Complete Day Trip Guide · Galyat Region
One mountain road, five unforgettable stops. A practical hour-by-hour itinerary to the chairlift at Ayubia, the pine-shaded Pipeline Track, and the viewpoints of Nathiagali — and back to Murree before dinner.
The Route
The Nathiagali Road climbs steadily north-east out of Murree through pine forest, passing Khaira Gali and Ayubia National Park before reaching Dunga Gali and Nathiagali itself. Every stop below sits within a few kilometres of the same road, so nothing requires a detour.
9 km · Roadside views
26 km · Chairlift & forest
29 km · Pipeline Track
32–35 km · Paradise Point
Optional hike · Highest peak
Hour by Hour
This is a genuine sequence, not a suggestion order — leaving late or skipping the early chairlift stop pushes everything else back, so the timing below is worth following on busy weekends.
Leave Kashmir Point or Mall Road early — the Nathiagali Road narrows through pine forest and gets congested by mid-morning on weekends and holidays.
A short pull-off about 9 km from Murree with open valley views — good for a five-minute photo stop before the road narrows further.
Pay the park entry fee, then ride the chairlift while queues are still short. Allow at least ninety minutes if you want to walk any of the park's forest trails afterward.
Walk a section of the shaded Pipeline Track between Dunga Gali and Ayubia — flat, forested, and one of the most pleasant short walks in the Galyat region.
Arrive in Nathiagali for lunch on the main bazaar road, then walk up to Paradise Point near the church for the best mountain panorama of the day.
For visitors with energy left, the trail to Mushkpuri Top — the highest peak in the Galyat range — starts a short drive from Nathiagali and takes roughly two hours round trip at a steady pace.
Start back toward Murree by mid-afternoon to avoid driving the mountain bends after dark, especially in winter or fog.
A full but unhurried day — time enough for dinner on Mall Road or an early night if you're continuing on to Islamabad.
In Detail
What to expect, what to do, and the practical details for each place along the route from Murree to Nathiagali.
01 · Quick Roadside Stop
The first pull-off on the Nathiagali Road, about 9 km from Murree, with open views over the forested slopes below. Most visitors treat it as a two-minute photo stop rather than a destination.
02 · The Main Stop of the Day
Roughly 26 km from Murree, Ayubia is a protected pine forest park and home to one of Pakistan's oldest chairlifts, first installed in the 1960s. It's the single best-known stop on this route, and it's easy to see why once you're above the treeline.
03 · Best Forest Walk on the Route
Dunga Gali sits about 29 km from Murree and is home to the Galyat Development Authority's park office. From here, the Pipeline Track — a flat, shaded walking trail running roughly 8 km between Dunga Gali and Ayubia — is one of the most rewarding easy walks in the region.
04 · Journey's End
Nathiagali is the highest and often called the most refined of the Galyat hill stations, roughly 32–35 km from Murree at around 2,560 m. Its pine-lined main road, church, and viewpoints make it the natural endpoint of this day trip.
05 · Optional Add-On
The highest peak in the entire Galyat range, reachable by a well-marked trail a short drive from Nathiagali. It's the one genuine hike on this itinerary, and it rewards the effort with the widest view of the day.
Timing It Right
The route is drivable most of the year, but conditions on the pine-forested mountain road change a lot between seasons.
Clear roads, mild temperatures, and full access to every stop, including the Pipeline Track and the Mushkpuri hike. July and August are the busiest months — May, June, September, and October offer the same weather with noticeably fewer crowds.
Best All-Round · Book Early in SummerSnowfall turns the pine forests around Ayubia and Nathiagali into one of the most scenic drives in the country — but the mountain road can be slippery or briefly closed after heavy snow. Check road conditions before setting out, and avoid the trip entirely if snow is actively falling.
Scenic · Check Road Conditions FirstBefore You Go
Departing Murree by 7 AM is the single biggest factor in whether this trip feels relaxed or rushed.
Nathiagali and Dunga Gali sit noticeably higher and cooler than Murree — bring a proper jacket year-round.
Park entry, the chairlift, and most roadside stalls along the way rarely accept cards.
Fill your tank in Murree — fuel stops become less reliable the further you go into the Galyat hills.
Find Your Way
All five stops sit along the single Nathiagali Road running north-east from Murree — there's no need to backtrack.
Plan Your Visit
Private car is the easiest option, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours one-way from Murree. Vans and shared transport also run along the Nathiagali Road from Murree's main bus stand, though schedules are less frequent.
Ayubia National Park charges a small per-vehicle and per-person entry fee at the gate, separate from the chairlift ticket. Nathiagali, Paradise Point, and the Pipeline Track are free to walk.
Roadside chai stalls appear at almost every stop; proper sit-down restaurants are concentrated in Nathiagali's small bazaar, so plan to have lunch there.
Common Questions
Nathiagali is roughly 32–35 km from Murree along the Nathiagali Road via Khaira Gali and Ayubia. The drive takes about 1 to 1.5 hours in normal traffic, longer on summer weekends.
Yes. Most visitors leave Murree by 7–8 AM, stop at Ayubia National Park and the chairlift, walk part of the Pipeline Track, then continue to Nathiagali for lunch and Paradise Point, returning to Murree by early evening.
Yes, especially for first-time visitors. It's one of the oldest chairlifts in Pakistan and offers wide views over the pine-forested Ayubia valley. Queues build up on weekends, so arrive early.
April to October offers the clearest roads and mildest weather. May, June, September, and October have cooler temperatures with fewer crowds than the July–August peak. December to February can bring snow, which is scenic but requires caution on the mountain road.
A small entry ticket is charged per vehicle and per person at the Ayubia National Park gate, separate from the chairlift ticket. Fees are modest and typically paid in cash.
Get the full Murree Road travel guide — routes, timings, packing lists, and insider tips.