The Ultimate Guide to Miranjani Top: The Highest Peak of Galyat
Situated at its heart, Miranjani Top is the highest peak of the Galyat region. It stands tall at a height of 2,992 meters (9,816 ft). The Miranjani trek start point is near Nathia Gali, which offers another great one-day hiking excursion—the Mushkpuri top.
In this detailed guide, we are going to discuss all about the Miranjani top, including location, weather, best time to visit, and much more. So, give this ultimate guide to the Miranjani hiking trek a read, if you are planning an adventurous hike to the Miranjani top.
Miranjani Location
93 km (57.7 miles) north of Islamabad, Miranjani is located in the western Himalayan region in the Namli Maira area in the Ayub National Park, in Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the Province of Pakistan.
Miranjani Weather
Miranjani weather is quite unpredictable—with rain often coming from nowhere. When we started our Miranjani hike, the weather was clear and the sun was shining brightly, with no sign of rain. However, within thirty to forty minutes of our hike, the clouds started to gather up and it started pouring down. We pulled out our raincoats and continued to hike and the rain drama continued throughout the hike, it would rain for a few minutes then it would stop and then it would rain again, and often sun would come out of hiding.
Given the towering elevation of Miranjani Peak, this kind of unpredictable weather is nothing unusual—we experienced the same weather on our Mushkpuri hike.
Miranjani in Summer
Miranjani top weather is mild and pleasant during the summer months, with temperatures ranging between 20°C to 30°C. But as the sun sets, it starts to get a bit chilly. Also, the temperature drops after rain showers. So, do not forget to pack your jackets and raincoats.
Miranjani in Winter
During winter months, it is bitter cold at the Miranjani top, with temperatures often dropping below the freezing point. Miranjani top in winter is covered with snow, becoming an inviting place for winter survival expeditions. Because of heavy snow, the trek to Miranjani top in winter becomes extremely slippery and dangerous, necessitating proper gear and experience.
When to Go for Miranjani Top Hike?
Miranjani Peak is accessible all year round, and adventurers go there throughout the year. Even during the harsh winter months—many winter survival enthusiasts summit Miranjani. So, the best time for you to visit Miranjani Top would depend on your preferences.
If you are going for a winter survival expedition, go during the winter months (December to February); if you are looking for an easy hiking excursion, you can go from April to September as the temperature is mild during this time. However, if you want to enjoy the wild Miranjani trek to its fullest, best go during August and September as nature is in full bloom during these months and you get to see a lot of colorful flowers (yellow, pink, white, red).
How to Get There?
| Faizabad, Islamabad to Miranjani | 93 km | 3 to 3.5 hrs |
| Murree to Miranjani | 44 km | 1 hr 40 min to 2 hrs |
| Abbottabad to Miranjani | 43 km | 1 hr 30 min to 2 hrs |
Islamabad to Miranjani
It is best to travel in your car, but you can also use the bus service. You can catch a bus from Faizabad. It would be best if you could catch a bus going towards Abbottabad via Miranjani Bazar. Otherwise, you can consider getting on a bus to Murree and then taking a van from Murree to Miranjani Bazar. From Miranjani Bazar, the Miranjani trek start point is about 3 km. You can hire a vehicle to take you to the starting point, but I’d suggest that you walk—it is a beautiful road.
When going from Islamabad to Miranjani you will have to start your journey from Faizabad. From Faizabad, Miranjani is 93 km (57.7 miles) away via Murree Road. Driving on Murree Road you will pass Barakau (22 km), where you can stop for breakfast if you haven’t had anything. Or you can continue driving and make a breakfast stop at Murree (67 km).
Depending on the traffic, it will take you anywhere between 3 to 3.5 hours to Miranjani from Faizabad.
Murree to Nathia Gali—Miranjani
Miranjani is only about 44km away from Murree with 1.5 to 2hrs travel time. You can take a van from Murree bus stop, which will drop you at Miranjani Bazar, and from there you can either take a ride or walk to the Miranjani trek start point.
Abbottabad to Miranjani Top
Miranjani is only about 43km from Abbottabad. It takes only 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Miranjani from Abbottabad.
When coming from Abbottabad to Miranjani, you will have to follow the Murree Road and by passing Dhamtour, Bunkot, Harnoi Waterfall, and Bagnoter, you will reach Nathia Gali. If you are planning on traveling via local transport, you can hop on a bus that is coming back from Abbottabad to Faizabad via Nathia Gali.
Miranjani Trek
| Trek difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Peak altitude | 2,992 meters (9,816 ft) |
| Elevation gain | 635 m (2,083 ft) |
| Miranjani trek start point altitude | 2,357 m (7,733 ft) |
| Total trek length | 5 km |
| Hiking time for seasoned trekkers | 1.5 to 2hrs |
| Hiking time for amateur trekkers | 3 to 4 hours |
| Water availability on trek | NO! |
| Snack availability on trek | NO! |
| Porter availability on trek | Yes |
| Guide availability on trek | Yes |
| Car parking | Available at trailhead. |
Situated at an elevation of 2,992 meters, surrounded by clouds, towering pine trees, and colorful flowers, Miranjani Peak offers a dreamy trekking experience to hiking enthusiasts. Besides being the highest peak of the Galyat region, it is an easy to moderate-level hiking trek.
The total distance between the Miranjani trek starting point and the Miranjani Top is about 5km to one side. A seasoned trekker can easily summit this peak in about 1.5 to 2 hours, if you do not hike often, it can take you up to 3 hours. Descending from Miranjani top to Nathia Gali will take only about 1 to 1.5 hrs.
Miranjani trek start point
Google map coordinates for the Miranjani trek start point are 34.0794285, 73.3930079. Put these in Google Maps or click on the link and let Google Maps take you there. If the van drops you is Miranjani Bazar and you consider coming to the Miranjani trek starting point on foot, you will have to take the stairs that are right in front of the Red Onion Restaurant.
You will follow the road which goes to the Governor’s house ahead of the church. But before the governor’s house, you will take a right downward turn and then continue. There will come another T junction, where the right turn goes to the Bakot Forest, but for the starting point of the Miranjani trek, we will continue on the straight path until another T-junction, where you will spot a green board saying “Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Road” and a white solitary hut, which is actually the Miranjani trek starting point. Here note that the Miranjani trek is not to the right side of the road; that road leads to other villages. Just at the mouth of that road, on your right, you will see concrete stairs that will lead you into the forest, on your way to the Miranjani Top.
| Park At Your Own Risk! You have to park at your own risk. However, some local guy might show up asking for a 100 rupee, saying that he looks after the parked cars. It is an informal transaction and he does not give you a receipt or anything. While you might want to question the authority of this individual and not pay the “parking fee.” But I’d strongly advise against it. Because my friend did not pay the parking fee as the guy had no authority to charge it and it was a public space. But when we came back home, he later found out that the viper on his rear windshield was not there—most probably the parking guy stole it. So, do not get on the wrong side of the parking guy. |
You can also take a vehicle from Miranjani Bazar to drop you at the Miranjani trek start point.
Hiking to Miranjani Top
Miranjani trek starts with concrete stairs behind the hut that leads into the dense forest. The trek is covered with stones and it is not very muddy or slippery, even after rain. The trek keeps getting steeper in the beginning for about 1 km but then it becomes flat and with a flat trek there will be a bit of mud slush and muck on the trek.
Soon you will come across the first trail split—the right one is steeper, while the left is flatter. You can take any path and they both lead to the same destination. Whichever path you take, you will come across a small pond/lake, where you might get to see some cows roaming around. This pond is situated around in the middle of the Miranjani trek, when you come across it pat yourself on the back for completing half of the trek and continue your journey. In winter, this pond is frozen, allowing you to skate and run on it.
The trek would continue to get steeper and you will soon come across another trail split point—the trail on the right, going up, leads to the Miranjani Peak, while the downward trail goes to Dagri Bangla, which is about 8km away and can be trekked within 2 to 3 hours.
From this split, it will take only about 10 minutes to reach the Miranjani Peak.
Summiting the Miranjani Peak
The Miranjani top is marked with a tall pole of about 30 feet. So, when this unavoidable pole is in your sight, know that you have summited the Miranjani peak.
Miranjani Peak offers majestic views of Nathia Gali, Mushkpuri Peak, and Azad Kashmir. And if you are lucky and the weather is clear, you might even be able to see the grand snow-clad Naga Parbat from Miranjani Top.
On my summit, the clouds had limited the sight and I did not get to see these majestic views. However, here are a few shots I took on the way to the top.
Riding Horse to the Miranjani Top
Miranjani Peak can be difficult to summit if you do not have an active lifestyle or you are accompanied by children or elders. But worry not, you can consider hiring a horse to take you to the top and back.
As you finish the concrete steps at the Miranjani trek start point, you will find many horses for rent there. At the time of my visit, which was in August 2023, the asking price for a horse ride from the Miranjani trek start point to the top and back was 6000pkr but you can always bargain to fetch a better price.
Camping at Miranjani Top
Before you set up your camp at Miranjani Top, know that there is no drinking water source or a snack point. Also, cheetahs are roaming in the forests, which comes out as the sun sets and it starts to get dark—you can find the warning at the Miranjani trek starting point.
So, if you are planning on camping at Miranjani Top, you will have to come fully prepared. You will have to bring all the food and water that you need to keep you rejuvenated. You will also have to make arrangements for rain and cold as it gets quite chilly at night and also the weather is unpredictable and it often starts to rain out of nowhere. It is completely safe to camp at Miranjani top, less the Cheetah warning. But on my hike to Miranjani top, all the wild fauna that I saw were cows, bees, butterflies, and ladybugs.
Cheetah Warning
If you do come across a cheetah do not run or throw stuff at him, as it will only make Cheetah think that you are a threat and he might attack. Generally, cheetahs do not attack humans. But if Cheetah starts to move towards you, you should fully extend your arms to look bigger and start making loud noises. If the cheetah still does not back off, you should take out a knife if you are carrying any—or keys, whatever you can use to defend yourself. Read the following guide to learn what to do in a face-off with a cheetah in nature. There has been no cheetah incident on Miranjani Peak, so do not let this cheetah warning keep you from camping at Miranjani Top at your own risk.
Camping at Miranjani Top Arranged by Locals
One local boy with a horse told us that if you want to camp at Miranjani Top and do not have the camping gear, locals can help you with camping. I do not know how it works but I guess, they can set you up a camp and provide snacks. I asked a group of trekkers who had camped at Miranjani Top with the help of locals, and they told us that the asking price for the arrangements made by locals was 25000pkr but they bargained and agreed on 15000. This included a tent with quilts to stay, dinner (chicken karahi), a bonfire, tea, and breakfast (paratha, omelets, and tea) in the morning.
If you consider this option, ask what is included and what’s not and bargain on charges first.
Additional Tips for Trekking to Miranjani Top
- There are no huts or makeshift snack shops: Neither on the top nor anywhere on the trek, there are any permanent points where you can buy snacks or water. If you are lucky, you might find some locals selling water and juices and some snacks at different points on the trek but oftentimes, there is no one.
- Bring Ample Water: There is no source of drinking water on the trek or at the top of the Miranjani. So, must bring your water to stay hydrated.
- Bring your snacks: Besides keeping yourself hydrated, you will also need to maintain your sugar and mineral levels. So, along with water, you must bring some snacks with you to replenish your energy and keep cramps at bay.
- Come prepared for rain: Miranjani weather is very unpredictable. One minute the sky is clear and the sun is shining brightly and in the next minute cloud starts to gather up and in a couple of minutes it comes pouring down. And the temperature drops as it rains. So, come prepared for the rain as well as the cold, even during summer.
- Be Mindful of trail splits: There is not much rush on the Miranjani trek. And if you are trekking on weekdays, there might be even fewer people on the trek. So, do not get off the trek. There are two trail splits on the trek. The first one does not matter as both meet after a while. But there is another split that comes a little after you cross the small water pond. This trail split is very important because one way leads to Dagri Bangla and the other one leads to Miranjani Peak.
- Wear Proper Trekking Shoes: The Miranjani trek can be slippery, especially after rain. As horses tread the trek, after rain the soft mud becomes mud slush. So, make sure that you are wearing good hiking boots and consider carrying a stick in your hand.
Hotels Near Miranjani
Miranjani Top is easily a one-day hiking trip from Islamabad and Abbottabad and you do not really have to spend the night here. But if you got late on the descent, or you are on vacation, or just want to spend the night below I have discussed a few of the most popular hotels in Nathia Gali, near Miranjani.
Alpine Hotel Miranjani
Alpine Hotel and Resort Nathia Gali, is one of the best places to stay in Miranjani, Nathia Gali. It is only 2.9 km away from the Miranjani Trek Start point. So, if you are beat after the trekking and want to spend the night in Nathia Gali, this would be a great place if you are looking for a high-end option.
Summer Retreat Hotel Nathia Gali
Summer Retreat Hotel Nathia Gali is another great option for staying in Nathia Glai. It is only 3 km away from the Miranjani trek start point. Offering majestic views of lush green pine woods, this hotel is a perfect place to stay for your summer retreat.
Hotel Galiyat Continental
If you are looking for a budget option to stay in Nathia Gali, Hotel Galiyat Continental is a great option. It is located in the main Nathia Gali Bazar, only 3.4 km away from the Miranjani trek start point. They offer spacious rooms with majestic views and terraces but before booking, you might want to check if the room is clean and washrooms are not smelly, because many visitors complain.
FAQs About Miranjani Trek
What is the Highest Peak of Galyat?
Situated at an elevation of 2,992 meters (9,816 ft), Miranjani Top is the highest peak of the Galyat region and also that of Abbottabad. Miranjani is 616 feet (187 meters) higher than the Mushkpuri peak. Miranjani hiking trek is also comparatively a bit longer and difficult.
How long is the Miranjani trek?
Miranjani hiking trek is about 5km (3.1 miles). The trek starts with concrete steps behind the solitary hut on the Sardar Yousaf Road.
How long does it take to hike Miranjani?
Miranjani trek is an easy to moderate level hiking trek of about 5 km. Miranjani hike time depends on person to person—where a seasoned trekker can easily summit it in 1.5 to 2 hours and even less, an amateur can take up to 3 hours or even more to reach the Miranjani top.
Which is better Miranjani or Mushkpuri?
It depends. I personally like Miranjani better. I have been to Mushkpuri twice and only recently summited Miranjani Peak for the first time.
Besides, it being the highest peak in the Galyat region, I like the Miranjani peak more because its hiking trek is a bit longer and difficult and there are not many people on the trek. Also, the Miranjani trek is less slippery, even after rain. And given that Miranjani is at a higher elevation, it is dreamier and more picturesque than the Mushkpuri trek.
But before you embark on summiting Miranjani Peak, know that there is no water source on the trek and also unlike the Mushkpuri trek and peak no one is selling snacks or water on the trek or the top. The only thing that I like more about the Mushkpuri Top than the Miranjani Peak is that it offers a lot better views and it is way more expansive a the top—like a meadow.
Can You Camp at Miranjani Top?
There are no official camping spots and given the warning of Cheeta, camping is not generally recommended at Miranjani top. However, many still camp at the Miranjani top. For camping, you will have to come fully prepared as there are no water sources and no snack stalls at the top.
Which is the Best Restaurant Near Miranjani?
I do not know about the best restaurant. But on our way back, we were famished and ate at the Great Onion Restaurant. Their food tasted great and also the rates were quite reasonable. Now, I do not know if it was their food or if we were just ravenous after the day of trekking.
I hope the guide helps you better plan your hiking trip to the Miranjani top. If you have any questions or want to add something, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Happy trekking!
