Neelum Valley is about 200 kilometers long the picturesque is situated to the North and North East of Muzaffarabad. Running parallel to the Kaghan Valley. It is disunited from if only snow-covered peaks, some over 4000 meters above sea level. Excellent scenic comeliness, panoramic view, towering hills on both sides of the strepitous Neelum river, lush green forests, enchanting streams, and captivating circumventions make the valley a dream come true.
The area is ideal for trekking. A fair weather road opens the valley to tourists up to Kel, 155 kilometers from Muzaffarabad, of which about 150 kilometers have been ebony topped while the remaining portion is being metalled. Buses ply daily on this route and accommodation facilities are additionally available in the rest houses of places of tourist magnetization. Simple cooking facilities are available but one has to make his own arrangements for special dishes.
Kundal Shahi
It is 74 kilometers from Muzaffarabad. Here, Jagran Nallah joins river Neelum which is being developed for trout fishing
Authmuqam
Authmuqam is 10 kilometers from Kundal Shahi with a height of 1371 meters. It is the sub-divisional headquarters of the area and accommodates as a take-off point for tourists fascinated with hiking and exploring the inner valley. It is an alluring place known for its variety of fruit. All obligatory facilities viz bazaar, post office banks, hospital, telephone, and PWD east house.
Salkhala
About 3 kilometers ahead of Kundal Shahi, there is another secluded spot of tourist interest of Salkhala across river Neelum where a trout hatchery has been established. A tourism rest house is available here for accommodation.
Neelum
At a distance of about 9 kilometers from Authmuqam. Neelum is situated on the right bank of the river Neelum 1524 meters above sea level. It has a fascinating scenery. The village has a population of about one thousand, a diminutive bazaar, and a tourist rest house situated on the bank of the meandering river Neelum across from where the Indian-held Kashmir is withal visible.
The panoramic lush green valley, profound in wild fruit and wildlife, magnetizes tourists from every nook and corner of the country. Owing to its tourist magnetization, the AJK Tourism Department is orchestrating to development of this area. 2 motels, 15 tourist huts, a cafeteria, and a tuck shop will be constructed here.
Arang Kel
A village and tourist spot located on the hilltop near KEL at an altitude of 8,379 feet (2,554 m) feet. It is accessible by a 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) trek from Kel.
Taobat
The last station of the valley. It is 200 kilometers (120 mi) from Muzaffarabad and 39 kilometers (24 mi) away from Kel. A tourist hotel of AJK Tourism Department and many private hotels with basic facilities are located here for tourists.
Lakes in Neelum Valley
Chitta Katha Lake is located in Shonter Valley, a sub-valley of Neelam Valley at the altitude of 13,500 feet (4,100 m). The lake is accessible from Kel by a 20-kilometer (12 mi) jeep track and then 5 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) hiking trek. Kel is the base camp for this lake.
Kutton
The bewitching comeliness of Kutton permeated in the radius of 10 kilometers, makes Jagran Valley. The area is 16 kilometers from Kundal Shahi and is accessible by an unpaved road. For the accommodation of tourists, the tourism department has constructed two angler’s huts.
Dowarian
Dowarian is situated about 13 kilometers from Neelum at an altitude of 1615 meters. It is circumvented by mountains full of conifer trees. A mule track up to Rattigali Pass, about 30 kilometers towards the west, connects the Neelum and Kaghan Valleys. There is a forest rest house on the top of the hill, and a tourist rest house is available for accommodation near the main road.
Sharda
Located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Dowarian. It is a breathtaking green spot at an altitude of 1981 meters. Shardi and Nardi are two mountain peaks overlooking the valley, reputedly denominated after legendry princess Sharda, it has a captivating landscape with numerous springs and hillsides covered with trees. On the right bank, the antithesis to Sharda, the Neelum is joined by the Surgan Nallah along which a track leads to Nurinar Pass and through it to the Kaghan Valley.
In Sharda, one additionally finds ruins of an old Buddhist University. Facilities of a minuscule bazaar, post office, health center, public call office, and rest house are available in Sharda. The AJK Tourism Department has launched a sizably voluminous program under the denomination of “ Tourist Village at Sharda”. The entire project is nearing towards culmination. Tourist rest houses, youth hostel, cafeteria, game room, bridal path, etc. near the jungle have been consummated.
Kel
About 19 kilometers journey from Sharda upstream takes one to Kel. It is a minute valley at a height of 2097 meters. This is another picturesque place in the Neelum Valley. The Shounter Nallah joins river Neelum at this place and leads to Gilgit Agency over the Shandur Pass (4420 meters above sea level).
Buses ply daily on this route in good weather. It is advisable to hire a jeep from Authmuqam for a peregrination into the Valley. Horses and ponies can additionally be hired locally for peregrinate to the interior of the Neelum Valley. Banks College Hospital, a bazaar, and a reposal house of JAK Tourism are available for accommodation.