This is the most popular hiking trail of Margalla Hills which is well marked and properly maintained. Trail head is located opposite Sector F-6 on Margalla Road and a dedicated parking area is available at that point. Due to proximity of various embassies, the trail is frequently visited by foreigners.
Initial ascent of trail is steep and it takes almost an hour of moderate hike to reach the ‘Viewpoint.’ Viewpoint offers great sights of Islamabad and almost all major buildings, monuments, avenues are identifiable with naked eye from here. For majority of the hikers with families, View Point marks as the culmination point of Trail-3. However, for the more enthusiastic ones, it is just one third of the journey.
Beyond Viewpoint, the trail passes through lush green trees constantly going uphill. Area around mid of Trail-3 is relatively plain. With no water source near or along the trail, it is suggested to carry water bottles. All along Trail 3, benches lie at appropriate places for rest, a luxury which is nonexistent on any of the other trails.
From the mid-way, it takes almost an hour of rigorous hike to reach finish point near popular recreational spot of Monal Restaurant on Pir Sohawa Road. Due to its ease of access, proper marking, suitable resting places, appropriate cleaning measures and better maintenance, Trail-3 is a popular choice for hikers of all ages.
WHAT IS AROUND
- Margalla Avenue
- Ataturk Avenue
- 7th Avenue
- Sector F-6
NEARBY TOURIST SITES
- Japanese Park
- Fatima Jinnah Park
- Islamabad Zoo
- Faisal Maosque
- Trail 2 Damn-e-Koh / Zoo
- Trail 4 Dhok Jeevan
- Trail 5 Dera Janglan
- Trail 6 Chak Jabbi
- Trail 7 Saidpur Village
WHEN TO GO
At 620 metres (1700 feet) above sea level, Islamabad is at its best from October to April, when the days are crisp and cool, and the nights are cold. Spring is short, but the flowers in March are a riot of colour. The hottest months are May and June, before the monsoon, but even then the climate is usually not oppressive, and you can always escape to the hills. 2250 metres (7400 feet) above sea level.
HOW TO REACH
Islamabad and Rawapindi share an airport, the rawapindi City and Rawalpindi Cantonment railway stand, General Bus Stand, Pir Wadhi, Faizabad Bus Stand, Daewoo Bus stand Motorway Chowk, Faisal Mover Motorway Chowk and G-9 Karachi company Bus Stand.
It is 292.9 kilometres (182 miles) from Lahore (6 hours 30min) and 172.8 kilometres (108 Miles) from Peshawar (3 Hours 30min) on the Grand Trunk Road (Nation Highway G.T. Road) and 382.6 kilometres (287.7 miles) from Lahore (4Hours 30min) and 185.7 Kilometres (116 Miles) from Peshawar (2 Hours 30min) on the Motorway/AH1.
FROM OUTSIDE
Skyways, Niazi Express, Faisal Mover, Daewoo, Airport, Train
WITHIN THE CITY
Taxi, Car, Mini Busses
ON BOOKED TRANSPORT
Click here to see the lists of transporters to book any kind of vehicle
WHERE TO SHOP
MARKETS
Aabpara Market, I-8 Markaz, G-7 Markaz, Peshawar More Markaz, AAbpara Market.
MALLS
The Centruaus Mall,
WHERE TO EAT / STAY
Hotels / Motels / Resorts / Restaurants
Click here to see List of hotels
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER
| HOSPITALS: | ||||
| PIMS, Islamabad: | G-8, 051-9261170 | |||
| Poly Clinic: | Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Islamabad. 051-9218300 | |||
| AMBULANCE: | ||||
| Rescue 1122: | 1122, 0344 9597384 | |||
| Edhi Foundation: | 115, (051) 2353374 | |||
| USEFUL ADDRESSES | ||||
| Tourist Information Centre: | Sports Complex Islamabad. 051-9208949 | |||
| AP Tourist Information Center: | F-10 Markaz, Islamabad. 0322-2881992, 051-8732529 | |||
| CDA: | Khayeban-e-Suhrwardy, Islamabad. 051-9253001 | |||
| MCI: | Islamabad. 051-9211555 | |||
| Passport Office: | Mauve Road, G-8/1, Islamabad. 051-9107220 |
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