Pakvisit! Islamabad: Margallah Hills National Park

Margallah Hills National Park was established in 1980 to preserve and protect the flora, fauna, and scenery in its natural state. The national park presents remarkable diversity of the biological cultural and recreational resources and partly forms watershed for two drinking water reservoirs at Rawal and Kharpur. Its hills and forest plays an important role in providing clean air, fresh water, and comfortable environment.

4 km up the hilly drive, there is a turning to Margallah Viewpoint, go another half a kilometer and you will arrive at the parking lot. If you wish to refresh your self turn left to the stalls and a restaurant or go right to get the bird eye view of Islamabad.
Now drive along the main road for real driving fun for there are 12 hairpin bends and two double bends in the next 5 kilometers till you level off on the 7-kilometer long crest line. You will arrive at Chowki, 3725 feet elevations; a cool breeze will welcome you for most part of the year. Even in summer, it is usually pleasant. From here, a short trek up the pine hill is exhilarating.
Driving beyond chowki to Pir Sowaha, the hilly drive is on the gentler side climbing to 4020 feet above sea level. There is a restaurant here called Sohawa Heights, and a small hotel coming up next to the restaurant. There is also a CDA forest rest house. Pir Sohawa offers a bird eye view of the entire Rawal Lake. The roadside view also changes from bushes to pine trees and the sound of the rustling wind. The original name of Pir Sohawa is Kotla village, and it is the last village of NWFP.
While enjoying what the park has to offer, observe the simple instructions displayed on the board. These are concerned with the prevention of accidents, fires and protection of plants and wildlife.