Trail 1 in Islamabad is the longest and least walked of the Margalla Hills trails, starting behind sectors E-8 and E-9 and climbing over three ridges before it reaches the Pir Sohawa road. It is a different kind of outing from Trail 3 or Trail 5: fewer people, no maintained steps, and several hours of genuine hill walking rather than a short climb to a viewpoint.
This guide covers where it starts, how the route runs, how long it takes, and who should attempt it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Start point | Near the Gandhian/Kalinjer area behind E-8 and E-9, opposite the National Defence University |
| Distance to Pir Sohawa road | Three ridges; sources give roughly 2 to 4.5 hours depending on pace and endpoint |
| Difficulty | Moderately tough, with unmaintained and exposed sections |
| Best hours | Early morning, to finish before the afternoon heat |
| Suitability | Fit, experienced hikers; not a first Margalla trail |
Where Trail 1 starts
The trailhead is on the northern edge of E-8/E-9, near what hikers call the Gandhian or Kalinjer area, opposite the National Defence University. It sits at the end of the double road that runs between the PAF Air Headquarters in E-9 and the Navy headquarters in E-8, close to a small restaurant that many people use as a landmark when giving directions. There is no large formal car park here, unlike Trail 3 or Trail 5, so arrive early if you are driving.
The route: three ridges to Pir Sohawa
Trail 1 climbs in stages, crossing three separate ridgelines before it meets the Pir Sohawa road at the top of the Margallas. The first stretch, up to the initial clearing, is the closest thing the trail has to an easy section. Beyond that the path becomes unmaintained: narrower, rockier, and in places running close to drops and exposed rock walls, with parts of the ridge rising above 1,000 metres.
Accounts of how long the full route takes vary quite a bit, which is worth knowing before you set out. Some describe reaching the Pir Sohawa road in around two hours for a fit, fast hiker heading straight there; others, walking the fuller route with stops, put the whole outing closer to four or four and a half hours, especially if you continue past Pir Sohawa road towards Talhar or Sinyari village rather than stopping at the road. Treat two hours as an optimistic best case and plan your day around four or more.
Route variations and endpoints
Trail 1 does not have a single fixed finish. Depending on which path you take once you are up on the ridge, you can come out at:
- The Pir Sohawa road, the most common finishing point and the one to aim for if you want a straightforward pickup or the option to walk down the road to Daman-e-Koh.
- Talhar village, further along the ridge, which adds distance and time and needs transport arranged from a different point than where you started.
- Sinyari village near E-10, another possible descent, again requiring a car at a separate location.
Unless you have specifically planned one of the longer finishes with transport waiting, aim for the Pir Sohawa road and treat anything beyond it as an extension for a longer day.
Who should walk it
Trail 1 is the trail to pick once you have already done Trail 3 or Trail 5 and want more of a challenge, not before. The unmaintained middle section, the exposed rock, and the length all add up to a serious hike rather than a stroll.
- Fitness matters more here than on any other numbered trail. Several hours of continuous climbing and descending, with no shops or water points along the way.
- Go in a group, not alone. The trail is far quieter than Trail 3 or Trail 5, so there is less chance of help nearby if something goes wrong.
- Women, children and hikers over 60 face real physical limits on most of the route beyond the first clearing, though the lower section can still make a shorter family outing if you turn back there.
- Footwear matters. Proper hiking shoes with grip, not trainers, given the loose rock and exposed sections higher up.
What to carry
- At least 1.5 to 2 litres of water per person; there is nowhere to refill on the trail
- Sturdy hiking shoes and a hat
- A phone with an offline map or GPS track, since signage thins out after the first clearing
- A basic first aid kit, given how far the middle section is from help
- A start time early enough to be well down before dark
Is Trail 1 worth it?
If you want a viewpoint and a modest climb, Trail 1 is the wrong choice: Trail 3 and Trail 5 both do that in a fraction of the time, and our roundup of every trail explains how they compare. Trail 1 earns its place for hikers who have outgrown those two and want a genuine half-day in the hills with almost no crowd, ending at the same Pir Sohawa road where you can still get a view over Islamabad, described in our Pir Sohawa guide, before heading back down.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Trail 1 in Islamabad start?
Behind sectors E-8 and E-9, near the Gandhian/Kalinjer area opposite the National Defence University, at the end of the double road between the E-9 PAF and E-8 Navy headquarters.
How long does Trail 1 take?
Reports vary: a fast hiker heading directly to the Pir Sohawa road can do it in around two hours, but a fuller walk with stops, or one continuing past the road, commonly takes four to four and a half hours. Plan for the longer figure.
Is Trail 1 harder than Trail 3 or Trail 5?
Yes. It is longer, less maintained, and crosses three ridges with exposed, rocky sections, compared with the shorter, better-marked climbs on Trails 3 and 5.
Is Trail 1 suitable for beginners or children?
No. It suits fit, experienced hikers. The lower section up to the first clearing can work as a shorter family walk, but the rest of the route has real physical demands and exposure.
Where does Trail 1 finish?
Most hikers finish at the Pir Sohawa road. Longer variations continue to Talhar village or Sinyari village near E-10, both of which need transport arranged at a different point from the start.
