Kirthar Mountains

The Kirthar Mountains are a north-south mountain range straddling parts of Sindh and Balochistan in Pakistan and extending for roughly 300 kilometres. The range forms a distinct geological barrier between the lower Indus plains to the east and the Baloch plateau to the west.

The landscape includes steep ridges, plateaus and isolated peaks; notable visitor highlights include elevated viewpoints and the hill station of Gorakh Hill at about 1,734 metres. Wildlife viewing is a draw in protected zones, where species adapted to arid mountain conditions may be seen.

The range has been occupied and traversed for centuries and parts were set aside for conservation with the creation of Kirthar National Park in the 20th century. Human use has included seasonal grazing, small settlements and historic passes linking regions.

Geographically the Kirthar Mountains run through southern Pakistan, with the eastern slopes descending to the Indus plain and the western flanks merging into the Balochistan plateau. The range lies between major urban centres of Sindh and the interior of Balochistan.

• Extent: The range runs roughly north-south for about 300 kilometres and forms a prominent natural boundary between southern Sindh and eastern Balochistan.
• Viewing: Best viewpoints are along ridgelines and from Gorakh Hill, which offers panoramic views and cooler temperatures compared with the surrounding plains.

What to See #

• Gorakh Hill: A plateau and hill station rising to about 1,734 metres and popular with local visitors for its cooler climate and sweeping views of the surrounding plains.
• Kirthar National Park: A protected area set within the range that preserves local wildlife and semi-arid mountain habitats, established to conserve populations of species such as ibex and other desert-adapted fauna.