Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Guide

Use this Region Guide to easily find and compare Crags.

Table of contents

1. Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)

2 1

1 Margallah Hills 2 Shahdra

Summary:

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Sazonalidade

87 routes in Region

Mostly Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.688921, 73.044764

sumário

A series of great limestone crags with a continued potential for establishing new areas to climb in.

acesso

While there are no official access issues for any of the crag surrounding Islamabad, some of the crags may have natural access issues in the form of overgrown trails due to lack of traffic on the trails leading to the rock. Expect to bushwhack. Covered shoes and clothes are recommended for most approaches.

ética

The predominant ethic is sports climbing. The fixed gear is not replaced frequently. Inspect as you climb and please do not use fixed gear to top rope. Only use it to lower so that it's life is maximized.

história

Islamabad has a vibrant climbing scene made up of members of the local climbing community interspersed with members of the expatriate diplomatic community. The history of climbing in Islamabad is both uplifting and tinged with sadness. Whilst climbers have frequented the cliffs around Islamabad for decades the current sport climbing scene really took off in 2010 when visiting UK climber John Arran teamed up with the local climbing elite who had been honing their skills at the recently opened Ibex climbing centre. John established a number of classic climbs in the Margallah Hills including Puzzled Monkey (6c+) and Action Direction (7b+), both at Jungle Rocks. John was instrumental in establishing a broad range of climbs for local and expatriate climbers alike to enjoy and develop their skills. Sadly shortly after Johns departure, two of his proteges and pillars of the local climbing scene; Imran Junaidi and Usman Tariq went missing along with Kuram Shehzad on Sarwali Mountain in Kashmir. In 2015, Japanese climber Junya Matsuura took up where John left off, continuing the development of a number of new areas in the Margallah Hills, including the very steep Saffa Wall and the excellent Mastadon. Like John, Junya, a solid 8a climber, put many hours into mentoring the local climbing community and established many climbs in the 6a range as well as a number of harder classics such as the stunning Retribution (7b+) at Mastadon. Tragically Junya fell ill and died whilst returning from a climbing trip in early 2018. He will be remembered with great fondness by the Islamabad climbing community as a talented, kind and humble man. For a recent history of rock climbing in Islamabad read John Arran's 2011 article 'Islamabad Cragging' which can be found on the UK Climbing website; www.ukclimbing.com.

1.1. Margallah Hills

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82 routes in Area

Calcário

Mostly Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.737516, 73.017316

sumário

A series of limestone crags overlooking the city of Islamabad.

descrição

A large portion of the routes were added through the guide published by John Arran and co but it is outdated on some aspects. Newer routes have been added and crags have been opened since. Certain crags such as Hidden Rock, Said pur View are hardly visted and as such, trails have disappeared and routes may have vegetation growing on them.

https://www.cda.gov.pk/about_islamabad/rock-climbing/default.asp

Please note that many of these routes have spinner bolts. Take a wrench whenever you get out to the crag here too tighten em'! Someone's gotta do it. Please make sure to pick up all trash left behind by any party.

Climbing in Margalla is a gift not many cities have on this planet and it's our duty as climbers to cherish it.

ética

Sport climbing and lower to clean. Please report any damaged fixed gear here!

1.1.1. Mastodon

Summary:

13 routes in Cliff

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.724448, 72.953902

descrição

Mastodon is the name of the cliff line that overlooks D-12. The two most obvious features are the central corner crack that is taken by Hana (6c+) and the prow that is taken by Retribution (7b+).

WARNING: Locals make off with the first bolts of some easier routes in this area. Please make sure to check if the bolt is there or not before you climb so you can make a safety call.

There are plenty of opportunities to add more lines on mastodon ( The wall stretches for quite a ways) and rock neighboring mastodon. There is an easy-ish hike to get to the top of the rock from the left most side.

acesso

From D-12/3 follow the service road north towards Mastadon. Park where the road meets the creek line at the mouth of the valley. Follow the walking track uphill to the crag. 40 minutes walk time.

história

Developed by Junya Matsuura in 2017

1.1.2. Jungle Rock

Summary:

15 routes in Cliff

Sol todo o dia 10-20 min Abandonado

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.743178, 73.050936

descrição

One of the most popular cliffs in the Margallah Hills offering climbs up to 30 meters ranging in difficulty from 6a to 8a. Although the rock it self is mostly very solid, there is loose rock on ledges that is regularly knocked over. The belayer should wear a helmet and crowds should stay away from under the climber. There is very limited, if any, cellphone reception at this crag.

acesso

Park at Damane Koh and follow the Cactus Ridge walking trail and fire break up the spur to the cliff. Walk time from Damane Koh is approximately 15 minutes. Parking costs 50RS. If there is no one to ticket you upon arrival, they will charge you regardless when you're leaving he parking lot. Water and snacks can be bought at the parking lot.

história

Developed by John Arron and friends in 2010.

1.1.3. Said Pur View

Summary:

6 routes in Cliff

30-45 min

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.747261, 73.064302

acesso

ATTENTION: The below excerpt is from the guide book released over a decade ago. This is one of the least frequented crags in Islamabad and as such, is completely overgrown. As of 1.10.2021~, there is no trail that goes directly to the crag. Rappeling is not advised as getting to the rapp point will take alot of painful bushwhacking. Best way to approach it from our experience is to follow the rock spine you will immediately see after about a 5 minute hike in. Then, you will have to search for the scramble down which is alot faster than rappeling downwards. Would caution the approach. Would also strongly advise against wearing shorts and sandels.

Driving beyond Daman-e-Koh the road zigzags up the hill. At the third zig (sharp left bend) is a covered picnic building. Park here then take a very small path directly behind the building. The path soon rises and reaches more level ground. Shortly after, the path veers left through a small rocky gap. Follow it until it’s possible to head down rightwards for 100m or so, keeping right until just before a rounded rocky ridge. The end of the crag will then be seen 100m or so down to the left. Shortly before you get there either keep on the faint path to the crag top and abseil (30m), or scramble easily down from a sloping platform of sharp rock, past a large tree to the foot of the routes. 15 minutes walk.

1.1.4. Jasmin Corner

Summary:

4 routes in Cliff

Suave Proibido fazer fogo 5-10 min Calcário

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.747337, 73.056132

descrição

A very accessible, convenient crag for beginners. Routes are short, easy and solid. Will be in shade during much of the day except in summer.

acesso

Park in a small car park on the right of the road next to a pond. Cross the road and follow good paths into the bushes and leftwards to the crag. 5 minutes walk.

1.1.5. Music Lounge

Summary:

5 routes in Cliff

Sombra todo o dia 10-20 min

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.749442, 73.060525

descrição

A perfect summer crag. Completely shaded for most of the day.

1.1.6. Beetle's Nest

Summary:

6 routes in Cliff

Plano 10-20 min

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.750945, 73.067021

descrição

CAUTION: When attempting the multipitch, make sure your gear and supplies are properly secured. Monkeys are known to take food and smaller pieces of gear.

acesso

Nice and easy approach. Mutltipitch will require some scrambling but nothing sustained.

1.1.7. Belvedere

Summary:

8 routes in Crag

Com vegetação Sol pela manhã Sol ao meio-dia Molha quando chove Caminhada íngreme Proibido acampar Proibido fazer fogo 10-20 min Arbustos Árvores caducifólias Descida caminhando Calcário

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.750945, 73.066168

sumário

Nice winter crag with some intermediate climbing on short routes.

descrição

Belvedere is a crag in the hills behind Saidpur Village close to the beginner staple crag Beetle's Nest. The crag gets direct sunlight most of the day making it unideal outside of the winter months. The routes are between 15-25 meters of beginner-intermediate climbing. Mostly just some boulder problems to solve with very little sustained climbing. Still really fun to climb, although most routes have very dangerous runouts on the easiest sections so be careful.

questões de acesso

Trail gets reclaimed by thorny bushes all summer and has to be cleared when winter comes back.

acesso

From the Des Pardes Restaurant parking area, head along the paved street in Saidpur village and down the ramp on the right on to a cemented path. Follow the path that turns into a dirt trail for about 10 minutes crossing a volleyball field to your left. At the fork, turn left in front of the hill the crag is on (Search for letters "NF" on a large boulder on the hill at the top of New Friends route). From there walk along the trail for about 5 minutes until a very thin steep trail goes into the bushes on your right in front of a boulder on your left. Follow the trail for about 10 minutes (a scramble on two easy boulders about 5 minutes in here) until you arrive at the crag.

1.1.8. God Rock

Summary:

3 routes in Cliff

Sombra todo o dia Seco quando chove 10-20 min

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.751315, 73.066186

descrição

This radically overhanging face gets no sun at all, making it a fine choice in summer. It also stays dry in the rain.

acesso

From the Beetles Nest continue north on the Monal track for another 100m. God Rock can be seen on the left approximately another 50 m from the track.

história

Developed by John Arran and Jens-Jacob Simonsen

1.1.9. Legacy East

Summary:

2 routes in Area

10-20 min Calcário

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.744732, 73.076708

sumário

Two great routes with the crux at the first 2-3 bolts. Otherwise, very easy and relaxing climbing.

acesso

Approximately 50m to the right of Kidnapped by Jesus is a tall wall, approached by a 50m scramble directly from the main trail. The two routes are directly underneath a steep ledge. Climb with caution.

ética

Sport climbing

1.1.10. Legacy Wall

Summary:

12 routes in Crag

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.744336, 73.076446

sumário

Easy Access and a good selection of well protected climbs ranging in difficulty from 6a to 8a.

acesso

Legacy Wall can be clearly seen overlooking the Shalimar cricket oval. Park at the Trail 3 carpark and follow Trail 3b to the base of the crag. Walking time from the carpark is approximately 15 minutes.

ética

Sports climbing.

1.1.11. Hidden Rock

Summary:

4 routes in Cliff

Demora pra secar Sol pela manhã Molha quando chove 30-45 min Abandonado

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.749099, 73.081578

descrição

Living up to the name, this is Margalla Hills second most secluded crag. With 4 routes present and potential for maybe some more, its worth the visit.

WARNING: Soil is very loose in the area and due to the extreme lack of traffic, vegetation overtakes this area and approach very quickly. Please contact a local climber through here or social media to make sure the trail is clear. Also, please make plans to exit this crag by 5 in the summer and earlier in the winter months. The area gets very dark w/ a potential to get lost. Wild animals are also active in these remote parts.

1.1.12. Well Hidden Rock

Summary:

4 routes in Unknown

Escalada esportiva e Escalada trad

Lat / Long: 33.749719, 73.081366

1.2. Shahdra

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5 routes in Crag

All Escalada esportiva

Lat / Long: 33.774457, 73.174100

sumário

Easy to reach, in a scenic valley with a nice stream.

descrição

A limestone crag with 5 routes established on it from 5a to 6c(?). Four routes on the north face, one on the east. 8 - 12 meters height.

acesso

Follow Murree road towards east from Islamabad. 4.3 kms after the junction with Kashmir highway take a left turn (road sign showing Shahdra). Drive 5.5 kms and after a sharp left turn (before you exit the valley towards north) you will find the crag, right at the road. You may also park here.

1.3. Ibex

sumário

Islamabad's first and best climbing wall.