Margala Hills National Park

Margalla Hills National Park protects the Margalla Hills north of Islamabad in the Islamabad Capital Territory and conserves a mix of subtropical scrub, woodland and rocky ridgelines. The park was formally designated to protect the hills and their wildlife within the metropolitan area.

The area was set aside as a protected national park to conserve the Margalla Hills’ natural environment as Islamabad expanded. Over time the park has become the city’s primary area for outdoor recreation and nature study, with infrastructure added for trails and viewpoints.

The park lies immediately north of Islamabad within the Islamabad Capital Territory, forming a natural green belt on the city’s northern edge and rising from the plains to its forested ridges.

• Highest point and protection: The Margalla Hills include the range's highest point, Tilla Charouni, at about 1,604 metres, and the park was established to protect the hills and their biodiversity.
• Best time to visit: Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for hiking and wildlife watching; weather is cooler from October to April and hotter in summer.

What to See #

• Daman-e-Koh: A hilltop viewpoint and small park area popular with tourists and city residents for panoramic views over Islamabad and the plains.
• Pir Sohawa: A tourist village and ridge access point that hosts restaurants and serves as the common trailhead for hikes into the Margalla ridgeline.
• Trail network: A network of maintained hiking trails used for short walks and longer treks; several designated trails ascend the ridgeline and link viewpoints and picnic areas.