Punjab & KP
Murree & Galiyat
Region
Punjab & KP
Best Visit
April to June and September to November for green hills and clear trails; December to February for snow, with serious crowd and weather caution
Highlight
Hill Station
Access
Open to All
Murree & Galiyat
— at a glance
Murree and the Galiyat are the closest hill country to Islamabad, a cluster of forested ridges that have been Pakistan's summer escape since the British built Murree as a sanatorium in 1851. Murree town sits at about 2,300 metres, roughly 54 km and two hours from the capital up the Murree Expressway, with its pedestrian Mall Road, the Patriata cable car and chairlift, and the Pindi and Kashmir Point viewpoints. Half an hour further north, across the provincial line into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Galiyat string together quieter, greener resorts: Nathia Gali at about 2,500 metres, Ayubia National Park with its level Pipeline Track through old pine and fir, and the summit trails up Mukshpuri and Miranjani. Green from April to June and September to November, deep in snow from December to February.
What to expect
Hill StationSnowForest TrekFamilyWeekend Trip
Photo by Saqi Pics
Frequently asked questions
- Where are Murree and the Galiyat?
- They are hill resorts north of Islamabad. Murree is about 54 km and two hours away in Punjab at roughly 2,300 metres. The Galiyat, including Nathia Gali and Ayubia, sit a little further north in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, between about 2,400 and 2,900 metres.
- Is Murree or Nathia Gali better?
- Murree is busier, with the Mall Road bazaar, the Patriata cable car and easy access. Nathia Gali and the Galiyat are greener, cooler and quieter, with the best pine forest walks. Many visitors base in Nathia Gali and treat Murree as a stop on the way.
- When does it snow in Murree?
- Snow usually falls from December to February, with January the heaviest. Patriata, Kashmir Point and Nathia Gali hold the deepest cover. Roads can close suddenly, so check the forecast and travel midweek rather than on a snow-chasing weekend.
- Can you do Murree and the Galiyat as a day trip?
- You can see Murree in a long day from Islamabad, about two hours each way. The Galiyat deserve an overnight, since Nathia Gali is closer to three hours out and the Pipeline Track and Mukshpuri walks each take a few hours.
- Are the Galiyat treks suitable for beginners?
- The Ayubia Pipeline Track is flat and beginner friendly, about 4 km between Dunga Gali and Ayubia. Mukshpuri Top at 2,800 metres is a moderate two to three hour climb. Miranjani at 2,992 metres is harder and best done with a local guide.
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