Explore Beautiful Margalla Hills Through These Hiking Trails In Islamabad
Only a few capital cities in the world are so close to nature and come closer to the beauty of Islamabad. Green hills encircle Pakistan’s federal capital on two sides, making it simple for people to enjoy urban life and the surrounding natural environment. The authorities in the city have made it 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.
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 for various animals and birds. Every year, many tourists and locals head to the trails on Margalla Hills to take hikes as a healthy activity and to explore nature.
The hiking season is upon us, with the summer easing out and the weather becoming pleasant. 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 understand.
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. 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 kilometers, and it 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, so residents usually take this trail to have breakfast at the end of their climb.
NOORAN DI GALLI & TALHAAR RIDGE TRAIL
This combination of two separate trails in the Margalla Hills isn’t a beginner’s hike. On the Talhaar Ridge Trail, you will see gorgeous views of Islamabad and 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 at 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-challenging 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, the Makhniyal Second Ridge Trail, offers a unique view of the two major lakes of the city. You can see Rawal Lake and Khanpur Lake from this trail, and the surrounding scenery is gorgeous.
Makhniyal Second Ridge Trail behind Trail No. 1–6 Margalla Trails is a relatively long trek that can take up to five hours. There are two different starting points of the trail, Masta Gaon and Makhnial Village, which have their 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. You can go 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 stricter trails in Islamabad, this is the perfect place to train for hiking in the North. It goes from Pir Sohawa Road to Ghora Gali and is one of the longest trails in Islamabad, around 28 kilometers, and can take up to 7-9 hours. The trail connects the 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 kilometers long, and signboards, resting points, and waste bins will also be installed.