Escape to Scenic Murree Hills

The Mall Road is the best place to start. Stroll along the old promenade past cafés, bakeries and souvenir shops, and stop at the Kashmir Point viewpoint for a first look at the layered mountains in the distance. Nearby, Pindi Point offers a chairlift and cable car ride above the pine forests, while Patriata, also called New Murree, adds a lively touch with its chairlift, cable car and open meadows. These are ideal places to slow down, walk among the trees and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Higher up, the quieter side of Murree opens up. The road to Ayubia National Park leads to forest trails, a chairlift and the popular Pipeline Track, a gentle walk through dense woods that is perfect for families and photographers. Further along, Nathia Gali and Dunga Gali offer cooler air, hotel terraces with valley views and a calmer pace away from the crowds. Back in town, hot corn on the cob, roasted peanuts, steaming chai and fresh pakoras taste best on a chilly evening, especially in winter when snow turns the whole area into a postcard. Just about an hour from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Murree is an easy day trip and a natural starting point for journeys deeper into the Galiyat and beyond.