Dagri Bangla Trek Guide
23rdJune 2021
Dagri Bangla (Bungalow) is a remote forest rest house located deep within the dense forest of the Galiyat region. Despite being abandoned, it is a popular destination for hikers and backpackers for overnight camping on its grounds.
The location of the Bangla is incredibly serene and peaceful due to its remoteness and for many it is the ideal weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of civilisation.
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Hike Overview
- Hike Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Length : 14 km (8.7 mi)
- Typical Hike Duration (One-way): 6.5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 614 m (2,014 ft)
- Max Altitude: 2,971 m (9,747 ft)
- Water Availability: None
- Trailhead: Miranjani Trek Starting Point, Namli Maira
- Trailhead Altitude: 2,357 m (7,733 ft)
- Campsite: Dagri Bangla
- Guide: Usually available from near the Trailhead
- Porters: Usually available from near the Trailhead
- Car Parking: Available at trailhead on weekends
Note: Preserving nature for future generations is the responsibility of every tourist / hiker. Please DO NOT LITTER, DO NOT DRAW GRAFFITI, DO NOT CUT TREES.
Trip Overview & Itinerary
| Day | Time | Journey | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 08:00am to 11:00am |  Islamabad to Nathiagali |
3 hours |
| 11:30am to 02:30pm |  Nathiagali to Miranjani |
3 hours | |
| 03:00pm to 05:30pm | Miranjani to Dagri Bangla |
2.5 hours | |
| Day 2 | 07:00am to 09:30am | Dagri Bangla to Miranjani |
2.5 hours |
| 10:00am to 12:00pm | Miranjani to Nathiagali |
2 hours | |
| 01:00pm to 04:00pm | Nathiagali to Islamabad |
3 hours |
Notable Tips
- There is no easily accessible water source on this hike. Hence, carry at least 3 litres of water for the roundtrip. Try not to consume more than 1.5 litres on the way to Dagri Bangla. There is a seasonal water spring slighly further ahead of the bangla but it is out of way and unreliable.
- Weather is highly unpredictable on the trail, always carry appropriate gear for protection against rain such as raincoat, rucksack cover and waterproof shoes.
How to Reach Dagri Bangla?
By Car
The starting point of the trek to Dagri Bangla is located in Nathia Gali, KPK.
From Islamabad, head eastbound on the Srinagar Highway (formerly known as Kashmir Highway). The highway merges with Murree Road and heads towards Murree and Galiyat. Prior to the Toll Plaza on the old Murree Road, there is a roundabout from which there are two routes to Murree. One is the aforementioned old Murree Road and the other is the Murree Expressway which is a dual-carriageway. The Murree Expressway is longer but faster and the old Murree Road is slower but shorter. Neither one is ever a clear winner.
Reach Murree from either route and then follow the signboards towards Nathiagali. On the way to Nathiagali you will pass by Dungagali which is the starting point for the hike to Mushkpuri and Pipeline track.
Prior to reaching Nathiagali bazaar (market) turn right towards the governer house and church. Keep right again at the next intersection and head past the church and then take the first right. This road, which is usually in poor condition, will descend towards the trailhead. Keep left at the first junction and carry on until you see the solitary hut at the following junction. The concrete steps towards the right side of the hut are the start of the trail.
Hike to Dagri Bangla
The trail to Dagri Bangla can be split into two sections. The first section being Trailhead - Miranjani and the second section being Miranjani - Dagri Bangla.
For the first section, the trail starts off with a few concrete steps leading into the forest. The trail levels ever so slighlty before becoming steep for the initial 1 km of the hike. At the end of this first ascent the trails becomes flat and you can enjoy a pleasant walk through the woods with decent views of the surrounding hills.
At the first split in the trail take the path on the right. This path will lead to the small pond past which there is a guy selling tea and snacks. Miranjani Peak and its iconic steel pillar is visible from this point in the distance straight up ahead of you.
As you proceed into the trail the chirping of the birds becomes more and more noticable. The trail is pretty straightforward up until near the very top where there is another split in the trail. The path to the left leads to the Miranjani Peak whilst the path straight up ahead leads to Dagri Bangla.
If you wish to visit the Miranjani Peak it will take you about 7-8 mins to get there and fewer to get back. In total, reaching the Miranjani-Dagri junction will take about 3 hours from the trailhead, fewer if you are not carrying a backpack.
For the second section (Miranjani - Dagri Bangla), you will descend down through a hilly meadow. After about 20mins you will once again come across a junction with several paths. Make sure to stick to the path to the left as the others lead to villages.
From this point onwards it would take about 2 to 3 hours to cover the 8.5 km to Dagri Bangla through a mostly flat trail. This stretch of the hike is undoubtedly the highlight of the trip and it is the main reason why people visit Dagri Bangla in the first place. The hike to Dagri Bangla is all about the journey instead of the destination.
Compared to the first section (Trailhead - Miranjani), the trail to Dagri Bangla is narrower with a lot more vegetation along the way. The pine forest in this area is a lot denser and consequently there is more wildlife here. This is mostly evident by the incredible continuous chirping sounds of the birds to whom the forest is home. It should also be noted that this region is also home to the nocturnal common leopard. For this reason, the trail must be avoided at night for the safety of both humans and animals.
There are several small meadows along the way where the forest canopy opens up. Almost at the very end of the trail there is a board stuck to a tree on the left which indicates that you have reached the Forest Rest House. Turn left here and a minute or two later the Bangla will come into view to your left.
Although it is highly unlikely that you will miss the board and carry on straight, it should still be mentioned that the trail extends for much longer on the other side of the Bangla towards Thandiani. Hence, not spotting the board, however unlikely, can prove to be a grave mistake.
Camping at Dagri Bangla
After hiking 14 km in about 6 to 7 hours you will reach the abandoned forest rest house 'Dagri Bangla'. People usually setup their camps on the veranda of the Bangla. You can also setup camp on the surrounding grounds.
Make sure to bring your own camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, stove etc since these things are not available at the campsite
If needed, some locals provide services at the campsite such as fetching water from a nearby spring or setting up a fire for cooking etc
Available Facilities at Campsite
| Facilities | Availability |
|---|---|
| Tents |  |
| Water | limited |
| Food | |
| Toilet | |
| Phone Signals | limited |
Equipment
Having the right equipment and gear is essential for an enjoyable hiking experience. Check out the list of recommended hiking gear.