18 Most Beautiful Hill Stations in Pakistan
Pakistan is a country that has beaches, mountains, lakes, ice peaks, deserts of Pakistan, and above all of them there are beautiful hill stations in Pakistan. If you are a nature lover who wants to enjoy spontaneous views of mountains and lakes from your hotel room with a cup of tea, then the hilly areas of Pakistan present you with everything. We suggest you take a break from your busy and hectic schedule. And plan a vacation, the beautiful and scenic views of hilly areas and historical places in Pakistan refreshed and happy your mind for sure. People of Pakistan enjoy all four kinds of weather but visiting the breathtaking hills in Pakistan gives an outstanding joy to people.
The best time to visit these beautiful hilly areas of Pakistan and mountain ranges in Pakistan is the season of spring and summer. But snow falling in winters also offers great joy to sports lovers. If you are a person who wants to catch the beauty of these hilly areas of Pakistan, then this article is for you. Because in this article we are going to list down the most popular hill stations in Pakistan. If you are planning to explore the beautiful hill stations in Pakistan, then the following places must be on top of your list.
List of 18 Beautiful Hill Stations of Pakistan
| Name | Location | Elevation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Malam Jabba | Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 2,804m | |
| 2. Kaghan Valley | Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 2,500m | |
| 3. Hunza | Gilgit-Baltistan | 2,500m | |
| 4. Murree | Pir Panjal Range, Punjab | 2,291m | |
| 5. Skardu | Skardu District, Gilgit−Baltistan | 2,228m | |
| 6. Shogran | Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 2,362m | |
| 7. Gilgit | Gilgit-Baltistan | 1,500m | |
| 8. Bhurban | Murree and Kashmir Road in Punjab province | 2,000 m | |
| 9. Gorakh Hill Station | Sindh province | 1,734 m (5,689 ft) | |
| 10. Margalla Hills | North of Islamabad | 1,604 m (5,262 ft) | |
| 11. Ayubia | Abbottabad district, KPK | 8,000 ft (2438 m) | |
| 12. Kallar Kahar | 25 Km from Chakwal | 457 m | |
| 13. Thandiani | Galyat, KPK | 2700 m | |
| 14. Fort Munro | Dera Ghazi Khan | 1972 m | |
| 15. Kalam Valley | Swat | 2001 m | |
| 16. Galyat | Abbottabad-Murree | 2,410 m | |
| 17. Patriata | New Murree | 2,300 m | |
| 18. Chitral | Lower Chitral | 1,494 m |
1. Malam Jabba
Malam Jabba is one of the most popular hill stations in Pakistan. It is located in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. This is also known as a home town of the best ski resorts in Pakistan. This stunning hill station is situated just 50 kilometers from Saidu Sharif. A lot of people come from other countries just to visit this magnificent ski resort. In Pakistan, Malam Jabba is the only ski resort. It is also a historical place as it is said, even 2000 years ago Malam Jabba was populated. It has also a stunning view of the valley and Hindu Kush Mountain Range. Also read Famous Places to visit in Peshawar.
2. Kaghan Valley
Kaghan Valley is located in District Mansehra of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is known as a paradise of lakes, mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, and streams. It is the most visited hill station in Pakistan. The most beautiful valley known as “Naran valley” is also located near Kaghan Valley. In one place both valleys are called together as “Naran Kaghan”. When it comes to the attraction points of the valley Saif ul Malook Lake gives a stunning and artistic view to visitors. It is known as a “place of fairies”. Kaghan Valley is one of the best hill stations in Pakistan to visit in the summer and spring seasons. Also read about northern areas of pakistan.
3. Skardu
Skardu is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Pakistan situated in between the River Indus and River Shigar. It has a sea level of 8,200 feet above the Indus River. Skardu has one of the best hills in Pakistan located in Gilgit−Baltistan. Skardu is no doubt an amazing tourist point. The roads to the recreational spot at Skardu are pretty dangerous; therefore, only travel with professional drivers to this majestic hill station. If you are traveling with a tourist group, check whether insurance companies in Pakistan insure them and have a good track of successful tours in the past. It is also known as the hometown of some stunning lakes of Pakistan including Lower Kachura Lake, Satpara Lake, and Upper Kachura Lake. The peak time to visit one of the best hill stations in Pakistan is between June to October. It is pleasant heaven for hikers and trekkers. We must say if you are looking to explore Pakistan you must visit this stunning hill station in Pakistan. Also read about tourism companies in pakistan.
4. Hunza
Now, this is something breathtaking. Hunza is a hill station in Pakistan that has a magnificent scenic view and have many beautiful lakes in Pakistan. It is located in the heart of the Gilgit-Baltistan region. It is surrounded by spontaneous snow-covered mountains, lakes, and fruit-loaded orchards. Some of the top tourist places like Altit Fort, Baltit Fort, Attabad Lake, Passu Cones, Eagle’s Nest, and Ultar Glacier are also located in this mesmerizing hill station in Pakistan. The best time to visit this hill station is between mid-march to august as the cherry blossom season starts from March and ends till April.
5. Murree
Murree is one of the top hill stations in Pakistan that popups in our minds when we think of the best tourist destination in the country. It is the busiest hill station in Pakistan and the reason behind this is the easy access and the best tourist facilities. After the construction of the motorway from Islamabad to Murree, the travel time has been reduced a lot, and residents of Islamabad often visit Murree and its surroundings as nearby recreational spots. Therefore, sometimes, the majestic hill station is considered one of the picnic spots in Islamabad. It has a distance of about 50 Km from Islamabad the capital of Pakistan. It has an elevation of 7,000 feet. Because of its popularity, Murree has become one of the most popular hill stations in Pakistan. In winter it converts itself to a winter wonderland and covers every inch of the surface with snow. It won’t be wrong if we say Murree is one of the best hilly areas of Pakistan to visit in winter. It has no specific time to visit. It is open for tourists all around the year. Also read about historical places in Islamabad.
6. Shogran
It is one of the best hill stations in Pakistan. It has a lot of perks and facilities to offer. It is located in the Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It has a height of 2,362 meters (7,749 ft) above sea level. Malakand forest is one of the best places to explore nature. This thick forest has a lot of birds, animals, and plants. We suggest you visit this forest with a tourist guide as there are a lot of wild animals in the forest. Shogran has a distance of 38 Km from Balakot. The locals of Shogran are so friendly and hospitable. The peak time to visit shogran is summer as it is populated in this season. Read more about provinces of Pakistan.
7. Gilgit
Gilgit holds the title of the capital of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is one of the best hill stations in Pakistan with breathtaking lakes and mountains. Every year a lot of domestic and foreign tourists visit Gilgit and take pleasure in its beauty. The tourist point is famous for its beauty, natural resources, vibrant culture, hospitality and geographical significance. The amazing thing about Gilgit is that it is a small city at 1500 m elevation. Still, the population here is 65% literate, which is higher than in any city in Pakistan. The youth of Gilgit Baltistan is competent in technology and modern ways of earning. The people of Baltistan know more things about cryptocurrency than various other regions of Pakistan. It’s a hilly area of Pakistan that has multiple hill stations around it. Passu, Ishkoman, and Shukargah are some of the nearby hill stations from Gilgit. This is one of the best hill stations in Pakistan for hiking and paragliding. Also read about museums in Pakistan.
8. Bhurban
Bhurban is a small town resort and hill station situated between Murree and Kashmir Road in Punjab province of Pakistan. It’s just 11 km away from Murree and 68.8 km away from Islamabad. It is one of the best hill stations with a unique variety of species to visit with friends and families. Pakistan’s most luxurious hotel of Pakistan, The Pearl Continental – PC, is serving tourists to visit Bhurban, Murree Hills, and the national park and stay with their families. Bhurban is no doubt an amazing tourist hill station in Pakistan, but residents face lots of issues during snowfall season. Therefore, many residents buy or rent houses in housing societies in Islamabad and spend the chilly season in the federal capital. At an elevation of 2,000 m, it gives a stunning view. A resort situated 2 km from PC named, The Hill Apartments is also a center of points for people to visit this luxurious place. It is famous among people for having natural mineral water. It also has a nine-hole golf course and offers beautiful trails at Ayubia National Park. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan to visit. Also read about travel agencies in Peshawar.
9. Gorakh Hill Station
Next on our list is Gorakh Hill Station, the unique place with stunning hills in Pakistan. It’s the only hill station in Sindh, Pakistan. It is located at an elevation of 1,734 m (5,689 ft), making it one of the highest hill stations in Pakistan. Firstly, it was discovered in the 1860s during the British Raj, then in 1989 developed and launched as a hill station. It’s not like the other hill stations, covered by tall trees or snow-capped mountain peaks. Still, the beauty of it attracts tourists to visit this stunning place once in their life. The best time to visit this picturesque place is between February and April. The uniqueness and the views stand out from the crowd. That is why it’s famous for being an adventurous journey for teenagers, enthusiastic travelers, families, thrill-seekers, photographers, and hikers. Check out our blog on historical places in Peshawar.
10. Margalla Hills
Margalla Hills is in the north of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. It’s a part of the Himalayan foothills spread in a total area of 12,605 hectares. In Summer, covered with lush green trees and in winter covered with snow, gives a stunning view and makes it one of the most beautiful northern areas of Pakistan. At an elevation of 1,604 m (5,262 ft), Tilla Charouni is the highest peak of the Margalla hills. It’s famous for having snowfall in the winter season. The charming greenish view is the most relaxing view for the nature lover and the tourist. There are a lot of hiking and trekking treks and rock climbing spots over here. The zoo park to Daman-e-Koh is one of the popular hiking treks in Margalla hills. The weather remains fresh and joyful always over here. The bird watchers also love to visit this pleasant place, as there are several birds such as sparrows, pheasants, robins, kites, larks, spotted doves, hawks, black partridge, shrikes, cheer pheasant, falcons, etc. It’s also one of the wildest places for having wild animals like leopards, red foxes, golden jackals, etc. Many universities in Islamabad are located near beautiful Margalla hills, including Air University and NDU. Therefore, the hill station is often visited by university students.
11. Ayubia
Ayubia is a beautiful hill station in Pakistan located in Abbottabad district. It is a well-known tourist point in KPK. People from all over the country visit Ayubia; however, it is commonly visited by tourists from the twin cities and Abbottabad. The recreational spot is located at an elevation of 8 thousand feet and is only a short drive from Murree.
The national park is surrounded by beautiful views and eateries in its surroundings. There are numerous mesmerizing waterfalls in Pakistan, and a few of them are located in the vicinity of Ayubia, including the “Sabri waterfall.” The place itself is a great tourist point.
The picturesque hill spot offers all to its visitors, including PTDC hotel and its savory tea. Apart from the PTDC hotel, the tourist can enjoy food from a few eatery places that are part of famous chains of restaurants in Islamabad, including Khiva restaurant. It is located at a short drive distance from Ayubia chair lift.
12. Kallar Kahar
Kalar Kahar is a small hill station in Pakistan located 25 km from Chakwal, Punjab, at Lahore-Islamabad motorway. Many recreational and tourist points, including Kalar Kahar Lake and Molat Fort, surround the area.
The fame of Kalar Kahar hills is for many reasons, including beautiful peacocks near its recreational park, abundance of mesmerizing lakes, hotels, and restaurants, which are no less than any 5-star hotels in Islamabad.
The recreational picnic spot is a region for sports lovers. Therefore, there are many cricket grounds in district Chakwal and its surroundings. Residents of Chakwal and its surroundings, including Kalar Kahar, play on these grounds. These stadiums are not as big and spacious as major cricket stadiums in Pakistan but offer plenty of fun to all.
13. Thandiani
Thandiani is located 9thousand feet above sea level in the region of Galyat, KPK. It is a quaint hill station with majestic hills and mesmerizing beauty. The word Thandiani literally means “very cold,” and it describes the tourist point comprehensively.
It is one of the most visited tourist points from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Abbottabad. Still, the residents lack lots of basic facilities and amenities. For instance, the residents have to travel to healthcare centers in Abbottabad or hospitals in Islamabad to cope with health issues.
Apart from issues in the vicinity, the area is worth visiting due to its landscape and serene environment. Whenever you are going from Lahore or Islamabad, you can take the route from Abbottabad and make a small stop to visit the hills of Thandiani and get a fresh start.
14. Fort Munro
Fort Munro, formerly known as Tuman Leghari, is a unique hill station at 6,470 feet above sea level in Dera Ghazi Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. As the sole hill station in Dera Ghazi Khan, it beckons with its distinct charm, drawing in numerous tourists annually.
History
It is an ancient Fort Munro, developed by Sir Robert Sandeman in 1869 and named after Capt. Munro. It is located 6,470 feet above sea level.
Location
Fort Munro is around 85 kilometers from Dera Ghazi Khan city, Punjab, Pakistan, and about 185 kilometers from Multan in the Sulaiman Mountain range, a range that is located in central Pakistan.
Climate
The fort’s temperature is pleasant in summer and extremely cold in winter. The Average annual rainfall is 10.70 inches.
15. Kalam Valley
Kalam Valley, a picturesque valley located at 2000 meters above sea level.Its stunning natural scenery, including lush meadows, snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and serene lakes, attracts thousands of tourists annually.
Location
It is located 99 kilometers from Mingora, in the northern upper reaches of Swat Valley, along the bank of the Swat River.
Famous Spots to Visit In Kalam
- Ushu Forest
- Matiltan
- Mahodand Lake
- Kundol Lake
- Gabral Valley
- Boyun Village
- Utror Valley
- Jaz Banda
- Falak Sar
16. Galyat
Undoubtedly, the Hazara region is a treasure trove of natural beauty. Here, you can see breathtaking views, green mountains, stunning valleys, and the Galyat, one of the highlights of this region.
Nestled between the mountains of Murree and Abbottabad, Galyat is a favorite tourist destination located at an altitude of 8200 ft above sea level.
This hill station offers diverse landscapes at different altitudes and breathtaking panoramic views of the magnificent landscapes, making it a famous tourist spot choice for local and international visitors.
Picturesque Spots of Galyat
- Nathiagali
- Dunga Gali
- Koozagali
- Ayubia
- Khanspur
- Khairagali
- Changlagali
17. Patriata
Patriata, or New Murree, is a popular hill station in northern Punjab. At 7,500 feet above sea level, it is the highest point in the area and has a cooler climate than the southern regions.
Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking snow-capped hills in winter and the lush greenery that returns in the summer, making it a year-round destination.
Famous Tourist Attraction
The Patriata Chairlift offers one of the best tourist experiences with stunning views and a scenic ride through the lush forests. It’s a great way to enjoy time with family and friends.
Access Routes
From the twin cities, there are two routes to reach Patriata:
- The expressway is more convenient as it well well-constructed
- Old Murree Road, passing through Lower Topa and Jheeka Gali.
18. Chitral
Next on our list is Chitral, a beautiful hill station in the Hindukush Range famous for its scenic beauty. It is Pakistan’s northern gem and one of the most stunning places to visit.
Location
Located on the western side of the Chitral River in Northwest Pakistan, it offers stunning views of the region.
Tourist Attractions of Chitral
- Chitral Fort
- Shahi Mosque
- Rumbur Valley
- Shandur Pass
- Terichmir Mountain
- Garam Chashma Hot Springs
- Chitral Gol National Park
- Chitral Museum
So these were some of the most popular hill stations in Pakistan to visit. Hence Pakistan is a country rich in hilly areas. We have mentioned a few hill stations. If you are planning for a vacation then this article will be helpful for you. You can also read about the famous dams in Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which is the most famous hill station in Pakistan?
There are many famous hill stations in Pakistan. However, Murree is considered the most famous hill station in Pakistan.
Where are hills found in Pakistan?
Pakistan is home to numerous hill stations that are scattered in almost all provinces and states of Pakistan. However, the major hill stations are located in the north of Pakistan.
Which hill station is closest to Islamabad?
Margalla Hills are closest to Islamabad
Which hills are famous in Islamabad?
Margalla Hills are the most famous hills in Islamabad, as the city is nestled in its lap
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