National park · Pakistan
Ayubia National Park
Enter Ayubia National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (PKR 30‑50 per adult), drive 1 h 20 min from Abbottabad, hike the Mukshpuri trail (≈2 km (1.2 mi), moderate) in spring or autumn; avoid peak monsoon (July‑August).Enter Ayubia National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (PKR 30‑50 per adult), drive 1 h 20 min from Abbottabad, hike the Mukshpuri trail (≈1.2 mi (2 km), moderate) in spring or autumn; avoid peak monsoon (July‑August).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
33 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (33 km²)
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan befo…
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Pakistan ↗Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Pakistan ↗Get the visa only through the official online system (visa.nadra.gov.pk); some areas need a separate permit (NOC) or police registration.
- Pakistan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to the provinces you will visit before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Pakistan
- Area
- 33 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (33 km²)
- 3,312 ha (8,184 ac) as reported by the park authority.
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Ayubia National Park, declared in 1984, spans 33 km² of temperate coniferous and mixed forest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, managed by the provincial Wildlife and Parks Department, offering chairlift rides, moderate hikes and wildlife spotting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected under the Wildlife and Parks Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Size and age
33 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (33 km²) · national park since 1984
3,312 ha (8,184 ac) as reported by the park authority.
Why go
- Temperate coniferous forest with cedar, fir and oak.
- Birdwatching – golden eagle, vulture and Himalayan pheasants.
- Mammals such as Asiatic leopard and flying squirrel.
- Chairlift to a forested summit with panoramic views.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow.
- FebCold, limited daylight.
- MarMild, blooming flora.
- AprPleasant temps, clear trails.
- MayWarm, occasional rain.
- JunRainy, early monsoon.
- JulHeavy monsoon, landslides.
- AugMonsoon peak, trail closures.
- SepPost‑monsoon, clear.
- OctCool, dry.
- NovCold but accessible.
- DecSnow possible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden eagle, vulture, Himalayan pheasantsMar–Nov · Best seen on clear mornings. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Asiatic leopard (rare sightings)Oct–Feb · Tracks more likely in winter. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Islamabad
Drive via Murree Road to Abbottabad (≈90 km (56 mi)), then follow Nathia Gali Road to the park gate.Drive via Murree Road to Abbottabad (≈56 mi (90 km)), then follow Nathia Gali Road to the park gate.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Abbottabad
Travel north on Murree Road; the gate is 40 km (25 mi) (≈1 h 20 min) from the city centre.Travel north on Murree Road; the gate is 25 mi (40 km) (≈1 h 20 min) from the city centre.
1 h 20 min
From Rawalpindi
Take the highway to Murree, then continue to Abbottabad and follow signs to the park.
2.5–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Chairlift area | Main visitor hub, ticket office, small shops and the chairlift to the summit. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Mukshpuri trailhead | Start of the 2 km (1.2 mi) hike to Mukshpuri peak (2,800 m).Start of the 1.2 mi (2 km) hike to Mukshpuri peak (2,800 m). | Accessible from the chairlift area; no guide needed. |
| Dunga Gali–Thandiani loop | Longer ridge walk through mixed forest and open meadows. | Guided walks available from local operators. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; exact gate location varies.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | PKR 30–50 | person | Check at gate; children under 12 free. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed in the park.
- Camping
- Only in designated PTDC motel; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires forbidden; use designated grills.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
PTDC Motel Ayubia
Basic rooms at the chairlift base; easy access to trails.
Near the park
Retreat Hotel, Nathia Gali
Mid‑range hotel with restaurant and views of the Haro River valley.
Safety
Monsoon landslides high
Cold evenings medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Chairlift area reachable by car; short paved paths suitable for limited mobility.
- Longer hikes steep and uneven; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Buy food and crafts from local vendors to support village economies.
- Stay in designated accommodation; avoid littering in forest areas.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ayubia National Park?
Entry is PKR 30‑50 per adult; children under 12 enter free. Purchase tickets at the gate near the chairlift.
What are the best hikes in Ayubia National Park?
Mukshpuri peak (≈2 km, moderate) and the Dunga Gali–Thandiani ridge loop (≈5 km, moderate) are the most popular. Guided walks are available for longer routes.
When is the best time to visit Ayubia National Park?
Spring (March‑May) and autumn (September‑October) offer mild weather and clear trails. Avoid July‑August monsoon season.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Only at the PTDC motel; wild camping is prohibited.
How do I get to the park from Islamabad?
Drive about 90 km via Murree Road to Abbottabad, then follow Nathia Gali Road north for 40 km (≈2 h total).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Sources
Ask about Ayubia National Park
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