Hiking is an excellent activity which offers some great health benefits including the reduction of body weight, decrease in hypertension and improvement in mental health. In case you ever take some time out to go hiking, Kluchit.com lists some of the most exciting hiking tracks in Pakistan.
Miranjani
Miranjani is a lofty peak located in district Abbottabad in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Miranjani track is very famous in the hiking fraternity. It takes almost four hours to reach the peak through a steep track of about 8 kilometers from Nathiagali. Another route to reach the mountain begins from the Governor House. There scenery at the top of the peak is absolutely spectacular. You can easily see the Jhelum River, Tarbela Lake, Abbottabad city and Thandiani from the top. The beautiful but treacherous mountain Nanga Parbat is also visible on a clear day although it is located some 400 kilometers away from Miranjani.
Mushkpuri
Mushkpuri is a 9200 feet-high peak which you can reach either by trekking from Nathiagali or from the track in Dungagali. It is about 90 kilometers north of Islamabad. On the way to Mushkpuri you can enjoy the marvelous view of Lalazar Park which is situated about one kilometer up the track from Nathiagali. The majority of the mountain range is covered with subalpine conifer forests. There are two tracks to reach the top of Mushkpuri. The first is a four kilometer track beginning near the Shangrila Hotel in Nathiagali. It passes through thick pine forests and goes up to 2800 meters high. The second track is from Dungagali to Mushkpuri Top. This is the alternative track which starts from the center of Dungagali, a place four kilometers short of Nathiagali, on the Murree – Nathiagali Highway.
Dungagali-Ayubia Track
This track is also known as the pipeline track as it is just beside the pipeline which supplies water from Dungagali to Murree. It is among the world’s most beautiful tracks and is about four kilometers from Dungagali to Ayubia. It is a plain track without any ups and downs unlike the Mushkpuri track.
Trail 3 Islamabad
There are a total of 6 trails on the Margalla hills but the most famous among them is Trail 3. It is about 5.5 kilometers long and begins from Margalla Road, Sector F-6/3. It is an ideal hiking track for beginners, and is surely worth visiting. It is a little steep and tiring in the first stage as it goes up to the Viewpoint, but after that you can calmly keep going for another 45-60 minutes before finally reaching the Pir Sohawa tourist resort.
Ratti Gali Lake
The beautiful valley of Kashmir consists of magnificent rivers and lakes which are without a doubt a treat to watch. Ratti Gali Lake is located almost 12,100 feet above sea level. To reach Ratti Gali Lake you have to go through the village of Dowarian, which is roughly 106 kilometers from Muzaffarabad. This lake is truly a sight for sore eyes.
Contributed by: Marryum Farrukh Shah.
