The Atlas of Pakistan describes the land of Kohlu as rock outcrops and loamy, very shallow steep high mountain soils of mainly arid and semi-arid zones (rock outcrops and Lithic Cambothids).

The best known khushkaba tracts in Kohlu district are the Kohlu valley, Kahan valley, Mawand, Bambor, Dul and Thadriand. The soil of some of the valleys and plains is fertile and chiefly alluvial, being formed by the silt brought down by the floods. It is known as happa or latar and is well suited for all crops. An inferior soil is known as zahrén digár or bitter soil. The gravely soil which abounds in the hilly tracts is called ghalawar and grows poor crops.