Makran Coastal Highway

National Highway N 10 Along The Arabian Sea Coast Of Balochistan, Opened In 2004 · Ormara, Balochistan

The Makran Coastal Highway runs for some six hundred kilometres along the Arabian Sea from near Karachi to Gwadar, and since it opened in 2004 it has become one of the great road trips of Pakistan. For long stretches the road runs between empty beaches and desert mountains carved by wind into shapes that look sculpted, with almost no towns and very little traffic. The highlights come in a line: the beach at Kund Malir, where the desert meets turquoise water; Hingol National Park with the Princess of Hope and the Sphinx of Balochistan beside the road; the climb over the Buzi Pass with views down to the coast; the fishing town of Ormara on its hammerhead; and Pasni, the jumping-off point for Astola Island, before Gwadar. Most people drive only the first stretch, to Kund Malir and the Princess of Hope, as a long day from Karachi; the whole road takes two days. This is Balochistan, so there are checkposts, long gaps without fuel or signal, and security questions, and many travellers go with a local driver.

National Highway N-10, from near Karachi to Gwadar along the Makran coast, Ormara, Balochistan, Pakistan

Open at all times, though driving after dark is not advised. There are security checkposts along the route where passports and ID are checked; foreigners may need permission for parts of coastal Balochistan. Fuel stations are far apart. Kund Malir is about four hours from Karachi; Gwadar is roughly eight to ten.

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