Introduction
If you’ve ever visited Mabali Island, you probably remember the last 1.5 kilometers — the final stretch of road that tests your patience, your vehicle’s suspension, and your expectations.
And if you haven’t visited yet… consider this your honest pre-trip briefing.
Let’s just say:
The view is worth it. The road? That’s… complicated.
This is our love-hate story with the road to Mabali — and everything we’re doing to make it better.
1. The Reality: It’s Offroad — And Always Has Been
The road from the main Khanpur route to Mabali (and nearby resorts like Bhamala) is:
- Rough
- Unpaved in stretches
- Vulnerable to rain, mud, and erosion
It’s not just a Mabali issue — it’s a shared challenge across this belt of tourism-heavy yet government-neglected land.
2. During Rain, It Gets Worse — Fast
As soon as it rains:
- Potholes turn into puddles
- Slopes become slippery
- Low-clearance cars struggle or stall
And we’ve seen the frustration on guests’ faces. We hear it in the calls before arrival:
“Is the road safe today?”
“Should we come in a Honda or a 4×4?”
We get it. We’ve driven it too — more times than we can count.
3. So Why Doesn’t the Government Fix It?
Short answer:
They should. But they don’t.
Despite:
- Thousands of visitors each month
- Presence of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Bhamala) nearby
- Massive potential for eco-tourism…
The road has been ignored by local authorities for years.
We’ve made multiple requests, written letters, and even offered co-investment.
No result.
4. So We Fix It Ourselves. Repeatedly.
Yes — we spend our own resort funds to patch and level the road from time to time.
We:
- Fill potholes with stone and mud
- Level surfaces after heavy rains
- Clear stuck cars
- Pay local workers to manually maintain parts of the road
Is it our responsibility?
Not officially.
But morally? We believe it is — because we care about your journey.
5. Why We Haven’t Built a Permanent Road Yet
A lot of guests ask, “Why don’t you just build a proper road yourself?”
Here’s why:
- The road is government land
- We don’t legally own or control the stretch
- Permanent construction would require NOC + massive investment
- If we build, we can’t restrict usage — it becomes a public highway, not just a guest path
Still, we’re working with other resorts in the area to collaborate on semi-permanent fixes.
But yes — we agree: It needs a long-term solution.
6. Our Advice to Guests (Honest & Practical)
What to expect:
- 1.5 km of rough driving
- Better in dry weather
- Manageable in sedans, but slower
What to do:
- Drive slowly and carefully
- Call ahead if you’re unsure about road condition that day
- Prefer SUVs or 4x4s during rainy weeks
💭 Final Thoughts
Yes, we wish we could say the road to Mabali is perfect.
But it’s not. And we won’t lie about that.
What we can promise is:
- A team that does its part to make it better
- Transparency before your trip
- And a lakeside experience that makes the rough ride worth it
Because sometimes, the best places aren’t the easiest to reach.
And that last stretch? It’s just part of the story.
Have you driven the road to Mabali?
What was your experience like — and what would you suggest?
We’d love to hear from you in the comments — or DM us on Instagram [@Qasim_Diary] with your thoughts.
