The Rumli Jeep Track to Ghora Gali route is a long, rewarding stretch of 32 kilometers that mixes walking and trekking with a night under the open sky. Islamabad the beautiful sets the mood, but the real adventure begins once you leave the urban city life behind and climb into the Margalla hills towards Murree. This blogpost covers complete details with safety and security being addressed carefully.
Starting of Rumli Jeep Track
Rumli is a village of Islamabad surrounded by several small villages, Shahdara to its east and Bari Imam to its west. The track starts behind Quaid-e-Azam university Islamabad from the foothills of Margalla.
Porter bike to carry luggage from Rumli village till camp site
To keep the packs light for the long trek, more specifically the girls hiking with the group should be well taken care. It is your personal preference, but our recommendation based on years of hiking experience around Margalla hills covering above 10000 miles under our belt we recommend to hire a porter bike to carry your heavy luggage from Rumli all the way up to the campsite. With the heavy gear sorted out, one could walk freely, save energy for the climbs, and enjoy the scenery without a loaded backpack slowing you down.
It is always a good idea to be well prepared for a long excursion in the wilderness, away from urban city environment having limited to no availability of basic amenities. The track offers NO tuck shop / general store mart all the way up to KPK GH which is 13 km of intense hiking on the first day.
Group heading EAST (Rumli Jeep Track to Ghora Gali)
Wide, rugged, and open to all: the Rumli Jeep Track draws mountain bikers, 4×4 enthusiasts, and weekend hikers from Islamabad and beyond. As it’s a long journey it is recommended to attempt the hike in a group.
The trail winds through forested slopes and quiet ridges where the only soundtrack is wind moving through the pines and the crunch of your own footsteps. Far from the noise of the city, the mountains feel calm and unhurried, welcoming and inviting with each turn of the track opens up another layer of rolling green hills fading into haze.
4×4 Jeep and bike riders on Rumli Jeep Track
On the way up on Rumli Jeep Track, one usually witnesses few bikers and jeep riders on the track having a relaxed evening enjoying music, coffee/tea or whatever food they are carrying. Some groups use to carry BBQ setup and all the necessary items required to cook food in the raw wilderness to capture and mark an unforgettable memory that lasts a lifetime.
Recommended and optional gear setup for long distance hike:
Below list is tailored for professional and amateur hikers looking forward to attempt ‘Rumli Jeep track to Ghor Gali hike’, which is a long-distance hike covering 32 km in length with one overnight camping.
| Recommended | Optional |
| Backpack: 40-60 L pack with a padded hip belt and a rain cover.
Hiking stick: collapsible, reduce knee strain on descents |
Rain gear: gaiters, rain jacket, waterproof shoes or sandals. Trekking poles: pair of trekking poles in both hands |
| Footwear: Good condition sturdy hiking boots with one extra lightweight pair of sneakers and a pair of socks is recommended | Camp shoes: lightweight sandals or slides for the evening. |
| Shelter: lightweight tent or tarp, sleeping bag recommended to sustain in expected night temperature | Extras: insulated sleeping mat, blanket, pillow |
| Clothing: comfortable loose trouser, down layer in winters,
quick-dry base layer shirt, insulating mid-layer (fleece or light down), hat or cap, lightweight fleece comforter for night. |
Woolen shawl or Hoody: pair of extra shirt and trouser, warm cap for night, woolen shawl, hoody |
| Navigation: Reading the map in advance with identification of key locations enroute should be noted down. Rumli Jeep track is mostly moving in EAST direction. offline map app (downloaded in advance), paper map and compass, |
GPS watch or handheld GPS: longer battery life than a phone |
| Water: 2-3 L capacity (bottles or bladder) | Energy Drinks: Juice pack, lemon water, fresh juice |
| Food and cooking: high-calorie snacks (nuts, dates, energy bars, biscuits) in regular bag pack.
If there is an option to cook food at campsite and the hike is attempted in a group; which in this hike ‘Rumli Jeep Track to KPK GH’, all the necessary items were transported via porter bike till KPK GH. |
Cooking on the go: compact stove with gas, lightweight pot, lighter, noodles, any other food of your choice. |
| Light: Fully charged torch | Small lantern: for a comfortable camp atmosphere, headlamp with spare batteries |
| Safety and first aid: first-aid kit (blister care, painkillers, bandages, antiseptic), whistle, emergency blanket | Satellite phone: for remote areas without signal |
| Hygiene: sunscreen, lip balm, toilet paper, towel, trash bags (carry out all waste) | Hand Sanitizer: To freshen up quickly without the need of water. |
| Repair and extras: knife or multi-tool, duct tape, spare cord, power bank | Camera gear and drone setup: It is absolutely a personal choice to carry camera and drone gear. |
For hikers and nature lovers looking forward to attempt Rumli Jeep Track to Ghora Gali hike; it is recommended to carry portable mini stove, camper gas, related tea/coffee ingredients, biscuits, dates etc. in your regular bag pack.
Day 1 of Rumli Jeep Track to campsite KPK GH
13 km of moderate to intense hike on day 1 on Rumli Jeep Track starting from Rumli village takes you to KPK GH near Dino Valley Theme Park, a recreational family entertainment hub located on Pir sohawa road. It takes around 4 – 5 hours with 2 – 3 short breaks to reach the campsite (KPK GH). It is recommended to arrive at the campsite before sunset due to following reason:
- Utilizing daylight to complete the track without getting lost or confused due to navigation alignment in poor lighting conditions.
- Sunset from the ridge is spectacular, with the sky glowing in shades of orange, mustard and maroon.
- Arriving well on time provides a sigh of relief, specifically if it’s your first long distance hike with overnight camping.
- Arrangement of tinder, shrubs and wooden logs for bonfire to stay warm and a hiker’s ritual to enjoy steaming cup of tea or coffee, warm dinner and endless gossips.
Day 2: Campsite (KPK GH) to Ghora Gali Trekking (18 km)
Significance of Rumli Jeep Track to Ghora Gali route; it offers both hiking and trekking, a perfect combination for outdoor enthusiasts. Day 1 is a rewarding 13 km hike, while Day 2 is a full day of trekking, roughly 18 km, along a scenic ridge heading east. As experienced hikers, we recommend starting Day 2 trekking no later than 0900 hrs. to make the most of the daylight and the views.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast first. Many thanks to the hiking and trekking club, who arranged meals for the whole group and kept our energy high throughout the journey.
Heading East towards Ghora Gali (Day 2 trekking)
To be specific about East direction; the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so at sunrise, face the sun and you’re facing east. For long distance expeditions, it is recommended to be aware of navigation as losing the track and going in the wrong direction could pose a serious risk in terms of losing time and energy to complete the track well on time.
Own food arrangement on Rumli Jeep Track Islamabad
The first shop or a store to buy something enroute Rumli Jeep Track Islamabad to Ghora Gali comes after covering approx. 26 km of hiking and trekking on day 2 in Rakhala also known as ‘Dheri Rakhala’ in district Abbottabad, near Lora and Baroha village, Tehsil Murree, District Rawalpindi. This area is also the landmark connectivity border area between KPK and Punjab.
It is therefore recommended to carry related essential items in your bag pack from Islamabad.
Landmark navigation importance Rakhala(KPK) and Baroha(Punjab)
The landmark significance of the Rumli Jeep Track, Islamabad to Ghora Gali hike, lies in its position along the administrative seam between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Few trails let a hiker cross between two provinces on foot, and fewer still make the transition so tangible. Here the crossing is marked by the shift from Rakhala (KPK) to Baroha (Punjab). Take the upward route after crossing Rakhala general store to enter Baroha village, the exit from KPK and entering into Punjab till Ghora Gali.
Evening Tea Break in Baroha valley (Day 2 Trekking)
Entering Baroha one touches an open field having a pond and a sitting area, with the sun all set ready to dive and going into the shallows, is a perfect time to have a short break and sip some steaming tea in relaxed evening.
It is absolutely one’s personal preference and risk assessment to carry on till Ghora Gali or take an exit downward route on Arokas road till Tret. Preferably, after a long day of trekking, it is recommended to take the exit route and find some local transport till Barakahu, Islamabad.
Rumli track Islamabad: Group hike to Pir Sohawa | 25km
Tilla Charouni Hike | Highest point of Margalla Hills standing at 1604 meters
Conclusion:
Every hike carries a unique importance, even if it is the same old route / hiking path one follows. The experience of going out on a track that truly tests your endurance, strength and capacity becomes a rewarding journey on every single turn from Rumli till Arokas, Tret or Ghora Gali. The rewarding journey of 32-35 kms in length with 45000 plus steps is a hike that would last a lifetime in your excursion list. We at tendwa.net are dedicated to impart best practices, tips and techniques to keep your expedition safe and secure. Happy hiking and trekking!