass - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 24: Tagrich - Margheb
Distance: 16.6km
Ascent: 940m
Descent: 1508m
Trail: easy - clear trails and dirt track
SECTION 3: YAGHNOB AND ZARAFSHON
Margheb - Langar * 120km * download stage descriptions * highest point Ghuzn Pass 4020m * trail beta stage 25-31
The north side of Zamin Qaror - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 25: Margheb - Bidev
Distance: 20.5km
Ascent: 698m
Descent: 479m
Trail: easy - dirt track and clear trail
Abandoned Niva, Piskon village - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 26: Bidev - Piskon
Distance: 13.5km
Ascent: 713m
Descent: 591m
Trail: moderate - dirt track and clear trail
The glorious Yaghnob Valley- pic: J. Bakker
Stage 27: Piskon - Novobod
Distance: 21.9km
Ascent: 880m
Descent: 831m
Trail: moderate - variable trails
A glacier on the Ghuzn Pass
Stage 28: Novobod - Jayi Bolo
Distance: 10.4km
Ascent: 1426m
Descent: 1002m
Trail: hard - rough and no trails
On top of a 3885m Pass to Revut
Stage 29: Jayi Bolo - Marghashak
Distance: 18.5km
Ascent: 1040m
Descent: 1033m
Trail: easy/moderate - clear track and trail
The upper part of the Revut Valley
Stage 30: Marghashak - Revut
Distance: 14.5km
Ascent: 843m
Descent: 1425m
Trail: moderate - variable trails
The lower Revut Valley
Stage 31: Revut - Langar
Distance: 22.6km
Ascent: 376m
Descent: 760m
Trail: easy - clear track and trail
SECTION 4: UPPER ZARAFSHON AND RASHT
Langar - Dehai Hojiali * 122km * download stage descriptions * highest point Beob Pass 4030m * trail beta stage 32-28
The Zarafshon Valley
Stage 32: Langar - Pakshif
Distance: 36.2km
Ascent: 827m
Descent: 519m
Trail: easy - track and clear trails
Pakshif Gorge
Stage 33: Pakshif - Pakshif Gorge
Distance: 9km
Ascent: 588m
Descent: 33m
Trail: easy/moderate - clear trail
Ghorif Village
Stage 34: Pakshif Gorge - Ghorif
Distance: 17.2km
Ascent: 756m
Descent: 1613m
Trail: moderate - clear and vague trails
Namnarud ruins
Stage 35: Ghorif - Namnarud
Distance: 8.1km
Ascent: 193m
Descent: 275m
Trail: hard - vague overgrown trails
Looking north from Beob Pass
Stage 36: Namnarud - Beob
Distance: 12.4km
Ascent: 1999m
Descent: 568m
Trail: very hard - no trail, overgrown terrain
Darai Mazor
Stage 37: Beob - Navobod
Distance: 23.1km
Ascent: 281m
Descent: 2478m
Trail: moderate - clear and vague trails, track
Sangikar River
Stage 38: Navobod - Hojiali
Distance: 16.6km
Ascent: 153m
Descent: 104m
Trail: easy - Dirt track and minor road
SECTION 5: QAROTEGIN TRAVERSE
Dehai Hojiali - Jirgatol * 109km * download stage descriptions * highest point Pildon Pass 3654m * trail beta stage 39-44
Praying Mantis in the Kamarob Valley - pic: J. Bigé
Stage 39: Hojiali - Subotrud
Distance: 24.4km
Ascent: 729m
Descent: 78m
Trail: easy - clear track
A Soviet era snow measuring device - pic: J. Bigé
Stage 40: Subotrud - Hazorchashma
Distance: 10.8km
Ascent: 993m
Descent: 103m
Trail: easy/moderate - clear to vague trail
View from the Dashtikhirsun Pass - pic: J. Bigé
Stage 41: Hazorchashma - Safedob
Distance: 18.5km
Ascent: 604m
Descent: 1436m
Trail: moderate/hard - variable to no trails
A bridge near Hoit - pic: J. Bigé
Stage 42: Safedob - Kulikalon
Distance: 21.9km
Ascent: 584m
Descent: 474m
Trail: easy - clear track
High plateau around Pildon Jailoo - pic: J. Bigé
Stage 43: Kulikalon - Pildon
Distance: 14km
Ascent: 1534m
Descent: 252m
Trail: hard - no trails
Shepherd house near Pildon Pass - pic: J. Bigé
Stage 44: Pildon - Vahdat/Jirgatol
Distance: 19.9km
Ascent: 410m
Descent: 2025m
Trail: moderate - variable trails and clear track
SECTION 6A: RASHT TO DARVOZ - LOW ROUTE
Vahdat (Jirgatol) - Qalai Khumb * 144km * download stage descriptions * high point Psoda Pass 3851m * trail beta stage 45-52A
Looking back to the Rasht Valley - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 45: Vahdat - Dashti Murghon
Distance: 17km
Ascent: 940m
Descent: 370m
Trail: easy - road, clear track
Along the red Qaroshura River - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 46: Dashti Murghon - Vayzirek
Distance: 19.1km
Ascent: 891m
Descent: 380m
Trail: easy - clear track and trails
Landmine sign, check stage info! - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 47: Vayzirek - Puli Sangin
Distance: 16.8km
Ascent: 762m
Descent: 726m
Trail: moderate - variable trails
Approach to Gardani Kaftar Pass - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 48: Puli Sangin - Langar
Distance: 18.9km
Ascent: 904m
Descent: 1777m
Trail: hard - variable trails
Psoda Lake - pic: M. Merisi
Stage 49A: Langar - Psoda Lake
Distance: 19.2km
Ascent: 1217m
Descent: 294m
Trail: moderate - road and clear trails
Looking back from Psoda Pass - pic: M. Merisi
Stage 50A: Psoda Lake - Siyohdara
Distance: 10.2km
Ascent: 874m
Descent: 628m
Trail: hard - vague or no trails
Along the Siyohdara river - pic: M. Merisi
Stage 51A: Siyohdara - Gshun
Distance: 18.2km
Ascent: 226m
Descent: 1077m
Trail: moderate/hard - variable trails
Back in habitation - pic: M. Merisi
Stage 52A: Gshun - Qalai Khumb
Distance: 24.9km
Ascent: 169m
Descent: 1284m
Trail: easy - dirt track and rough road
———————————————————————————-
Section 6A is designed to be an easier, safer and lower route between the Rasht and Darvoz Districts across the 3850m high Psoda Pass. For now it ends in Qalai Khumb, but the Pamir Trail team is working on the extension between Qalai Khumb and Vanj. For now, the only feasible way to reach Vanj and continue the Pamir Trail is to get transport between the places. If you’re a purist you could hike the roughly 100km but it is very unpleasant and with the traffic sometimes even dangerous. We’re trying to find an efficient way to help you finding a car, as shared taxis and mini-busses are unreliable on this stretch of the Pamir Highway. Get in touch for advice.
———————————————————————————-
SECTION 6B: RASHT TO DARVOZ - HIGH ROUTE
Vahdat (Jirgatol) - Vanj * 206km * download stage descriptions * highest point Starghi Pass 4473m * trail beta stage 45-56B
Looking back to the Rasht Valley - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 45: Vahdat - Dashti Murghon
Distance: 17km
Ascent: 940m
Descent: 370m
Trail: easy - road, clear track
Along the red Qaroshura River - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 46: Dashti Murghon - Vayzirek
Distance: 19.1km
Ascent: 891m
Descent: 380m
Trail: easy - clear track and trails
Landmine sign, check stage info! - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 47: Vayzirek - Puli Sangin
Distance: 16.8km
Ascent: 762m
Descent: 726m
Trail: moderate - variable trails
Approach to Gardani Kaftar Pass - pic: C. Oriol
Stage 48: Puli Sangin - Langar
Distance: 18.9km
Ascent: 904m
Descent: 1777m
Trail: hard - variable trails
Small stretch of road near Langar - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 49B: Langar - Sangoba
Distance: 13.1km
Ascent: 1103m
Descent: 40m
Trail: moderate - clear trails
Satellite image Vereshkay Pass 3970m - pic: FATMAP
Stage 50B: Sangoba - Rogha
Distance: 16.2km
Ascent: 880m
Descent: 1546m
Trail: hard - vague or no trails
-WARNING: STAGES 51B - 55B HAVE BEEN TESTED, BUT IT PROVED TO BE VERY HARD. EXPECT ROUTE SECTIONS WITHOUT TRAIL, OVERGROWN TERRAIN AND DEEP FAST-FLOWING RIVERS. WE ADVICE TO DO THIS PART OF THE PAMIR TRAIL FROM THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER, NOT EARLIER AS SOME RIVERS ARE LIKELY TO BE IMPASSABLE. WE AIM TO IMPROVE / ADD INFRASTRUCTURE TO OVERCOME THESE NATURAL BOUNDARIES.-
Upper Khingov Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 51B: Rogha - Bijou
Distance: 11.8km
Ascent: 288m
Descent: 209m
Trail: easy/moderate - clear track and vague trails
Looking back to Batrud / Khingov - pic: Lottie GD
Stage 52B: Bijou - Rovak
Distance: 15.1km
Ascent: 554m
Descent: 326m
Trail: hard - clear, vague and sometimes no trails
View across Dashti Burs - pic: Lottie GD
Stage 53B: Rovak - Sagdar
Distance: 13.7km
Ascent: 428m
Descent: 53m
Trail: very hard - no trails
The Tagargob/Obistarghi Valley - pic: Lottie GD
Stage 54B: Sagdar - Tagargob
Distance: 7.9km
Ascent: 597m
Descent: 26m
Trail: very hard - no trails
Crossing the Starghi Pass - pic: Lottie GD
Stage 55B: Tagargob - Stargh
Distance: 15.6km
Ascent: 824m
Descent: 2382m
Trail: very hard - glacier, various or no trails
Aerial view into the Vanj Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 56B: Stargh - Vanj
Distance: 47.3km
Ascent: 689m
Descent: 1085m
Trail: easy - dirt road
SECTION 7: VANJ AND YAZGHULOM
Vanj - Nisur * 206km * download stage descriptions * highest point Odudi Pass 4450m * trail beta stage 57-65
Below the Gushkhun Pass - pic: M. Merisi
Stage 57: Vanj - Gushkhun
Distance: 10.2km
Ascent: 2163m
Descent: 40m
Trail: moderate/hard - variable trails
Tricky descent to Zhamag- pic: M. Merisi
Stage 58: Gushkhun - Zhamag
Distance: 10.3km
Ascent: 524m
Descent: 2401m
Trail: very hard - variable and no trails
Easy road hike in Yazghulom Valley - pic: M. Merisi
Stage 59: Zhamag - Motravn
Distance: 19.1km
Ascent: 330m
Descent: 627m
Trail: easy - track / road
Crossing the river Darai Motravn - pic: D. Hardwick
Stage 60: Motravn - Khanil
Distance: 11.7km
Ascent: 1554m
Descent: 260m
Trail: easy / moderate - clear trails
Crossing the Odudi Pass 4450m - pic: E. Huisman
Stage 61: Khanil - Vamardara
Distance: 12.9km
Ascent: 1482m
Descent: 876m
Trail: hard - variable and no trails
Amazing descent to Rushon - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 62: Vamardara - Rushon
Distance: 14km
Ascent: 110m
Descent: 1721m
Trail: easy - clear trail
Hiking along the Bartang river - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 63: Rushon - Siponj
Distance: 44.9km
Ascent: 600m
Descent: 382m
Trail: easy - dirt road
Easy hiking in the Bartang Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 64: Siponj - Basid
Distance: 41.6km
Ascent: 1144m
Descent: 950m
Trail: easy - dirt road
Not bad for a road hike! - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 65: Basid - Nisur
Distance: 42.4km
Ascent: 1096m
Descent: 852m
Trail: easy - dirt road
SECTION 8: RUSHON
Nisur - Bachor * 95km+15km boat * download stage descriptions * highest point Lower Vikhinj Pass 4576m * trail beta stage 66-71
Barchidev from above - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 66: Nisur - Barchidev
Distance: 9.1km
Ascent: 452m
Descent: 396m
Trail: easy - clear track
Crossing the Marghob River - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 67: Barchidev - Sarez
Distance: 18.9km
Ascent: 1300m
Descent: 658m
Trail: moderate/hard - variable trails
Hiking up the Langar Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 68: Sarez - Langar
Distance: 12.7km
Ascent: 490m
Descent: 16m
Trail: moderate - clear trails
The splendid Zaroshkul - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 69: Langar - Zaroshkul
Distance: 21.2km
Ascent: 1024m
Descent: 95m
Trail: moderate - clear trails
Approaching the turquoise Taskilkul - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 70: Zaroshkul - Kafkrud
Distance: 16km
Ascent: 163m
Descent: 932m
Trail: moderate/hard - variable trails
Heading down to Bachor - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 71: Kafkrud - Bachor
Distance: 17.3km
Ascent: 60m
Descent: 487m
Trail: easy - clear trails
SECTION 9: SHUGHNON AND SHAKHDARA
Bachor - Vrang * 118km * download stage descriptions * highest point Vrang Pass 5010m * trail beta stage 72-79
The Ghund Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 72: Bachor - Duzakhdara
Distance: 26.5km
Ascent: 171m
Descent: 288m
Trail: easy - clear track and road
Hiking up the Duzakhdara Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 73: Duzakhdara Valley
Distance: 11km
Ascent: 838m
Descent: 45m
Trail: moderate - variable trails
Views from the Duzakhdara Pass - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 74: South Duzakhdara
Distance: 13.6km
Ascent: 407m
Descent: 408m
Trail: easy - mostly clear trails
The valley towards Shakhdara - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 75: South D’dara - Rubot
Distance: 21.1km
Ascent: 19m
Descent: 698m
Trail: easy - clear track
A gorge near Rubot village - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 76: Rubot - Vrang River
Distance: 15km
Ascent: 748m
Descent: 31m
Trail: easy - clear track and trails
View towards the Vrang Pass - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 77: Vrang River - Vrang Lakes
Distance: 5.6km
Ascent: 408m
Descent: 0m
Trail: moderate - variable trails
Steep descent after the Vrang Pass - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 78: Vrang Lakes - Vnukut
Distance: 14.5km
Ascent: 563m
Descent: 1124m
Trail: very hard - vague or no trail, exposed terrain
Exposed terrain, lower Vnukut Valley - pic: J. Bakker
Stage 79: Vnukut - Vrang
Distance: 10.7km
Ascent: 97m
Descent: 1212m
Trail: hard - variable trails, exposed terrain
SECTION 10: THE AFGHAN PAMIRS
Wuzed - Sarhad-e-Broghil * 163km * highest point Shawr Pass Pass 4895m *
