There are not many capital cities in the world which are so close to nature and come closer to the beauty of Islamabad. The federal capital of Pakistan is surrounded by green hills on two sides making it convenient for people to enjoy urban life and nature in close proximity. The authorities in the city have made it very much possible for the residents of the twin cities to easily access the forest of Margalla Hills safely on their own using hiking trails. This blog enlists all the hiking trails in Islamabad that you can climb on any given day.
Let’s take a look.
Hiking Trails In Islamabad
Margalla Hills are the continuation of the Himalayan Mountain Range and have fertile land. The mountains are covered with herbaceous plants and trees and provide shelter to various animals and birds. Every year, a lot of tourists and locals head to trails on Margalla Hills to take hikes as a healthy activity and to explore nature.
With the summer easing out and the weather becoming pleasant, the hiking season is upon us. Islamabad is gorgeous at this time of the year, and it is the perfect time to bring out your hiking boots and check out some of the most beautiful trails in the country. The best part is, if you live in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, you don’t even have to use up your vacation days for these hikes but if you are from adjacent cities, hiking any of these trails will be worth your time.
There are multiple trails so don’t get confused.
Trail 3
This is one of the most popular trails as it has variants for all levels of hiking. Whether you’re a first-timer or a hardened trekker, Trail 3 has various branches for you. Trail 3 starts on the right side of Margalla Road opposite Sector-F and can be easily found on Google Maps. The total climb of Trail 3 is 6.1 kilometres and takes less than 2 hours for average hikers to reach the endpoint depending on the number of stops they make on their way.
The trail leads you to Pir Sohawa, with its excellent views and ends at the famous Monal Restaurant which is why residents usually take this trail to have breakfast at the end of their climb.
Nooran di Galli & Talhaar Ridge Trail
This is actually a combination of two separate trails in the Margalla Hills and isn’t exactly a beginner’s hike. On the Talhaar Ridge Trail, you will get to see gorgeous views of Islamabad as well as Talhaar Valley, giving you a sight to behold. You can approach this trail from Faisal Mosque Trail 4, and Monal Road. If you want a parking space, then start from Faisal Mosque.
On the way back, you can also take Nooran di Galli, which goes down to Islamabad through Kalinjer, a village in the Margalla Hills.
Trail 4
For a medium to difficult hike, check out the two variants of Trail 4, the main trail itself and Trail 4A. This trail passes by the Airblue crash site and memorial as well. Trail 4 also serves as a connection between Trail 3 and Trail 5 and offers stunning views of the Twin Cities as well as Monal Restaurant.
The trail is located in E-7 and is conveniently reachable via 9th Avenue, Margalla Road and Faisal Avenue.
Makhniyal Second Ridge Trail
One of the best trails in Islamabad, Makhniyal Second Ridge Trail offers a unique view of the two major lakes of the city. You can see both Rawal Lake and Khanpur Lake from this trail and will also be surrounded by beautiful greenery.
Makhniyal Second Ridge Trail behind Trail No 1-6 Margalla Trails is a fairly long trek that can take up to five hours. There are two different starting points of the trail, Masta Gaon and Makhnial Village, having their own difficulty level so you should consider your trekking capacity and the weather conditions before you begin.
Ratta Hotar Murad Gali
A beautiful village in a valley surrounded by the Margalla Hills, Ratta Hotar Murad Gali is one of the most underrated hikes in Islamabad. From here, you can go all the way up to the top of the Margallas where Trail 5 ends. You can combine the two trails for a more challenging hike. The total time you’ll need for this trek is around 4 hours and you can park your cars at the Trail 5 parking.
Pir Sohawa to Ghora Gali
One of the tougher trails of Islamabad, this is the perfect place to train for hiking in the North. It goes from Pir Sohawa Road all the way up to Ghora Gali and is one of the longest trails in Islamabad around 28 kilometres and can take up to 7-9 hours. The trail connects Margalla Hills of Islamabad with Murree Hills.
There is no return trail, so make arrangements to go back accordingly. The trail runs along the top of a ridge, so there will be astounding views on all sides. This is a challenging hike, so be prepared.
Trail 7
In August 2022, CDA Chairman Muhammad Usman inaugurated Trail 7 on Margalla Hills which starts from Sector C-12 and ends at Kanthala. The trail has been opened to the public to promote a healthy and energetic lifestyle among the residents of Islamabad.
The trail is five kilometres long and signboards along with resting points and waste bins will also be installed.
So, get those hiking boots on and go explore the beauty that surrounds Islamabad! These hikes are perfect for your weekend, with ample time to spare! You can also check out other places for weekend trips or one-day trips near Islamabad at Zameen Blog. Let us know about your experience at blog@zameen.com.
