Nathia Gali in winter is cold, quiet and, from about late December to early March, often under snow. The heaviest falls now tend to come in January and February, and a big storm can close the Galiyat road for a day or more, with police turning tourists back at Barian and Harno, the two ways in. The trip works best midweek, a day or two after the snow has fallen, with a heated room booked and a spare day in hand.
This guide covers when snow actually falls, what happens to the roads after a storm, what there is to do in the snow, and the safety rules that matter.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Snow season | Mainly December to February; possible in November and early March |
| Temperatures | Days around 6 to 9 °C; nights around −4 to 0 °C |
| Ways in | Barian (from Murree) and Harno (from Abbottabad) |
| Recent entry bans | March 2025; 25 to 28 January 2026; 10 February 2026 |
| Cleared first | The main Murree–Abbottabad road; link roads take longer |
| In the car | Snow chains, a full tank, dry food, warm clothes |
| Emergency | Rescue 1122 |
When does it snow in Nathia Gali?
Snow used to come mainly in late December and January. In recent winters the pattern has shifted later, and February is now often the snowiest month. Light snow can arrive surprisingly early, as it did on 9 November 2023, and heavy falls still come in early March.
The winter of 2025–26 shows how uneven a season can be:
| Date | What happened in the Galiyat |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | Visitors arrived for the holidays; no snow yet |
| 1 January 2026 | First snow of the winter: about 8 inches in Nathia Gali, a foot in Changla Gali |
| 24 January 2026 | Three to four feet in Nathia Gali, Dunga Gali, Ayubia and Changla Gali; the road blocked from Bagnotar to Barian |
| 25 January 2026 | Tourists barred from the Galiyat for four days |
| 10 to 11 February 2026 | A foot to a foot and a half more; tourists stopped at Barian and Harno after landslides |
The lesson is that you cannot book a snow trip months ahead and expect snow. Plan around the forecast instead, and be ready to move your dates by a few days.
What happens to the roads after heavy snow?
Knowing how the clearing works helps you judge when to go.
- The main road comes first. After the February 2026 storm, the KP Highway Authority sent heavy machinery to clear the Murree–Abbottabad road and spread salt on the slippery stretches. The Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) clears the town roads and, during the snow of January 2026, ran control rooms to guide visitors.
- Link roads take longer. The roads up to hotels and houses off the main road, and to places like Thandiani, can stay blocked for days. In February 2026 some link roads had still not been cleared from the previous snowfall when the next one arrived.
- Tourist entry can be stopped. When the roads are dangerous, the Abbottabad district administration closes the Galiyat to tourists at Barian and Harno. In February 2026 locals were let through after checks of their ID, but visitors were not.
- Power and signal go down. Heavy snow brings down lines, and the February 2026 storm cut electricity and communications in several areas.
In practice, the first clear day after a storm is often not the day the road reopens. Check the news on the morning you plan to drive, and if tourist entry is closed, wait.
How to plan a winter trip
- Watch the forecast, not the calendar. The weather by month guide shows the odds; the forecast a few days out tells you what will actually happen.
- Go after the snow, not during it. A day or two after a storm, with the main road cleared and the sky clear, is the best time. Driving up while snow is still falling is how people get stuck.
- Go midweek. The weekend after the first big snowfall is one of the busiest of the year, and jams on a snowy road are more than an inconvenience.
- Book the right room. Choose a hotel on the main road, with its own parking, proper heating and a generator. Our hotels in Nathia Gali guide lists what to ask.
- Keep a spare day and plan to drive back by early afternoon, well before dark and before the roads refreeze.
Driving up in snow
The GDA's standing advice to winter visitors is short: wear warm clothes, keep the fuel tank full, use snow chains and don't park in landslide-prone spots. Add dry food and water to that, and practise fitting the chains at home rather than for the first time on a slope in the cold.
Two rules matter more than any others. If the police close the road, turn back. And never sit in a stationary car with the engine running if snow may have blocked the exhaust. In the Murree snowstorm of 7 and 8 January 2022, 23 people died, some from the cold and some from carbon monoxide in cars trapped on the roads. The same ridge, the same weather and the same risks reach Nathia Gali.
What to do in Nathia Gali in winter
The town slows right down in winter, and that is much of the appeal.
- Walk the Pipeline Track in the snow. The flat forest path from Dunga Gali to Ayubia is lovely under snow, though slower and slippery in places. Boots with a good grip make all the difference. Our Pipeline Track guide covers the start points.
- Stroll through the town to the old church above the bazaar and along the main road, where the views over the snow-covered forest open up.
- Let the children loose in the snow near the hotel, which for many families is the whole point of the trip.
- Photograph the morning after a storm, when the air is at its clearest and the snow is fresh on the deodars.
- Leave the summits to the prepared. Mushkpuri and Miranjani become proper snow hikes, with knee-deep drifts in places and ice on the steeper sections. Go only with good boots, someone who knows the route, and never while snow is falling.
Staying warm indoors
Hotel rooms in the Galiyat vary a great deal in winter. Ask before you book what kind of heating the room has, whether it runs on the generator during power cuts, and whether there is hot water all day.
If the room has a gas heater, keep a window slightly open while it runs and switch it off before you sleep. Carbon monoxide gives no warning.
What to pack
- A proper winter coat, thermals, gloves and a woollen hat
- Waterproof boots with a deep tread, and spare socks
- A torch or headlamp and a power bank, for power cuts
- Any regular medicines, plus a few days' extra in case the road stays shut
- Snacks and water in the car
- Snow chains that fit your tyres
Is Nathia Gali worth visiting in winter?
For couples and families who plan properly, yes. Nathia Gali is higher and far less built up than Murree, it is quiet midweek, and the forest under snow is one of the finest sights in the hills near Islamabad.
It is a poor choice for a first-time snow driver on a holiday weekend, or for anyone who cannot afford to be stuck an extra day. If that is you, Murree is an hour closer to Islamabad and has far more hotels; our guide to snowfall in Murree covers it. For other options, see our round-up of snowfall places in KPK. If you would like us to plan a winter trip around the forecast, send us your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nathia Gali open in winter?
Yes. The town is lived in all year and hotels stay open, but heavy snow closes the roads, and tourist entry has been stopped at Barian and Harno during storms, as in January and February 2026.
Which month is best for snow in Nathia Gali?
January and February. Snow now tends to fall later than it used to, and February is often the snowiest month; December is less reliable.
Can a normal car go to Nathia Gali in snow?
Once the main road has been cleared, yes, with snow chains fitted and careful driving. During or just after a heavy fall the road may be closed or unsafe whatever you drive, so wait for it to be cleared.
How cold is Nathia Gali in winter?
Days are usually around 6 to 9 °C and nights around −4 to 0 °C. It feels colder in wind and during power cuts, so pack for well below freezing.
Is it safe to go to Nathia Gali in snowfall?
It is safe with planning: go after the storm, stay on the main road, book a heated room and turn back if the road is closed. The danger is getting stuck in traffic during a storm.
Can you hike in Nathia Gali in winter?
The Pipeline Track is walkable in snow with good boots. Mushkpuri and Miranjani need proper winter footwear, experience or a local guide, and clear weather.
