Nathia Gali

Nathia Gali sits on a saddle at around 2,500 metres in the Galiyat, the chain of hill settlements strung along the ridge between Murree and Abbottabad, and it has kept more of its character than its neighbours: pines and horse chestnuts, a colonial church of 1914 still standing among them, a governor's house behind gates, and a walkable centre rather than a traffic-choked bazaar. Two peaks rise from the saddle and give the town its purpose. Mukshpuri, at around 2,800 metres, is a straightforward two-hour climb through forest to a bald top with views over the whole range. Miranjani, at nearly 3,000 metres, is longer and finer, with the Kaghan ranges and, on the clearest days, Nanga Parbat visible far to the north. The pipeline track to Ayubia contours the hillside from here through old forest.

What you actually see

• Mukshpuri and Miranjani - two summit walks directly from the town.
• St Matthew's Church - the 1914 colonial church among the pines.
• The pipeline track - a level forest path towards Ayubia.
• Galiyat forest - pine, fir and horse chestnut along the ridge.

When to go

April to October for walking, with rhododendron and wildflowers in late spring; July and August bring monsoon mist and crowds. Winter snow is popular with visitors from the plains but closes the higher trails. Weekdays are far calmer.

Honest expectations

Weekend and holiday traffic between Murree and Nathia Gali can turn a ninety-minute drive into four hours. The bazaar area is commercial and litter along popular trails is a real problem. Leopards live in these forests and warnings about walking alone at dusk should be taken seriously.

Nearby

Ayubia National Park adjoins; Murree lies south and Thandiani north.