Chitral Gol National Park
The Chitral Gol National Park is one of Pakistan’s most scenic national parks. It is located in the Chitral district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province beside the Chitral river. Locally, it is also referred to as the Chitral National Park, the Gol National Park, and the Chitral Gol Park.
The elegance of the National Park is breathtaking, and it would be an injustice if I didn’t portray its magnificence to you. So today, we will look deeper into this piece of heaven on earth.
Chitral Gol National Park Attractions, Timings, and Location:
The Chitral National Park has various attractions that will make you love this place. The nature and scenery are genuinely astonishing, and it is a worthwhile experience no matter what time you visit. The location of the Park is nestled between rivers, mountains, and valleys, making the whole experience even more memorable.
Best Time to Visit the Chitral National Park
The view of the Gol National Park is truly like no other. You can visit it anytime, and it will feel like a magical experience. Although if you want to enjoy the National Park’s beauty, I recommend seeing it in September. During this time, it rains on the surrounding mountain peaks making the view from the Park astonishing.
In addition, it is better to visit in the afternoon at around 5:00 PM. While the Park is stunning all day, if you want to experience the true beauty of the Gol National park with the lush green of the valley and the clear blue sky, you should visit in the afternoon. Moreover, you also get to enjoy the picturesque sunset and night sky thousands of feet above sea level at this time, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Attractions at Chitral Gol National Park
The Chitral Gol National Park has a lot to offer regarding the activities you can do there. You can soak in the green outdoors, enjoy the mighty mountain tops, have a hot beverage, and live amongst the wilderness all in one trip. What you can do at the Park is truly up to your imagination. But one thing is for sure, your time there will be a mesmerizing experience that will leave you amazed.
Below are some of the activities I recommend you do at the Park:
Wildlife Sanctuary
The Chitral Gol Park is one of the most bio-diverse places worldwide. It is home to an abundance of wildlife. You can enjoy seeing several animals, such as the Markhor, Siberian Ibex, Ladakh Urial, and the Asian Black Bear. In addition, the Park also houses several bird species like the Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Golden Eagle, Demoiselle Crane, Peregrine Falcon, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, and Rock Partridge.
Markhors View Point at Chitral Gol National Park
If you want to spot one of the rarest goat species in the world, you can do that here too. The Markhor’s viewpoint is a space in the Park where you can see the Markhor.
Surrounded by Hindukush Mountains
The surrounding mountain tops further enhance the Gol National Park’s beauty. You can see the new Hindukush mountain tops from the Park, which only aid the beauty of the surrounding area.
Several Glaciers
One thing that you can’t miss is the sight of the icecap glaciers from the National Park. The white snowcaps are majestic and only add to the magnificence of the whole National Reserve.
Beautiful Natural Scenery at Chitral Gol National Park
The Chitral National Park is also fabulous in terms of its natural beauty. The mountains, the rocks, the river, and the greenery all come together to make this place one of the best nature spots for nature-loving people.
Lush Green Slice of Heaven
If you are a big fan of trees, then the Gol National Park is your place. The area is home to an abundance of trees, especially the cedar tree. This makes the National Park one of the greenest places in Pakistan and a nature-buffs second home.
Grassy Landscape
The National Park is also dotted with greenery that spreads across all the plateaus and the valleys. If you visit, you can experience one of the country’s most pristine, green locations.
Sitting Arrangements at Chitral Gol National Park
The Chitral Gol Park is also a place where you can sit back and enjoy the magnificence of nature. You can sit here with a hot cup of tea in your hand in the cold winter and soak in all the beauty.
Forest Rest House
You can also do that if you want to live in the woods. The National Park offers you a rest house in the forest where you can stay and enjoy the wilderness.
Overnight Camping
If you are an adventurer, you can always camp in the Park too. The views at night are stunning, and you can get a chance to be one with nature. You also enjoy the clear sky and gaze upon the stars as though you live amongst them!
Main Four Inspection Huts at Chitral Gol National Park
The Gol National Park has four inspection huts where visitors can inspect their belongings and rest for some time. You can think of it as a temporary guest house. The ones at Chitral Gol National Park are listed below:
1. Chaghbini Inspection Hut
This is the only hut on this list accessible by a Jeep. You can use the Jeep track to reach this hut. It is located at 8900 ft. above sea level.
2. Kasawir Hut
The Kasawir Inspection Hut is accessible through a pedestal track network. It is located at 8000 ft above sea level. It is approximately a three-hour walk from the nearest inspection hut at 7000 ft above sea level.
3. Marine Hut
The Marine Hut is located at around 7000 feet above sea level. This hut is the first one on the journey into the National Park. It is also only accessible through the pedestal track network.
4. Gokshal Hut (15000 ft above sea level)
This hut is the highest and farthest in your journey through the National Park. The Gokshal Hut is located at around 15000 feet above sea level. You can only access it on foot, so be sure you know where you are going at that altitude!
How to Reach Chitral Gol National Park?
The Chitral National Park is located in the North-West corner of Pakistan. It takes around two hours to reach the Park from the town of Chitral, the namesake of the Chitral Gol National Park. You can either drive to the Park or take a flight to the Chitral Airport and then visit the Park by cab.
How Much is the Distance to Reach Gol National Park from Islamabad?
The Chitral Gol National Park is around 275 Kilometers from Islamabad. If you drive up from the Capital Territory, reaching there takes about 6-7 hours. But don’t worry, there is a better way. You can take a flight from Islamabad to Chitral, and it will take only about an hour to reach Chitral.
Location of Chitral Gol National Park:
The Chitral Gol National Park is located in the Chitral District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan, beside the Chitral River. It takes around two hours to get to the Park from the Chitral valley. The Park and the road up to it are both spectacular, making you fall in love with the place every step of the way.
The exact coordinates for the Chitral Gol Park are listed below:
Latitude: 35.89508186214435
Longitude: 71.69078147149253
FAQs
Which wild animal is commonly found in Chitral Gol National Park?
The Chitral Gol Park is home to many flora and fauna. The main attraction of the Park is its large population of Markhor, the National Animal of Pakistan. The Park mainly houses a specific subspecies of Markhor called Astor Markhor and is critical for the survival of these goat species as they are considered endangered.
How big is Gol National Park?
The Chitral Gol Park is about 1450 to 5000 meters above sea level. The Park is spread over a total area of about 7750 hectares, making it one of Pakistan’s largest national parks.
Is the Gol National Park worth it?
Pakistan’s natural beauty is truly unparalleled. And while there are several other sites you can visit, none come close to the majesty of the Chitral Gol Park. If you want to experience a new part of heaven, Chitral National Park is your place.
Conclusion
The Chitral Gol National Park is one of the planet’s most picturesque and pristine locations. The magnificence and majesty of this place are enough to claim it as the eighth wonder of the world. So, I would like that if you get the chance ever to visit this place, don’t hesitate and go for it! Because you definitely won’t regret your decision.