Margala Hills National Park National Park
Hilly protected area overlooking Islamabad
A rugged ridge above Islamabad, Margala Hills National Park offers day hikes, birdwatching and picnic spots with panoramic views of the city and the Pothohar landscape.
Margala Hills National Park at a Glance#
Address: Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Website: https://iwmb.gov.pk
Hours: Daily sunrise-sunset
Admission: Free (no formal admission)
About 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.
How to Get to Margala Hills National Park#
The Margalla Hills border central Islamabad. Public buses and taxis run from the city centre; common access points include Margalla Road and the walking trailheads near sectors F-6 and E-7. Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa are popular vehicle-accessible viewpoints.
Tips for Visiting Margala Hills National Park#
- Head up early to walk Trail 3 or Trail 5 before midday heat and before the busiest visitor periods.
- Take the paved pedestrian entrance near F-6 / Islamabad for easy access to several popular trails and viewpoints.
- Bring binoculars for birdwatching - the park hosts many resident and migratory species.
Best Time to Visit Margala Hills National Park#
Margalla Hills are most pleasant in spring and autumn when temperatures are moderate and visibility is good; avoid the hottest months for strenuous hikes.
Weather & Climate near Margala Hills National Park#
Margala Hills National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with hot summers (peaking in June) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1076 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 3° - 15° | 9° | 64 mm | some cloud | 48% | 1.3 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.1h |
| February | Good | 5° - 16° | 11° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 55% | 1.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 93 mm | some cloud | 54% | 1.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 14° - 27° | 20° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 49% | 1.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Excellent | 19° - 32° | 25° | 44 mm | some cloud | 37% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.8h |
| June | Excellent | 22° - 36° | 29° | 65 mm | some cloud | 37% | 1.2 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.2h |
| July | Very Good | 22° - 32° | 28° | 232 mm | partly cloudy | 61% | 1.3 m/s | 2.0 very high | 14.0h |
| August | Very Good | 21° - 30° | 26° | 254 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.2h |
| September | Excellent | 19° - 30° | 25° | 92 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 0.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Ideal | 13° - 27° | 20° | 26 mm | clear | 45% | 1.0 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.2h |
| November | Excellent | 8° - 22° | 15° | 17 mm | mostly sunny | 41% | 0.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.3h |
| December | Very Good | 4° - 17° | 11° | 38 mm | some cloud | 41% | 0.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.8h |
