before the karakoram highway was opened in 1978, the only road reaching gilgit town from the south was a rough track north from balakot to babusar pass (via kaghan, naran, besal, and gittidas) and farther north through babusar gah to chilas. the road up to besal is now in better condition, but from besal to babusar pass, the road is still a rough track.