Birmoghlasht is a hilltop viewpoint above Chitral town, inside Chitral Gol National Park, built up around a summer fort constructed in about 1910 for the ruling Mehtar of Chitral state. At roughly 2,743 metres, well above the heat of the town, it gives a wide view over the Chitral valley and, on a clear day, towards Tirich Mir, the highest peak in the Hindu Kush. The fort itself is a ruin now, but the site remains one of the better short jeep trips out of Chitral town.
This guide covers the history of the site, the road up, and what you will find when you get there.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| What it is | Ruined summer fort and viewpoint above Chitral town |
| Built | Around 1910, for Mehtar Shuja ul-Mulk |
| Elevation | About 2,743 m |
| Location | Within Chitral Gol National Park |
| Access | Jeep road from Chitral town; narrow and rough in places |
| Views | Chitral valley, and Tirich Mir on a clear day |
History: a hill fort for the summer heat
Chitral town sits low in its valley and gets properly hot in June and July. Birmoghlasht was built on the initiative of Shuja ul-Mulk, the Mehtar of the princely state of Chitral, as a place to move his household to for the summer and to hold court away from the heat below. It dates to around 1910, during the last decades before Chitral's rulers lost their formal authority after independence.
The fort has not been maintained as a monument, and what remains today is a dilapidated shell of stone and timber rather than a restored palace. It sits within what later became the core area of Chitral Gol National Park, established in 1984 to protect the markhor population and other wildlife of the surrounding hills; our guide to Chitral Gol National Park covers the park itself.
Getting there
Birmoghlasht is reached by jeep track from Chitral town, climbing through the lower part of the national park. The road is narrow and rough in stretches, and a high-clearance vehicle or a hired jeep with a local driver is the sensible way to go rather than a normal car, particularly after rain. Most visitors arrange transport in Chitral town, and it is easily combined with a look at the lower part of the national park on the same trip.
Give the round trip the best part of a day if you want time to explore the site and enjoy the view rather than rushing up and straight back down. Our guide to Chitral road conditions covers the state of the roads around the town more generally.
What you'll see
There is not much left of the fort in a formal sense: old stone walls, the shape of rooms and courtyards, and a general sense of a site that has been left to the weather rather than preserved. The real draw is the setting rather than the building. From the hilltop the town of Chitral spreads out below in its narrow valley, with the surrounding hills and, when the air is clear, the snow mass of Tirich Mir visible in the distance.
The site sits within markhor country, so keep an eye on the slopes around you; you may see them at a distance even without heading deeper into the park.
Best time to go
Late spring through early autumn, roughly May to September, gives the clearest views and the easiest driving, since the upper approaches can hold snow well into spring. Early morning or late afternoon light is best for photographs of the valley below, and also gives a better chance of seeing wildlife on the way up.
Is it worth the trip?
For a half-day or full-day out from Chitral town, yes, especially if you combine it with time in the lower part of Chitral Gol National Park on the same road. The fort itself is a modest ruin rather than a grand monument, so go for the drive and the view rather than expecting a restored palace. If your time in Chitral is very short, the Kalash valleys or Chitral town's own fort and museum are a better use of a single free day; see our list of places to visit in Chitral for how it compares with the alternatives. Our trip planning guide can help fit it into a longer itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
What is Birmoghlasht?
A ruined hilltop summer fort above Chitral town, built around 1910 for the Mehtar of Chitral, now mainly visited for its views over the valley and towards Tirich Mir.
How do you get to Birmoghlasht?
By jeep from Chitral town, on a narrow track that climbs into Chitral Gol National Park. A high-clearance vehicle or a hired jeep with a driver is the practical way to go.
How high is Birmoghlasht?
About 2,743 metres, well above Chitral town, which is one reason the Mehtar's household moved there for the hot summer months.
Is there an entry fee for Birmoghlasht?
It lies within Chitral Gol National Park, where a park entry fee applies; pay whatever is posted at the park entrance, since the amount has changed over time.
Can you combine Birmoghlasht with visiting Chitral Gol National Park?
Yes, they share the same access road, and most visitors see the lower part of the park and the fort site on the same jeep trip from Chitral town.
Is Chitral safe for overseas visitors?
Pakistani tourists visit Chitral throughout the season, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel on the N45 from Mardan to Chitral city, which is the main road in through Dir and the Lowari Tunnel, and within 10 miles of the Afghan border. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, because travelling against it can void your insurance. Everyone should check local news and current police advice before setting out.
