Best Trekking and Hiking Trails in Northern Pakistan (2026 Guide)
June 21, 2026 · 7 min read
From easy day hikes to multi-day treks, here are the best trekking and hiking trails in Northern Pakistan for 2026, ranked by difficulty so you can pick the right one for your trip.
Trekking Season Is Back: Where to Go This Year
Every summer, trekkers from across Pakistan and abroad head north for everything from gentle half-day hikes to demanding multi-day treks. With so many trails to choose from, here is a ranked breakdown by difficulty to help you pick the right one for your fitness level and time budget.
Easy: Half-Day and Day Hikes
Perfect for families or travelers without much trekking experience, these trails need little more than comfortable shoes and a few hours.
- Mushkpuri Top (Nathiagali): a popular half-day hike through pine forest with panoramic valley views at the summit
- Eagle's Nest viewpoint walk (Hunza): a short uphill walk near Karimabad with sweeping views of Rakaposhi and the valley
- Borith Lake walk (near Passu): a flat, easy walk around a quiet saline lake with mountain backdrops
Moderate: Full-Day Treks
These require a reasonable fitness level and a full day, but no technical climbing skills.
- Jahaz Banda (Kumrat Valley): a jeep-and-hike combination to a scenic meadow plateau
- Ratti Gali Lake (Neelum Valley): roughly a 19 km round trip to a turquoise alpine lake, moderate mainly due to altitude
- Fairy Meadows to Beyal Camp (Nanga Parbat): a 3-4 hour trek with close-up views of Nanga Parbat's Rakhiot Face
Challenging: Multi-Day Treks
For experienced trekkers with proper gear, time and acclimatization planning, these multi-day routes are some of the most rewarding in the world.
- K2 Base Camp / Concordia Trek: typically 10-14 days from Skardu, considered one of the world's great trekking routes with views of four 8,000m peaks
- Latabo Meadows (beyond Fairy Meadows): an extended trek for closer Nanga Parbat base camp views
- Deosai Plains crossing: a multi-day high-altitude traverse between Skardu and Astore, best in peak summer
Planning Tips for Any Trek
Always check current trail and weather conditions before heading out, especially for multi-day treks above 3,500 meters where altitude sickness becomes a real consideration. Hire a local guide for anything beyond an easy day hike, both for safety and because many trailheads (like Fairy Meadows or Kumrat) require a 4x4 jeep transfer before the trek even begins.
The Trekkers Pakistan can arrange guided treks, jeep transfers and permits as part of a custom Northern Pakistan itinerary, whether you want an easy add-on hike or a full multi-day trekking trip.