The best lesser-known gems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for most travellers are in Hazara, within a day of Islamabad: Siri Paye meadow above Shogran, Thandiani above Abbottabad, and the Miranjani and Mushkpuri peaks in the Galiyat. Each is off the main tourist loop, yet reachable from a paved road with a short jeep ride or hike. The more famous "hidden" valleys further north, such as Kumrat and Mahodand, sit in areas where foreign governments advise against travel, so they are treated separately below.
This guide is a shortlist, not a ranking. For each place we give the altitude, how far it is off the road, the season, and who it suits. For more detail on any of them, follow the links to our full guides.
| At a glance | Altitude | Off the road | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siri Paye meadow | About 3,000 m | About 6 km of jeep track from Shogran, roughly 45 to 60 minutes | Late June to early October |
| Thandiani | About 2,750 m | About 31 to 38 km from Abbottabad, depending on source | Summer; winter access can be limited |
| Miranjani | 2,992 m | Trek of about 4.7 km, starting near Nathia Gali | Dry months; avoid heavy rain |
Siri Paye and Payee Lake, above Shogran
Shogran is a well-known plateau at about 2,362 metres, around 34 km from Balakot in Mansehra district. Above it, a jeep track of about six kilometres climbs to Siri Paye, an open meadow at roughly 3,000 metres with the small Payee Lake in the middle. The meadow is ringed by high peaks including Makra, at 4,419 metres, and Malika Parbat.
Most visitors stop at Shogran, so the meadow feels quieter than Naran. The ride takes about 45 to 60 minutes and is best in dry weather: in the rains the muddy track becomes slippery and hazardous. Sources give peak wildflower bloom from late June to late July, with a wider season from late June to early October.
Read our guides to Siri Paye, how to reach Shogran and Shogran valley. Camping is covered in Siri Paye camping.
Thandiani, north of Abbottabad
Thandiani is a forested hill station at about 2,750 metres in the Galiyat region, in the mountains above Abbottabad. Its name means "cold place", and it is thicker with forest than many nearby hill stations, with leopards, monkeys and pheasants recorded among the local wildlife. Distances vary between sources, from roughly 31 to 38 km from Abbottabad.
It has been a summer destination historically, with facilities occupied mainly in warmer months, and the road beyond it towards Muzaffarabad was damaged in the 2005 earthquake. Check road condition before driving further than the hill station itself. See our Thandiani guide for how to reach it and where to stay.
Miranjani and Mushkpuri, from Nathia Gali
The Galiyat region has more than the bazaar in Nathia Gali. Miranjani, at 2,992 metres, is the highest peak in the Galiyat, inside Ayubia National Park. The track starts a short drive from the Governor House in Nathia Gali and covers about 4.7 km with a climb of around 600 metres. Experienced hikers take about 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours, and beginners three to four hours.
Mushkpuri, at about 2,800 metres, is the second highest peak in the area, above Dunga Gali. Both are day hikes from a road, with no permit fee that we could verify, and both suit reasonably fit walkers rather than small children. Our Galiyat hiking trails guide covers the routes, and the wider Galiyat guide helps with the plan.
What about Kumrat, Mahodand and Shangla?
These are the places most lists of little-visited valleys put first, and they deserve a straight answer. Kumrat valley in Upper Dir and Mahodand Lake in the Usho valley above Kalam are both beautiful and far less visited than Naran. But Upper Dir and Swat are on the UK government's list of areas where it advises against all travel, and Shangla is on the list of areas where it advises against all but essential travel.
Security has worsened in parts of KP in 2026, including a suicide bombing at a peace rally in Kabal, Swat, on 2 August that killed 17. Pakistani visitors still travel to these valleys, but check local news and current police advice before setting out, and tell someone your route. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, which may say not to go and can void travel insurance. Our KPK safety guide lays out the region-by-region picture, and if you decide to go, see our guides to Kumrat valley and Mahodand Lake.
How to plan a trip off the main loop
A few habits make these places easier:
- Travel in the dry months. Monsoon rain turns jeep tracks to mud and causes landslides, so avoid the peak rains for high meadows.
- Start early. Jeep drives and hikes take longer than the distance suggests, and afternoon cloud is common at altitude.
- Carry cash. Small places may not take cards or have signal for transfers.
- Ask about the track the evening before. Condition changes with weather.
- Keep a spare day in case rain or a closure delays you.
If you want the well-known names instead, our hill stations in KPK guide covers them, and our destinations page shows where we run trips.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Siri Paye for a high meadow with a jeep ride and camping. Choose Thandiani for forest and a cool base near Abbottabad. Choose Miranjani if you want a proper hike from a road with a summit view. If you want the most remote valleys, accept that these carry real security caveats and read the advice first.
Frequently asked questions
Which lesser-known places in KPK are worth visiting?
Lesser-visited places within reach of a road include Siri Paye above Shogran, Thandiani near Abbottabad, and the Miranjani and Mushkpuri peaks in the Galiyat. Kumrat and Mahodand are also little-visited but fall in areas with travel warnings.
Is Kumrat valley safe to visit?
Upper Dir is on the UK government's list of areas where it advises against all travel. Pakistani travellers still go, but check local news and police advice first.
Which lesser-known place in KPK is closest to Islamabad?
The Galiyat places, Miranjani, Mushkpuri and Thandiani, are the closest, all in Abbottabad district. Shogran and Siri Paye are further along the Kaghan road.
When is the best time for Siri Paye?
Late June to early October, with wildflowers strongest from late June to late July. Avoid the wettest days of the monsoon because the track becomes slippery.
Can I do these places without a guide?
Siri Paye and Thandiani can be reached by jeep or car without one. For longer treks like Makra or unfamiliar tracks, a local guide is sensible.
