In this story
Not everyone dreams of climbing K2. Some of us simply want a beautiful forest, fresh air and a plate of pakoras at the end.
That is a perfectly wonderful adventure. Mukshpuri is where it happens.
Galyat: The Hills Above the Heat
Nathia Gali sits in the Galyat, a chain of forested ridges about 90 km north of Islamabad. In colonial times it was a summer retreat for officials escaping the plains, and old stone churches and bungalows still peek out from the pines.
Much of the area is protected as Ayubia National Park, home to monal pheasants, flying squirrels and, rarely seen, the common leopard. Keep your eyes open and your voice down.
Up to Mukshpuri Top
At 2,800 m, Mukshpuri is the second highest peak in Galyat, just behind Miranjani. From the Nathia Gali side, a steady 4 km trail climbs through fir and pine. From Dunga Gali, the route is shorter but steeper.
Near the top, the forest thins and suddenly you step out onto an open meadow with views across the hills toward Kashmir. It is the moment that makes you feel like a real mountaineer, even if you stopped for snacks four times.
Small Climbs, Big Peace
There is a particular calm in a pine forest after rain: the smell, the soft ground, the drip of water from the branches. People who come here to escape the city often realize they were really escaping noise. On the walk down, conversations get quieter and deeper.
Back in Nathia Gali, roadside stalls serve hot pakoras, corn on the cob and chai. Locals running these stalls have watched generations of visitors come and go, and many will happily share trail advice along with your order.
Plan Your Trip
- How to get there: Drive from Islamabad via Murree or Abbottabad, about 2.5 to 3 hours
- Duration: 1 to 2 days
- Best season: April to November
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate in dry conditions
- Max altitude: 2,800 m
- Trekking time: About 2 to 4 hours up