The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government has recently inaugurated what looks to be Pakistan’s longest trail yet at Margalla Hills, and a walking track connecting Margalla Hills National Park and the Haripur district of the northern province.
The route, which is known as Trail No 5, is 44 kilometers long and links Islamabad with Haripur. The provincial government is hoping to develop and modernize it in order to promote tourism.
Muhammad Atif Khan, the Senior Minister for Tourism, inaugurated the Margalla ridge trail and the walking track on Saturday. The officials from the Ministry have told the media that the over 35 km-long track lies in KPK.
The minister said that the KPK government has chalked out a master plan to develop new tourist sites. Under this plan, the government will work on modern lines to start restoring tourist destinations including Kalam, Kumrat, Nathiagali, and others.
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He said that his ministry would develop the Kumrat tourist destination as a national park in a bid to exhibit the province as a tourism brand and attract tourists from around the world.
KP Secretary Sports and Tourism Shah Zaman, Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz, Chairman Wildlife Management Board Dr. Aneesur Rahman, Commissioner Malakand Zaheer-ul-Islam, and General Manager Tourist Information Centers (TICS) Muhammad Ali Syed also attended the inauguration ceremony.
Trail 5 contains three different interconnected tracks. The first one is a normal one and contains a spring called Ficus Spring. The last one is called Trail-5 Dangerous. This track is unique as compared to other trails of Margalla Hills. It features some steep areas and serves as an adventurous route for many.
As for the Ficus Spring, it has gotten popular due to the refreshing atmosphere it provides. The trekkers usually refill their water bottles and get themselves refreshed here.
Most parts of the trail 5 pass through the serene, calm, and beautiful areas of the Haripur district and offer plentiful camping spots as well.
