Trail 7 Islamabad inaugurated on 23rd August, 2022 by the then CDA Chairman Captain (R) Muhammad Usman Younis along with DC Islamabad Mr. Irfan Memon. It spans a 5km of completely marked trail. The newly inaugurated trail 7 Islamabad is a good addition for hiking community.
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Trail 7 Islamabad starts from Zone-3:
Starting from Siri Saral C-12; a village in zone-3 Islamabad near Dera Dari restaurant. Trail 7 Islamabad had a board installed at the start point mentioning the basic details of the distance and end point. This is the only regular trail of Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) that starts from zone-3, all other trails from 1 – 6 starts from zone-1 Islamabad.
Parking in trail 7 Islamabad:
It has limited parking with not much security. Due to its recent opening, there is no staff presence hence an increased risk of insecure parking. Therefore it is recommended to park your vehicle at Dera Dari restaurant that is almost 100 meters from the trail 7 Islamabad starting point.
Is it safe to hike solo on trail 7 Islamabad?
Due to its limited number of trekkers and hikers in the area, it is recommended to go with a partner. Trail 7 Islamabad is not frequently traversed by hikers as mostly prefer to go on trail 3 and trail 5 being quite safe and secure due to presence of wildlife department along with rangers post. Until proper staff presence at trail 7 Islamabad, it is our recommendation to visit the hiking trail in a group or with a partner.
Essentials to bring at trail 7 Islamabad:
There is no tuck shop or general store nearby to buy snacks or water bottle, therefore it is absolutely recommended to pack your bag a day before. This will save your time without much hassle. Good planning is crucial before execution. A poorly executed hike could be costly. Following list is carefully prepared to cater your wandering lust with safety and security:
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Alexander the Great Hiking trail
Trail 7 Islamabad has a unique significance due to its historical background associated with Alexander the great and his army. This trail is just few kms away from Taxila; passage area used by army of Alexander the great to advance his campaign towards India proper. His target was to secure his line of communication by establishing a system along river kabul . Between 327 – 326 B.C, Alexander carried out Cophen campaign through swat valley in Pakistan. Cophen was the name of a river now known as river Kabul. The 700 km long river Kabul starts from Hindukush mountain range in Eastern Afghanistan and connects with Pakistan in KPK province. The close proximity of trail 7 Islamabad to Taxila is enough fact that this area has been traversed by Alexander the great.
Water stream at trail 7 Islamabad
There is a water stream at the beginning of the trail within 500 meters of trekking. The water stream at trail 7 Islamabad remains dry during the winter season. Water starts to flow in summer and monsoon season that is from June – September. The fresh water stream on this trail adds a flavor and gives your hike a jubilant experience.
Trail 7 Islamabad is well marked
CDA had done an excellent job to mark the trail with white markings for hikers and trekkers to know the right path. These white markings extend till the end that helps you stay within marked area and avoid getting lost.
Time selection
It is important to pick the right time to go out for a nice hiking experience on trail 7 Islamabad. Morning is the best time to start your hike as one had ample time to return before dark. As trail 7 Islamabad is less frequented by hikers, it is recommended to complete your hike before sunset.
Intensity of hiking at trail 7 Islamabad
It takes around 120 – 150 minutes of moderate to intense hiking to complete 5km and reach the top. There are patches with easy trekking and some patches with intense hiking. So be mindful of the energy required to complete the trail. For beginners 2.5 km of hiking and returning back is recommended. Seasoned hikers can go for complete 5km depending on the energy levels.
Views from trail 7 Islamabad
The stunning views of Shah Allah ditta village, D-12, E-11 and Taxila from the top is breathtaking. Sunset hues and shades of orange, yellow and mustard with lush green mountains feels like a beautiful painting over the canvas. This area has a lot of potential for tourism and hiking community.
Trail 7 Islamabad ends at Kainthala village
After 5km of complete hiking and trekking experience, one reaches the top at Kainthala village. For enthusiast hikers there are multiple options in the area to trek further and explore. One of the main attractions is “Alexander Well” in losar baoli which is still functional and is believed to be built in the era of Alexander the great. At the end of the trail 7 Islamabad there is a café to have tea, coffee or snacks.
Return journey from trail 7 Islamabad
After reaching the top at Kainthala village, one can take a ride on local transport; hire a cab or bike service to reach back where you parked your vehicle. To avoid any inconvenience it is recommended to arrange own transport.
Conclusion
Trail 7 Islamabad is a nice addition for hikers and nature lovers. With adequate planning and risk assessment your hiking experience would surely be amazing and memorable. So what are you waiting for? Pick up your phone, give a call to your friends and go for an amazing hiking experience.