We shopped for needed supplies in the evening and we were at
trail 5 starting point at 6:00PM. Skies were clear and at that time cool breeze
was blowing. There were only us at that time and we liked it because of its quietness.
Trail 5 also begins from Margalla Road in F-6 (about 500m
down from Trail 3 - opposite Judge's Enclave) and is initially an easier trail
to climb. Trail 5 connects with Trail 3 (via Trail 4) and meets beyond Trail
3's viewpoint.
About 2KM in the start is an almost straight path. A natural
spring flows along with it.
As we were climbing up, it was getting harder and then we
started to make little stops and do the needful with our supplies. The nature
was at its best and we were determined to defeat it today. This 1.8KM was a narrow
path with greenery on its both sides. We could hardly have a sight view and we
were wondering whether whole trail would be like this. Because we wanted to
enjoy the sky view of Islamabad and surroundings.
At last we were at the best part of trail 5. We had vast
view of surroundings now and it was all fare to have these sights. We still
couldn’t find any other hikers on this trail. Now we were below the Manal Restaurant
and there were four ways to this point. One was from where we were coming. On
was going straight up to hill, other to near village that had spring. 4th
a straight path coming from left side of trail 5.
We decided to visit spring. It was easy trail here and we
had whole Islamabad in front of us. After half an hour we reach at the spring
and we were disappointed. We were expecting a fresh, cool, deep spring where we
were planning a bath, but unfortunately it was just a splash of a spring.
Anyways, we kept our spirit high and decided to move to Manal Resturant from
here. So in another 30 minutes, we were at Manal Resturant.
Now there is a new restaurant in progress called La Monata.
It was around 9:00PM and we were here at Manal. The Manal was closed, so we
came to La Monata for breakfast. We had our breakfast. It was yummy and
expensive and there rate is little high. About 1000 PKR per person for an
average food here.
Now we were ready to come back and we followed our trail
from here. At 10:50 AM we were at starting point again. But another journey was
waiting for us at the starting point of trail 5. We saw a sign 150 Feet away. We decided to pay a visit there.
After more than 1500 feet, we were just wondering on trail with greenery surrounding.
There was nothing here. So we came back.
Overall it was good exercise and it was beautiful landscapes
one could dream of.
