The Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Park is a protected area of about 473.7 square kilometres in the hills north-east of Rawalpindi, covering forest between Murree, Kotli Sattian and Kahuta. It is run by the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department. It is not a fenced park with a ticket booth and a visitor centre: much of it is working forest with villages, roads and farmland, and most visitors pass through it without knowing they have.
That shapes how to visit. This guide explains what the park is, what lives there, where you are most likely to be inside its boundary, and the rules of thumb that help protect it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Area | About 473.7 sq km |
| Where | North-east Rawalpindi district: Murree, Kotli Sattian and Kahuta hills |
| Managed by | Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department (Rawalpindi Wildlife Division) |
| Declared | Listed as November 2020 on Wikipedia; some earlier research papers already call it a new national park |
| Elevation | About 500 m in the south to about 2,270 m on the upper ridges |
| Main trees | Chir pine and grey oak |
| Entry | We found no published gate, fee or opening hours for the park as a whole |
What is the Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Park?
The park was declared under Pakistan's Protected Areas Initiative, which set out to expand the country's network of national parks. The park joins the forests of three hill areas into a single protected block, and one reason for doing so is to keep a corridor of habitat between them. The forests also hold the water that feeds streams and the supply of downstream communities.
A management plan for the park was discussed at a stakeholder workshop in June 2022, organised with IUCN Pakistan as part of a biodiversity project linked to the Karot hydropower scheme. The priorities named there were wetland conservation, preventing and managing forest fires, protecting wildlife habitat and restoring damaged ecosystems.
The point for a visitor is that this is a protected landscape rather than an attraction. There is no single entrance. You enter it by driving the roads to Murree, Kotli Sattian or Kahuta and walking in the forest around them.
What wildlife lives in the park?
The vegetation is dominated by chir pine and grey oak, typical of the subtropical pine forests on the lower Himalayan slopes. Higher up, the forest becomes cooler and moister.
Research and the park's official description list a wide range of animals:
- Carnivores: leopard, leopard cat, jungle cat, red fox, golden jackal and small Indian civet.
- Other mammals: rhesus macaques, pangolin and barking deer, which has been studied in the park.
- Birds: kalij pheasant and many migratory and resident species. One published review counted 147 bird species across the park, along with 12 mammal species, 15 reptiles, 13 amphibians and 819 plant species recorded in research.
You will rarely see the leopard. Most people see macaques near roads, birds in the forest and, with luck, deer at dawn or dusk. The sensible expectation is a quiet forest walk rather than a wildlife safari.
Where can you experience the park?
Because there is no gated entry, the best way to think about visiting is by area.
- Kotli Sattian. The most rewarding side for walkers, with forest roads, village paths and waterfalls. See our guides to Kotli Sattian and to Bissa Waterfall.
- Murree and the hills around it. Trails and viewpoints on the ridges, for example those in our guide to hiking trails in Murree.
- Kahuta. The southern end of the park, with lower and warmer forest.
In April 2024, Dawn reported that the Punjab Tourism Department had identified three sites in Kotli Sattian for development as tourist points: Mandi Jawa, Chewra and Dhanoi with Burj, with chairlifts, eco-camping and paragliding among the plans. Those plans were still subject to approval at the time, so we cannot say what is open. Check locally before you set out for any of them.
How to visit without harming it
The park faces ordinary pressures: forest fires, grazing, tree cutting and rubbish from visitors. A few habits help.
- Never light fires in the forest, and put out cigarettes properly. Forest fires were named as a major concern in the management plan.
- Stay on existing paths and roads. Do not cut through young forest or chase animals for photographs.
- Carry out all rubbish, including bottles and wrappers.
- Do not feed macaques. They quickly become bold and sometimes aggressive around food.
- Keep noise down near forest edges, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Ask before camping. Rules for camping in protected forest are not always clear, and we could not find published rules for the park, so ask local forest staff first. Our camping in Murree guide covers the practical side.
Seasons and conditions
The elevation range, from about 500 m to 2,270 m, means conditions vary a lot within a short distance. The lower areas near Kahuta can be warm while the high ridges are cool and damp. Monsoon brings slippery paths and landslides, winter can bring snow on the higher ground and forest fires are a recognised risk, so take care with any flame. Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable for walking. For the wider hills, see our guide to the best time to visit Murree.
Is it worth visiting as a national park?
Only if you are happy with the idea of a protected forest rather than a ticketed park. We found no marked trail network or visitor centre for the park as a whole. Our guide to Ayubia National Park is a better fit if you want a more organised park experience.
If you enjoy quiet forest roads, birds and small waterfalls, and you can tolerate patchy signal and basic facilities, then it is a good reason to explore the Kotli Sattian side. For a first trip to the Murree hills with children or elderly parents, start with the standard sights and treat the park as a bonus. See more ideas on our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Park?
About 473.7 square kilometres in north-east Rawalpindi district, according to Wikipedia's summary of the park's declaration.
Is there an entry fee for the national park?
We found no published entry gate or fee for the park as a whole. Individual attractions inside it may charge for parking or entry, so carry cash and ask locally.
What animals live in the park?
Leopard, leopard cat, jungle cat, red fox, golden jackal, civet, rhesus macaque, pangolin, barking deer and many birds including kalij pheasant. Most visitors see only macaques and birds.
Who manages the park?
The Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, through its Rawalpindi Wildlife Division.
Can you camp in the national park?
We could not find published camping rules for the park. Ask local forest or wildlife staff before camping, never light open fires and take all rubbish with you.
