Kewai Waterfall—The First Snack Stop When Travelling North
Kewai is a beautiful waterfall located on the way to the Shogran and Kaghan Valleys. It is only about 7.6 km from the Shogran Valley and about 22.4km from the Naran Valley. Also spelled Kawai and Kiwai, this waterfall has become a famous picnic spot and a standard pitstop for visitors who are traveling to Shogran Valley or Naran Kaghan. Tourists stop at the Kewai waterfall to grab a quick snack and rest for a bit before continuing their journey.
There are white swans floating and bathing in water and chickens playing around, adding to your experience at Kewai Waterfall.
Kewai Waterfall Location
Kewai Waterfall is located in a small village named Kewai. The locals have worked on the place—widened it up and set up chairs, tables, and charpoys—and converted it into an attractive picnic spot for the locals and the first snack stop for tourists traveling North.
Kewai Waterfall is around 220km from Islamabad and only about 20km from the Balakot interchange. From Kewai, the Shogran Valley is at a mere distance of 7.6km, and Kaghan Valley is only about 22.4km away.
To get to Kewai from Islamabad, you will come via Hazara Motorway, and passing through Abbottabad and Mansehra, you will reach Balakot Interchange, and the next stop will be Kewai. From Islamabad, it will take you only 3.5 to 4.5 hours to reach Kewai Waterfall.
Kewai Waterfall Restaurant
Just like you were not expecting a Niagra Falls at Kewai, do not expect a five-star restaurant here. But if you are a chai and pakora lover, you can have a seven-star experience at the Kewai Waterfall.
Kewai Waterfall restaurant is actually not one restaurant.
There are actually several vendors and restaurants set up on the sides of the Kewai Waterfall. All the restaurants and vendors have set up chairs, tables, and charpoys in the waterfall. When you arrive at the spot, waiters from different vendors will rush towards you, offering you a seat and wooing you to order from them. You can order from any vendor, regardless of your sitting area.
During our quick stop at Kewai Waterfall on our visit to the Shogran Valley, we ate chai and pakoras (tea and fritters). Eating chai pakoras after a four-hour ride from Islamabad, with our feet dipped in the cold water running beneath the tables, was an unforgettable experience.
So, when traveling North, do not forget to take a quick snack stop at Kewai Waterfall either on your way North or on your way back.
| Take a stroll behind the established picnic spot, following the waterfall and you will get to see the more untamed version of Kewai Waterfall. Also, there is very little rush comparatively because more tourists just stay at the picnic spot. |
Why Take a Stop at Kewai Waterfall?
One, you do not want to miss the experience of eating hot and spicy pakoras with chai with your feet dipped in cold water and running under the tables. Also, after 3 hours of ride, you will need a snack to refuel yourself from your final destination.
Second, stop at Kewai Waterfall if your group is still divided between the Shogran Valley and Naran Valley, like us. You can discuss over the snack whether to go to Shogran or Naran.
Third, if you do not have experience driving in hilly areas, you may want to park your car at Kewai and rent a Jeep from Kewai. Whether you decide to go to Shogran or Naran, you can find a Jeep from Kewai to take you to your destination.
Fourth, your car needs rest, too. The journey ahead is uphill—irrespective of whether you choose Shogran or Naran. Resting your car will cool down its brake leathers and clutch.
Last but not least, there is a small bazaar (shopping point) near the waterfall. You can consider getting things for your camping from there if you forgot to pack something.
Is Kewai Waterfall Worth Visiting?
Well, it depends. I mean, if you are expecting a massive waterfall like Niagra Falls, you can skip it because it is a petite, wide, and quite calm waterfall. Also, if you have visited picnic points like the Shadara picnic point in Islamabad, you can skip Kewai Waterfall. And there is a lot of rush at Kewai Waterfall, especially if you are coming on weekends or during tourist season. But if you are hungry or a chai pakora fan, you must take a quick stop at Kewai.
If you missed Kewai Waterfall on your way to Shogran or Naran, do not worry, you can visit it on your way back. And also, you will come across even more beautiful lakes. If going to Siri Paye Meadows in Shogran Valley you will come across small yet picturesque Siri Lake and Paye Lake, and if traveling to Naran Valley, you will get to see a lot more lakes Ansoo Lake, Lulusar Lake, Dharam Sar Lake, Saif ul Malook, and many other stunning lakes of Naran Valley.
If you are thinking of taking a stop in Shogran Valley, you might want to check our comprehensive list of 16 best hotels in Shogran.
