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Getting to Nathia Gali

The nearest airport to Nathia Gali is Islamabad International Airport, about 78 km from the centre in a straight line. Arrivals usually continue by road, and Nathia Gali is reached by road from Abbottabad, which is the nearest large town and has rail and road links to the rest of Pakistan. The drive is through hill country, so it is sensible to plan the journey in daylight and to check conditions before setting out.

Around Nathia Gali

Nathia Gali is a hill station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at an altitude of about 2,500 m. The surrounding slopes carry cedar and pine forest, and the ridge road links a string of small settlements. The air is cool even in midsummer, and the surrounding forest gives the place a quiet, wooded feel. In the town itself, the bazaar is the focus, with shops and food stalls along the main road, and the lanes between the houses are pleasant to wander. The ridge above the town gives views over the hills, and from the top there are wide views over the surrounding hills. A day in Nathia Gali is enough for the bazaar, a walk on the ridge and a short forest path.

Around Nathia Gali, several other places make useful stops or outings. Abbottabad is a working town rather than a resort. Murree grew as a summer retreat in the 19th century and still follows the ridge above the Kashmir Road. Muzaffarabad sits where the Jhelum and Neelum rivers meet, a busy town in Azad Kashmir with hill views and a mountain road to the north. Rawalakot is a small hill town in Azad Kashmir at about 1,600 m, set among pine-covered slopes and fruit orchards. Saidpur is an old village at the foot of the Margalla Hills, now a quiet stop for gardens, old lanes and short walks.

Nathia Gali through the year

The best months for a visit are May, June and September, when the weather is generally at its most settled. March, April, July, August and October are also good, though July and August can be busier with visitors from the plains. January, February, November and December are possible months, but in winter snow can fall and the road may be affected, and snow can make paths slippery and some facilities may close.

In summer, the area is popular with visitors from the plains and the air stays cool even in midsummer, while spring and autumn are quieter. Starting walks early in summer helps avoid the afternoon haze and the busiest hours.

Places to stay in Nathia Gali: what to expect

Hotels in Nathia Gali form a large group, mostly simple to mid-range, with a few upscale options. Almost all list car parking, and most list a 24-hour front desk. Many list free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, breakfast and a shuttle service, while some list family rooms, heating, a kitchen, room service, a garden and air conditioning. This range suits families who want a front desk and meals on site, and drivers who need parking.

Guest houses in Nathia Gali are a fair number, a mix of simple, mid-range and unrated stays. Almost all list car parking, and many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, a kitchen, a 24-hour front desk and a garden. Some list a restaurant, family rooms, heating, room service, a shuttle service and air conditioning. The mix of kitchens and gardens makes them a practical choice for families and for longer stays.

Serviced apartments in Nathia Gali are a fair number, a mix of simple, mid-range and unrated stays. Almost all list car parking and a kitchen, and most list free Wi-Fi, family rooms and a garden. Many list heating, while some list a 24-hour front desk, room service and air conditioning. A few list a restaurant, breakfast, a shuttle service and a fitness room. The kitchens and family rooms suit families and groups who prefer to self-cater.

Resorts and lodges in Nathia Gali are a fair number, mostly simple to mid-range. Almost all list car parking, and most list a 24-hour front desk. Many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, a kitchen and a restaurant, while some list family rooms, room service, a shuttle service and a garden. A few list heating, a swimming pool and air conditioning. These suit travellers who want a garden and meals on site within a wooded setting.

Staying in Nathia Gali: questions