The 14 Most ICONIC Hikes in Pakistan (2022)
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Loading... - Gauri Sasane
- 27 Jun 2022
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I first came to Pakistan for the scenery, and because I thought I might get to shoot an AK into the air (I did), and it has never disappointed. Pakistan is packed to bursting with incredibly diverse landscapes and offers some of the best trekking in Asia – from easy day hikes to super tough expeditions, Pakistan has something for hikers of all abilities (and budgets).
The Himalayas in the north, where the most beautiful hikes in Pakistan are to be found, make the scenery incredibly dramatic, and increasing awareness of foreign tourists means it’s easier than ever to get lost, but not literally, in the true wonder of Pakistan.
To give you an idea of how amazing this country is, I assembled a list of 14 of the most spectacular treks in Pakistan. These are, hands-down, some of the best country; nay, the entire world. If anyone is still on the fence about visiting Pakistan, I suggest they give this article a look.
The 14 Best Hikes in Pakistan
So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to fourteen of the best treks in Pakistan!
The Best Overall Treks in Pakistan
These Pakistani hikes are sure to blow your mind and give you some of the best views of your life!
1. Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp
· Difficulty: Medium
· Duration: 2 days
· Region: Diamer, Gilgit Baltistan
I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Fairy Meadows three times now while backpacking in Pakistan, it’s a truly amazing place. It’s not just the name that’s mythical, the place itself is magical. I’ve been to The Fairy Meadows in February (very challenging as there was waist-deep snow in places) and August and September.
If you go at the right time of the year, i.e. when it’s not covered in snow, you can push on to Nanga Parbat Basecamp – an 8 hour round trip hike.
Trekking to the Fairy Meadows itself is pretty easy and can be done in a couple of hours, the true challenge lies in the long but rewarding hike to Nanga Parbat Base Camp, where you can get SICK views of the 9th highest mountain in the world.
2. Barah Broq
· Difficulty: Medium
· Duration: 2-3 days
· Region: Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan
If you’re looking to do a multi-day trek in Pakistan but don’t want to spend days on a glacier, the hike to Barah Broq may be the perfect one for you.
Barah Broq is a relatively offbeat trail about a 3-hours drive from Skardu. The trail takes its name from the village of Barah, where the trail starts, and the village is about as authentic as it gets. The houses are still made from mud around here and the #1 commodity is apricots, which the village is famous for. Experiencing both make Barah worth visiting.
Of course, the hike itself is the main attraction. The trail starts in a deep and arid gorge and makes its way up to the higher reaches of Barah Broq. Eventually, the trails tops out at 4300 meters and at this elevation you will find two beautiful alpine lakes with some of the purest water in the country.
But that’s not the end of the trek; the best part is the optional day hike up to Moses Peak from the lakes. At 5350 meters, Moses Peak offers one of the most panoramic views I have ever seen. From here, you can see every single one of the greatest mountains in Pakistan, including K2, Nanga Parbat, and the Gasherbrums. This is one of the best views of the Karakoram you can get without doing the Concordia Trek.
3. Patundas
· Difficulty: Medium-Hard
· Duration: 2-3 days
· Region: Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan
If you’re looking for a truly epic adventure, look no further than the Patundas trek. Starting from just above Borith Lake, the trek to Patundas will take you across the beautiful Passu Glacier to a meadow that sits at 4170m. From Patundas, you’ll be greeted with jaw-dropping views of the Batura Glacier, the iconic Passu Cones, Shispare Peak, and more.
I’ve been lucky to take on the multi-day Patundas journey multiple times now, including a semi-frozen attempt in 2021. As cool as it was to see such a sick landscape covered in snow, the best time to trek to Patundas (which is located in Upper Hunza Valley, my favorite place in Pakistan) is undoubtedly from mid-late July when the lush meadow becomes filled with a sea of wildflowers and overnight temperatures are comfortable.
Patundas is usually a 2-night/3-day excursion for most, which means two fantastic nights with your backpack and a tent, far away from sounds and sights of civilization. Read More…
