Attractions Near Khewra Salt Mine

Khewra to Katas Raj

Drive 25 km northeast from Khewra to the Katas Raj temple complex near Choa Saidanshah. The Hindu temple site dates to the 6th century and sits around a sacred pond fed by natural springs.

Archaeology teams have restored several shrines after decades of neglect. The main Shiv temple and surrounding pavilions are open to visitors. Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering temple areas.

Allow 40 minutes by car from the mine. Pair a morning mine visit with an afternoon at Katas Raj. Our visit planner has a sample timeline for this combo.

Kallar Kahar Lake

Kallar Kahar Lake sits 25 km east of Khewra on the M-2 corridor in Chakwal District. The natural lake has boating, lakeside walks, and a hilltop shrine overlooking the water.

Many families stop here on the return leg rather than the outbound drive. Fuel and food options are better at the motorway service area than on the Salt Range back roads.

Read the full Kallar Kahar guide for M-2 service area stops, Swaik Lake nearby, and sample mine-plus-lake itineraries.

Chakwal city and Salt Range trails

Chakwal is the nearest major city, about 30 km from the mine. Local bazaars sell snacks, prayer mats, and travel supplies. ATMs are more reliable here than in Khewra village.

Salt Range hiking trails start from several villages between Chakwal and Khewra. These are informal paths, not marked tourist routes. Hire a local guide if you leave the main roads.

For driving directions from Punjab cities, see our Islamabad distance page and other route guides.

Winter fog in the Salt Range slows the Katas Raj drive. Check weather before committing to an afternoon temple visit between December and February.

Rohtas Fort (further afield)

Rohtas Fort is about 80 km from Khewra near Jhelum city. The UNESCO World Heritage site is a 16th-century military fortress built by Sher Shah Suri.

It is too far for a comfortable same-day combo with the mine unless you start at dawn and skip other stops. Plan an overnight in Jhelum or Kallar Kahar if you want both sites.

Rohtas rewards history buffs with massive gates, baolis, and ramparts. Allow two to three hours on foot inside the walls.

If you skip Rohtas, add Chakwal bazaar shopping or a short hike in the Salt Range foothills instead. Both fit a relaxed afternoon after the mine.

Punjab Tourism promotes the Salt Range as a circuit linking the mine, Katas Raj, and Kallar Kahar. A two-day weekend covers all three without rushing.