Margalla Hills

The hills above Islamabad

Margalla Hills is the hill range immediately north of Islamabad, within the Islamabad Capital Territory. Its slopes form the city’s hard northern boundary: urban sectors and broad roads meet wooded foothills rather than spreading straight into the mountains.

The range lies within the protected Margalla Hills National Park, a roughly 17,000-hectare landscape of forest, ravines and rocky ridges. Tilla Charouni, at 1,604 metres, is its highest point. Expect subtropical woodland rather than alpine terrain: dry lower slopes, chir pine higher up, and steep, uneven ground on the main walking routes.

Choose a trail

The numbered paths offer the most direct way into the hills.

• Trail 2: a short climb from the former zoo area to Daman-e-Koh, useful for a quick walk and a city-facing viewpoint.
• Trail 3: the classic, steeper route from Margalla Road in F-6 towards Pir Sohawa Road. Allow roughly 1½ hours uphill; it is a real ascent, not a promenade.
• Trail 5: starts from Margalla Road in F-5 and takes the gentler, longer line to Pir Sohawa Road. The official estimate is 2½–3½ hours.
• Trail 6: begins behind Faisal Mosque in E-7 and follows a valley route; it also has a mountain-bike track and birdwatching point.

Daman-e-Koh is the straightforward road-accessible overlook. Pir Sohawa Road reaches the upper ridges by vehicle, but a walk gives a clearer sense of the terrain and forest.

Wildlife and protected ground

This is a national park, not an urban park. The forest supports a varied animal population, including rhesus macaques, wild boar, barking deer, pangolins and leopards; birds are a major reason to visit as well. Wildlife is not a performance: keep distance, do not feed animals, and stay on the marked track.

The park is actively managed for habitat protection. Grazing, poaching, timber extraction and illegal construction are treated as threats to the reserve. Take all litter back out and do not light fires.

Timing and trail discipline

Start early, particularly in hot weather. Spring and the cooler months suit longer hikes; monsoon rain can make dirt and rock surfaces slippery. Carry water: the hiking guidance recommends one litre per hour in hot conditions, along with sturdy rubber-soled footwear, sun protection and a hat.

Walk with another person on quieter routes, follow notices and avoid continuing after dark. Trail access can change for weather, maintenance, wildlife management or fire risk; confirm the current situation before committing to a longer route.