Located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayan mountain range, Margalla Hills offer breathtaking views of lush green trees and cloudy cerulean skies. Famous for its tranquil environment and being one of the country’s most popular weekend getaways, Margalla Hills add tremendous touristy splendour to Islamabad, similar to that offered by the Arabian Sea in Karachi. While people often prefer going hiking in this area, you can take the famous Pir Sohawa Road if you’re planning to opt for a car. Of the many places this route connects with is Pir Sohawa, which, according to the Capital Development Authority will soon be converted into a tourist spot.
This will not be just another scenic spot in the capital city; it will, in fact, serve as an alternative to Murree, a long-cherished tourism hotspot that’s teeming with tourists all year round.
So, let’s take a look at what the place has to offer and how to reach there.
Natural Splendor
Pir Sohawa Road is famous for the uber-famous Monal Restaurant, but that is not all that it has to offer. This route is surrounded by picturesque views.
At multiple points on the road to Pir Sohawa, there are spots where you can park your car and enjoy the view of Islamabad from above; it begins at Islamabad Zoo and Japanese Children Park. You will find plenty of cars on this route as well as people trying to absorb nature as much as they can while taking pictures to relive those moments later.
Margalla Hills are home to many birds like paradise flycatchers, spotted doves, eagles, falcons, yellow vented bulbul and Himalayan hawks among many others. There is a high chance if you bring your binoculars along and use them at certain spots, you might be able to watch these birds.
Restaurants
Pir Sohawa in Islamabad is a place not only known to residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi but also to people visiting from different other cities. This is because of the unmatched popularity of Monal Restaurant, which is famous for its amazing ambiance and open-air seating arrangement. The restaurant serves all three meals i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner and you might need to wait a few minutes to get a table for yourself.
While the most famous places to dine out in this area is Monal, you will also find La Montana Restaurant right next to it. The place also offers an excellent environment, similar to that of Monal. The view of shimmering lights of Islamabad at night from both the restaurants makes you want to stay longer at that place.
Another option for fine dining is Highland Country Club and Resort which also provides overnight rooms to stay for a vacation. The club is located just a few kilometers further up from Monal and offers an even better view of the entire city.
Places To Stay Near Pir Sohawa, Islamabad
Since Islamabad is just a few kilometers away from Pir Sohawa, there are plenty of places where you can stay in Islamabad. But if you want to wake up with the view of Margalla Hills and the melodious chirping of birds, you might want to check Highland Country Club and Resort located at the top of Pir Sohawa.
Another project, Pine Sunset Apartments, is also being developed near Pir Sohawa Road. The meticulously planned luxurious apartments can be bought and rented to spend a few days and enjoy multiple activities like indoor games, swimming and visit the natural waterfall at walking distance from the apartments.
Since the government is also planning to construct new hotels and restaurants, tourists and be entertained in a better way.
Hiking Trails
While people from other cities usually use the road to reach the top of Pir Sohawa because of its twisty turns, residents of Islamabad usually prefer hiking to the top on weekends and holidays. There are multiple trails leading to the top of Pir Sohawa but which trail to take is totally up to you.
Trail 1
It takes about 1 to 2 hours for beginners to reach the top from where you need to walk 20 more minutes to reach Monal.
Trail 2
Starting from Islamabad zoo, Trail 2 takes you to Damn-e-Koh after a walk of 1.5 hours. You can walk further for a few more minutes to visit cactus ridge from there.
Trail 3
The oldest and most famous Trail 3 is also the toughest among all the trails due to its inclined climb. It roughly takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach your final destination. Somewhere in the center you will also cross a view point from where the view of Islamabad can be seen.
Trail 4
Trail 4 serves as a linking point between trails 3 and 5.
Trail5
The most frequently-used trail is number 5, which takes a bit longer to reach the top but is easier to climb for people. If you like waterfalls then this the one you need to pick to climb to the top. On an average it takes 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the top.
Trail 6
Trail 6 is very uncommon and far less used as compared to other trails. The trail has a separate track for cycling and also has a bird-watching point.
There are two more trails other than the aforementioned ones which are Saidpur Trail and Bari Imam Trail.
How To Reach Pir Sohawa
For people coming from nearby cities on their own conveyance, it is easier to reach Islamabad Zoo from where the Pir Sohawa road starts. Hiking trails also start from nearby but all the trails are not close by. For instance, Trail 5 begins from sector F-5 on Main Margalla Road and Trail 6 begins at Sector E-7 behind Shah Faisal Mosque. You can use google maps to find different trails and start your trek.
Hire A Car
If you have come from a different city and you don’t have your own conveyance, don’t worry. You will find plenty of yellow taxis within the city as well as private rental cars in Pir Wadhai or Faizabad. The fares vary, depending on the car, but there is always room for bargaining.
Nearest Airport
People visiting from abroad and far-off cities like Karachi and Quetta do not need to worry about how to reach Islamabad if not by road. Being the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad International Airport provides easy access to Islamabad city and also has cab service facility. Foreign tourists often land in Islamabad and start their journey from there to visit different places in Pakistan.
For locals as well as visitors, Pir Sohawa exploring Pir Sohawa is always enticing but Margalla Hills has a lot more to offer. If you want to read about places to visit in Islamabad, just follow the link. Keep following Zameen Blog for more exciting tourism pieces.
