Khaira Gali is a small hilltop settlement on the Murree to Nathia Gali road, at about 2,347 metres, best known for a scatter of simple guesthouses, forest on both sides of the road, and far fewer people than Nathia Gali a few kilometres further on. It suits travellers who want the Galiyat's forest and cool air without the bazaar and crowds.
This guide covers what Khaira Gali is like, where to stay, and the walking that is possible directly from the village.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 2,347 m |
| Where | On the Murree to Nathia Gali road, between Barian and Changla Gali |
| From Murree | Roughly 14 to 16 km |
| From Nathia Gali | A short drive further on |
| Known for | A quiet base, budget guesthouses, forest walking |
| History | A British-era summer camp for a mountain artillery battery |
What is Khaira Gali like?
Khaira Gali sits on the same ridge road as Khanspur, Changla Gali and Nathia Gali, past Barian coming up from Murree. In the British period it was used in summer by one of the mountain artillery batteries based in Rawalpindi over winter, part of a chain of small military hill stations along this ridge that also took in Changla Gali and Bara Gali. A hexagonal building on the highest ground in the village is a leftover of that era and still stands as a local landmark, though it is not set up as a visitor attraction.
Today Khaira Gali is a quiet stretch of guesthouses, a few shops and tea stalls, and forest pressing in close on both sides of the road. It has none of Nathia Gali's bazaar and restaurants, and that is largely the point of staying here.
Where to stay in Khaira Gali
Accommodation in Khaira Gali is simple and small in scale: guesthouses and budget hotels along the road, with rooms that are plain rather than smart. There is nothing here at the level of Nathia Gali's larger hotels, and standards between individual guesthouses vary, so check recent reviews before booking rather than judging by name or photographs alone.
What you gain by staying here is quiet, cooler air than the busier parts of the Galiyat at the height of summer, and forest close enough to walk into from your room. Before booking, ask:
- Is there heating, and what kind. Nights are cold even in June at this altitude.
- Is there parking on site. Roadside space along this stretch is limited.
- Is food available at the guesthouse, or will you need to drive to Nathia Gali for meals.
For a much wider choice of hotels with more established names and facilities, our guide to hotels in Nathia Gali covers the busier market a short drive away.
Walking around Khaira Gali
There are no long marked trails starting from Khaira Gali itself, unlike Dunga Gali with its Pipeline Track and Mushkpuri trailheads. What Khaira Gali offers instead is easy, informal walking on the forest roads and paths around the village, suited to a gentle morning or afternoon rather than a planned hike.
- Walk the road itself, staying alert for traffic, for views over the forested slopes on either side.
- Take a short path off the road into the trees, keeping the road within sight or sound if you are walking alone.
- Use Khaira Gali as a base and drive to the marked trails. Dunga Gali, with the Pipeline Track and the climb up Mushkpuri, is a short drive away; our Dunga Gali guide covers both walks in detail.
For anyone who wants a proper day's hike rather than a stroll, staying in Khaira Gali and driving to Dunga Gali or Nathia Gali for the trailhead works well, and it means coming back to a quieter place to sleep in the evening.
Getting to Khaira Gali
Khaira Gali is on the main Galiyat ridge road, about 14 to 16 km from Murree, reached the same way as Nathia Gali: via the Murree Expressway from Islamabad, or via Abbottabad from the Hazara side. Our Murree to Nathia Gali route guide covers this stretch of road stop by stop, including Khaira Gali's place on it.
The road is paved, narrow and winding. In winter it is subject to the same closures as the rest of the Galiyat ridge, so check locally before setting out between December and March.
Khaira Gali or Nathia Gali?
Choose Khaira Gali if you want the quietest possible stay on the Murree side of the Galiyat, a lower budget for accommodation, and don't mind driving for restaurants or a marked trail.
Choose Nathia Gali if you want a wider choice of hotels and restaurants, walking distance to the church and bazaar, and to be at the trailhead for Miranjani.
Many visitors combine the two: a quiet night or two in Khaira Gali, with day trips into Nathia Gali or Dunga Gali for food and the walks. Our Galiyat guide sets out how the hill stations along the ridge compare, and send us your dates if you would like help planning where to stay.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Khaira Gali?
On the ridge road between Murree and Nathia Gali, roughly 14 to 16 km from Murree, before Changla Gali.
What is the altitude of Khaira Gali?
About 2,347 metres.
Are there hotels in Khaira Gali?
Yes, a small number of budget guesthouses and simple hotels, with far fewer options than Nathia Gali. Book ahead in summer.
Are there marked hiking trails from Khaira Gali?
No formal marked trails start here. For the Pipeline Track and the climb up Mushkpuri, drive the short distance to Dunga Gali.
Is Khaira Gali a good base for a quiet trip?
Yes, for travellers who prioritise quiet and a lower budget over restaurants and a bazaar, and who don't mind a short drive for marked walks.
