NATHIAGALI, Dec 20 (APP): As clouds gathered over the pine-clad hills of Abbottabad and a chill crept into the air, the promise of snowfall drew thousands of visitors to the Galiyat region on weekend, turning northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a bustling winter sports playground.
From the winding roads of Nathiagali and Donga Gali to the higher reaches of Ayubia and Thandiani, families, young adventurers and nature lovers arrived from across Pakistan particularly Punjab and KP, hoping to witness the season’s first snowflakes.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s forecast of weekend snowfall proved enough to spark a fresh wave of winter tourism in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
For many, Nathiagali remains the heart of the winter experience. Nestled in the western Himalayan range, the hill station welcomed tourists who strolled through misty forests, sipped hot tea in roadside cafés and paused to admire the snow-dusted peaks of Mukshpuri and Miranjani towering above them.
“Nathiagali is my favourite winter destination,” said Nasir Khan, a visitor from Nowshera, as he stood watching clouds drift across the mountains. “It has everything such as an easy access, clean air, cool weather and even trout fish. Enjoying trout during snowfall doubles the joy.”
He recalled that during a visit five years ago, travelling through the area required car tyre chains. “This time the journey was smooth,” he said, crediting improved road management and effective measures by the Galiyat Development Authority and district administration.
Across Ayubia-Nathiagali Road, Mukshpuri Top and the trails linking Donga Gali to Ayubia, local guides, photographers and horse riders found steady business as tourists queued for short treks and scenic rides.
Children played in the cold drizzle, while elders wrapped themselves in shawls, soaking in the mountain calm broken only by the sound of wind through tall deodar trees.
Visitors pointed out that high hotel charges during peak seasons could discourage families from returning. Authorities hope this issue will ease with new investments, including a planned five-star hotel at Nathiagali, estimated to cost USD 25 million.
According to the KP Tourism Department, the provincial government is pushing an ambitious, pro-tourism agenda. Four Integrated Tourism Zones at Thandiani (Abbottabad), Ganol (Mansehra), Mankial (Swat) and Madaklasht (Lower Chitral) are to be developed with World Bank support. These zones will feature modern hotels, resorts and upgraded infrastructure aimed at easing pressure on existing destinations.
Officials said that last winter alone saw record numbers of tourists in Swat, Chitral, Nathiagali, Kaghan and Naran, generating significant economic activity across the province.
To further support local communities, the government has launched the “Stay Home” project, offering interest-free loans to residents of tourist areas to build quality guest rooms and curb overcharging by hotels.
New camping pods in areas such as Kalash Valley, Allai, Buner and Battagram have already begun attracting visitors, while more sites from Kumrat and Kalam to Samana Top and Dir are set to follow.
Colonial-era walking tracks are being restored, ski resorts planned, and new hill stations proposed to spread tourist flow more evenly.
Massive connectivity projects, including the Swat Motorway extensions and new expressways, are also underway. Perhaps the most ambitious plan is a 14-kilometre cable car linking Kumrat Valley with Madaklasht—envisioned as one of the world’s longest and highest expected to draw nearly one million tourists annually once completed.
Back in Nathiagali, as evening descended and temperatures dipped further, tourists gathered around heaters and fireplaces, sharing stories and waiting for snow.
Whether it falls lightly or blankets the northern hills of Hazara and Malakand divsions, the winter rush has already begun bringing with it both joy for visitors and renewed hope for livelihoods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mountain communities.