5 things to know before going to Mushkpuri, a snow trek hours from Islamabad, Pakistan

Mushkpuri is a very famous hiking trek near abottabad region in Pakistan. The top of the peak is around 2500 meters from sea level. what makes mushkpuri unique is the weather and the views. The whole scene changes in a couple of months when the snow melts in around the 5th month and the white peaks turn green. The place looks entirely different at both seasons. However, the trek is not entirely safe specially for inexperienced hikers. I wouldn’t call it dangerous, you just need to take some precautions specially in winters due to extreme snow.

Here are 5 tips or precautions i believe would help anyone planning a visit to mushkpuri. i also want to clarify that by not safe i don’t mean that there is any security issue. The trek is often underestimated and people come not prepared for the slippery track.

1.Trek Difficulty.

The most important point is to know the trek difficulty. In summers, any person who is healthy can easily reach the top, it takes around 2.5 hours to go to the top so people who don’t walk that often may find it hard. The game however changes in the winters. I wouldn’t suggest inexperienced hikers to go after a week of snowfall. But with right precaution any physically fit person can go or should go. The trek is slippery in winters and about 1 km of it is about the size of one man. This is the only part of the trek that is risky. One wrong step can take your life so you need to take each step focusing on the ground. The main problems with newcomers in winter is not this, newcomers are too much scared and they focus too much on the ground, fear is what makes the trek dangerous. you need to be confident and not overconfident. Just keep in mind that the overall Trek difficulty is medium, you can check any website or ask anyone.

2.Gear.

For summers you don’t need much special gear, I recommend taking a first aid and a water bottle. Don’t carry too much wait. hiking boots are good but not necessary any good running shows would do. As for winters, you need proper hiking boots, if you don’t have a pair an alternate method is to buy a pair of socks and wear them over your joggers, most of the locals do this. In winter I would highly recommend taking a stick as you will stumble again and again without it. people are selling sticks and socks at the start of the trek for 50 rs each. In winters are jackets and warm clothes essential? of course its a snow trek. However don’t wear too much, you should be able to hike easily.

3. Routes.

Mushkpuri Top can be reached from two Treks. One is the Nathia gali trek and the other is Donga gali trek. The nathia gali trek is longer and easier as it is not much steep. From donga gali trek you will reach the top faster but the trek is steep so be careful. I prefer the Donga gali trek as it save time and a little steep is fun. you can also go one way and come back the other but again that would take a long time as both trek reach at other sides of the trek. they are about a kilometer apart. In summer its not that much but with till knee snow, a km feels like 10.

4.Location.

As I mentioned the two treks are located in nathia gali and donga gali. donga Gali is about an hour and a half trip from Murree whereas nathia Gali is around 50 to 60 minutes. Most people want to know that is a one day trip possible from Islamabad, yes it is, if you start early around 6 you’ll make it home around 8 pm with ease. For people coming from Lahore you should spend a night in a donga gali. It’s around 8–900 Rs a night in normal days. Then you can easily start your hike early morning.

5. The Top.

Last but not least is that you need to know what you get when you reach the top. Most people come back halfway, thinking it’s going be the same till the end, no the top is another planet. If you go to the mushkpuri track and not the top your trip will not be complete. I know it’s not easy for a beginner but keep in mind that your effort will pay.

Be prepared when you go and don’t settle for less than the Top. If you want to read my personal experience for the first time when I went to mushkpuri from Islamabad on public Transport with one friend, follow my blog via email and stay posted because I’m gonna write about it soon.