Thandiani to Nathiagali Trek

Trek from Thandiani to Nathiagali is one of the most popular weekend treks of the region. This is the trek on which many people mark the beginning of their camping/trekking life.  Thandiani (2700m) is at a drive of approximately 4 hours from Islamabad via Abbotabad. This trek could be done in two days if one is in good stamina and is able to start the trek early in the morning. It is better in this case to spend the night either in Abbotabad or Thandiani. If you are not a regular trekker, or want to start the trek from Thandiani late, it is advisable to do it in three stages by spending the first night at Birangali forest rest house and second at Dagri bangla.

Birangali rest house is in the Birangali village around 7-8 km from Thandiani. The path to it is a gentle walk that takes around 3-4 hrs. There is a fresh water stream at 5 minutes walk down the hill from the rest house. There are also a few shops in Birangali village where basic items are available. Dagri rest house is at an elevation of 2720 meters. The path from Birangali to Dagri is around  17-18km and includes mainly ascend. On average, it takes 5-6 hours to reach there. The dense Quercus (burongi) forest of this area is the crux of this whole trek. If the weather is clear, Dagri also offers some very nice views of the area and an awesome sunset . Fresh water is available at 15 minutes walk from the rest house towards Northwest. Next day, you can reach Nathiagali via Miranjani top (2980m) which is the highest peak in the Galiyat region.

If the weather is clear you can view different peaks of the region from the top. Mountains of Kashmir are visible at west and northwest including Ganga peak, Pir Hassmir, Qazi Nag and the Pir Panjal range. Towards the North, you can view Makra, Blue Mountain and Malika Parbat. Total distance from Dagri bangla to Nathiagali is 19km. If you are lucky, you will also be able to spot massive Nanga Parbat behind Makra and Malika Parbat towards North.

If you just have a single day to spend, another option is to start the trek from Nathiagali and come back from Dagri rest house through Miranjani. This part takes 4-5 hours one way depending upon the pace. On the whole, this is a great alpine trek  ideal for spending a nice weekend away from the daily hustle and bustle of our busy lives.