Pakistan🇵🇰 | national parksGurez ValleyBorder valley, meadows, wooden villages | things to do and best time to go

Trails in Gurez are largely unmarked, so hiking here means route-finding by ridgeline and river rather than trail blazes. Terrain shifts fast: gentle valley floor walking near Dawar gives way to steep, rocky ascents toward Habba Khatoon Peak, and higher routes into Tulail Valley demand solid fitness and some scrambling. Wildlife sightings are modest but include marmots, occasional snow leopards at higher elevations (rarely seen), and abundant birdlife along the river.

• Habba Khatoon Trek: roughly 5-6 km round trip, 4-5 hours, moderate to difficult, steep switchbacks with panoramic summit views.
• Dawar

… read more 👉

Trails in Gurez are largely unmarked, so hiking here means route-finding by ridgeline and river rather than trail blazes. Terrain shifts fast: gentle valley floor walking near Dawar gives way to steep, rocky ascents toward Habba Khatoon Peak, and higher routes into Tulail Valley demand solid fitness and some scrambling. Wildlife sightings are modest but include marmots, occasional snow leopards at higher elevations (rarely seen), and abundant birdlife along the river.

• Habba Khatoon Trek: roughly 5-6 km round trip, 4-5 hours, moderate to difficult, steep switchbacks with panoramic summit views.
• Dawar to Tulail Valley Walk: around 15 km one-way, full day, moderate, riverside terrain with gradual elevation gain.

Public transport barely reaches the valley; shared jeeps from Bandipora or Srinagar are the practical option, and the last stretch often requires hiring local transport. Crowds are minimal outside peak summer weeks. There's no formal park entrance fee, but travelers should expect identity checks at military checkposts along the approach road.