Picnic spots in Gokina margalla hills

[xzap042]

I went to Gokina village couple of years back for picnic. It was a nice place with many picnic spots besides water for cooling off. Now I'm planning to visit again on Sunday but I'm not sure if there are still water spots suitable for picnic.

If anyone who went there recently can please confirm or better yet mark location on map if there are any suitable spots.
If not I would like to know of similar places nearby. I've heard of a spot near highland country club but haven't been there.

[UAHMAD]

Nilan Bhotu is a decent spot. Not many people go there because it used to be a jeep trail but since last year a carpeted road has been constructed.

Search Google for coordinates. It's not far away from Pir Sohawa.

[xzap042]

Is it easily accessible or requires hike to reach there. I'll be visiting with kids.

[bright.jupiter]

It is easily accessible to kids as well, no hike required. One has to go down(2-3 mins ) from main road to water stream. The descent should not be problem for kids, however could be difficult to elders. Two year back it is not possilble to reach there without jeep, as fellow member stated that now road is carpeted so it must not be a problem now. Take everything with you as difficult to find things nearby.
Plenty of fish in stream, but not allowed to fish. There is also a shrine (Bari imam).

[incognito59]

Please keep it clean and leave nothing but foot steps.

[UAHMAD]

Nice pics.

In addition to what you have written, I shall add here that there are two more spots in the area that come after this shrine along the same road where no hike is needed.

[xzap042]

Thanks, can you pinpoint coordinates on map

[UAHMAD]

Nilan Bhotu Shrine: 33.83150, 73.18596

Next along road side: 33.833267, 73.193782

[dms664]

Do u have pics of the next 2 picnic spots?

[UAHMAD]

Pics in post no. 2 are from those spots.

One of these require some walk (not hiking/trekking).

[xzap042]

Went there yesterday, overall it was not such a great experience. The water is not clear. It's muddy and with too much algae growth in it suggesting not so fresh water.
Also being weekend it was too much crowded, we went early and it was already crowded. When we returned around 3 pm it was literally like a festival there.
Not recommended from me, not on weekends anyway. There are better options.

[UAHMAD]

I am sorry if you didn't like the place. I went there in last winters on a weekend. There was just one family and water was also fresh, at least not that dirty like what you saw. Those family members were sitting on chairs in the water.

I think due to the new road people are now aware of it, hence it's overcrowded. Sometimes I feel that access to beautiful spots should remain difficult so that we can't pollute the natural environment.

Anyways, this was my first and last recommendation of any recreation spot on PW. Once again sorry to disappoint you.

[bright.jupiter]

I used to go there whern it is not possible to reach there without jeep and it was wonderful place back then. What else do you found for a day trip from Islamabad. Perhaps due to newly built road and influx of tourists spoiled the place.
However, recommendation to best of your knowledge is better than not recommending any thing, if someone asks for.
I also feel bad for my recommendation.

[xzap042]

Guys, no need to feel bad about anything. You're not at fault.

This place was already on my watch list, it just didn't turn out to be worth it to go that far for.
And you're right, I also strongly believe that access to such beautiful places should not be that easy. We as a nation ruin everywhere we go.

[HellsGuardian]

Any other nearby places that you can recommend, i too plan to visit with kids.

[bright.jupiter]

Considering hot weather and if kids are water loving than Khanpur dam spill way is another place to spend a day. Once you cross the bridge and in the bazar there is a trek going right that leads to spill way. The trek is difficult for low clearnce vehicles.
https://goo.gl/maps/EdJaeS3bVWZmRZKh6
start early have some fun in water till lunch. Have some chappal kabab from the road side restaurant for lunch.. Move on to road that leads to Mabali Island. There are several other resorts where water sports can be enjoyed as well if time permits, otherwise you can spent an entire day at the resort. The last point on the same road is an archeological site "Bhamala". The road condition is not that good. while going to Bhamala, there are several points where Khanpur dam looks pretty charming. (not sure of now as water level is low these days due to lack of rainfall.)

[xzap042]

Bhamala was good, I went there 2 years back, wasn't crowded and had nice water. But I don't know current situation.

[dms664]

look like good picnic spot, can u mark it on google map and share link

[bright.jupiter]

Khanpur dam spillway: https://goo.gl/maps/SnBMvXCRLbngNdLj6 Trek from main road to spill ways marked in yellow, approx one km, not suitable for low clearance vehicles.

Chapli kebab: https://goo.gl/maps/fFq2TC1pBFBTRr3u5 (not exactly the same point, but this is the market where there are seveal kabab sellers and choose one of them, I could',t pinpoint one i tried on the map). May not be very healthy/hygenic but delicious. and one may not like'em in this hot weather

Bhamala stupa https://goo.gl/maps/qcXkgN1WrYfwpH7R8 . It could be disappointing to you if no interest in archeology. btw the route is scenic, but could'nt guarantee these days due to low precipatation and heard Khanpur dam is low on water. Route is narrow at places, high clearance vehicle recommended and one has to be a good driver in rainy daiys due to mud/slippage/debris etc.

Gandhara castel Resort https://goo.gl/maps/zLE9Pw4KTqsn1EHs6 Had dinner there, recommended. food and service was good. Few yards ahead there is famous "Mabali Island", but did'nt go there as they were charging entry fee per person, which can be redeemable at water sports, but due to late night we would not be able to avail that.