The Margalla Hills trails will remain closed to the public for one day on Thursday, 13 August 2026, according to an official notification issued by the Islamabad district administration.
Why the Margalla Hills trails are closing
If you were planning a hiking trip this Thursday, you will need to reschedule. The District Magistrate of Islamabad has ordered a complete shutdown of the most popular routes to ensure security and administrative compliance. The closure specifically affects four major entry points used by thousands of residents and tourists every week:
- Trail 2
- Trail 3
- Trail 4
- Trail 5
The district administration has formally communicated this decision to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Both agencies are tasked with ensuring that no hikers are permitted entry into these zones during the specified 24-hour period.
What you need to do
Avoid heading toward these locations on 13 August 2026. Security personnel are expected to be stationed at the entry points to enforce the closure. If you are a regular hiker, consider exploring alternative walking paths outside the Margalla Hills National Park for this particular day to avoid disappointment at the gates.
What to watch for
The administration has not yet specified if the trails will reopen automatically on Friday, 14 August 2026, or if there will be further restrictions. Keep an eye on official updates from the CDA or the district administration's social media channels before planning your post-Thursday outings. For now, the closure is strictly limited to the one-day notification period.