By These hikes occurred in the lush green landscape of AJK with water courses flowing from close to their sources. They define the valleys and bound the mountain ranges which generally rise towards north and east. A much-improved road network connects the popular touristic attractions: mountain tops and terraces with flowing meadows being the choiciest ones. So, we are talking of Tauli Pir, a mountain resort in Rawalakot District at about 8800 feet, or as per some accounts 8400 feet above the sea level or 2600 meters.
Some of these mountains are better known as abodes of saints or pirs like the one being referred to. There are others like Neza Pir, Pir Chinasi overlooking Muzafarabad, Haji Pir to name a few. So, the landscape bears indelible affinity with the Kashmiri sufistic and tolerance-based culture. We decided to hike upto Tauli Pir and later Ganga Choti in the adjoining Bagh district over the 19-20 May 2023 weekend. The hikers included me, Asad, Tufail and Imitaz. Air Commodore Tufail very kindly coordinated the logistic support.
| Tauli Pir approach and trek |
We left Islamabad early on 19 May via Kahuta for Rawalakot to reach in about three hours on a generally good road less some slide prone patches short of the Azad Pattan bridge . fre followed the road to Khaigala and onwards to meet guides at a
vantage point that allowed a view of the ridges leading to Tauli Pir. Logistic constraints made us decide against a longer trek and we opted instead to drive to the AJK Tourism Rest House at Ghori Mar which is relatively close to it. From there we made a short cross-country run to the Tauli Pir Ridge where an asphalted road brings the tourists to a car park.
It is a plateau shaped mountain with the Ziarat located on its highest point where two extended rolling meadows meet. We trekked along one of them, descended to an adjoining ridge and then returned for tea and haversack lunch. Bagh Valley is towards its north with a track connecting it through Lasdana. Poonch River drains eastwards. The Indian held Poonch City is not far but it is not visible as Forward Kahuta and Chirikot mountain ridges (on our side of LOC) intervene.
We then decided to leave on the same afternoon for Sudhan Gali in Bagh district for the hike to Ganga Choti next morning. We arrived late and again thanks to Tufail who facilitated our lodging in a local hotel. The rooms were perched on its top floor with a spiral staircase built on the outside. So, you came down at your peril especially at night.
It was a pleasant hour and a half hike from Sudhan Gali to Ganga Choti base or the car park by ascending successive green ridges. Its height is nearly 10,000 feet or 3045 meters above sea level. The ascent to its narrow top point takes another hour through a stony neck. The route is frequented by tourists. As per our local guide, the Hindus used to bring the ashes of the dead to the Top as an offering to the Holy Ganges. In their view the snow-covered mountains feeding the Ganges are visible from Ganga Choti. That is one explanation of its name.
There are more challenging trekking options to Ganga Choti as numerous ridges roll down to Bagh in one direction and to the river Jhelum closer to the Line of Control. It offers a fascinating sight of the perennially snow-covered Pir Punjal Range in the Held Kashmir and the mountains rising from the Bagh and the Jhelum valleys. Both venues are easily reachable and are popular tourist destinations. AJK Tourism Rest Houses and other hotels lodge tourists.
| Ganga Choti Trek |
We were pained to see random trashing on the two destinations by the tourists. The arrangements for waste collection and disposal seemed far from adequate. So, there is a need to promote environmentally friendly tourism and one that minimizes harmful impacts on the fragile ecosystems. To conclude, we experienced pleasant hikes in good weather and returned to Islamabad on 20 May in the afternoon.
Tauli Pir
