Sharan Forest - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

 

Sharan Forest is, one of the untouched places in the Kaghan Valley, known for its lush green dense pine forest. It provides a vast landscape with clean environment and healthy atmosphere and preferable place for camping, hiking, and wildlife. It is located near Paras village at the distance of 11.5km and accessible by crossing a bridge over the Khunhar River using jeep.

Sharan Forest is the gateway to different tour places such as Sharan Waterfall, Manshi Top, and Musa ka Masala Mountain. Manshi Top is the base camp of Musa ka Masala mountain, but from this side, trek is much difficult and short. The famous trek to Musa ka Masala leads from Phatekka near Balakot.

Manshi Top is a green mountain in the Sharan Forest and accessible through dense thick pine forest. The initial trek is little bit difficult and then it becomes easy to ascend. It takes two hours from Sharan Forest to access the Manshi Top. After getting the top, one can fall in love with charming atmosphere there. At the top, one get a clear view of the Makra Peak with Siri Paye meadow.

Sharan Waterfall is a short 40 minutes trek through the Sharan Forest. It gives scenic view of falling water in the calmness of forest and an ideal place for enjoy the untouched beauty of Siran Valley.

About Kaghan

Kaghan Valley, a scenic wonderland, is at height of beauty among many beautiful valleys in Hazara in the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. It is one hundred and sixty kilometers long valley in the Lower Himalayan mountain range, having an elevation of 2,134 feet to 13,690 feet at Babusar Pass.

The road to Kaghan is a little bit dangerous due to the deep slopes to the river on one side and the lofty mountains on the other side. The valley is fully covered by pine and fir trees densely overgrown with a variety of other plants, except at the Babusar Top area. The Babusar Top is highest point in the Kaghan Valley, and it is a gateway to access Gilgit-Baltistan. One can also get a view of the Nanga Parbat and mountain ranges in the Kashmir region.

The road from Balakot ascends along the Kunhar River that is flowing in deep ridges and through lovely forests. The spectacular views and sceneries are near Shogran, surrounded by peaks and pine forest, covering with a layer of silver shined clouds on the top. From Shogran, you can visit the famous peaks of Siri and Payee, with breathtaking views at their top.

Naran is one of the most attractive hill stations in Kaghan valley, with its pleasant and cool atmosphere. Saif-ul-Maluk lake can be accessed from Naran by a jeep within 30-45 minutes. One can also enjoy two hours trek from Naran to Saif-ul-Maluk lake. There is a number of glaciers in the passage of Kaghan to Narran and from Narran to Saif-ul-Maluk, and those are real enjoyment in exploring Naran. From Saif-ul-Maluk lake, a splendid view of Malka Parbat, the highest mountain in this valley, can be seen in clear weather.

Babusar Pass, a jeep track leads to Chilas on Karakoram Highway. Lulusar lake, on the side of road, gives charming view of the Khunhar River. Traveling from Lulusar Lake to Babusar pass is just like flowing on the top of mountains with a broader view of mountain ranges.

The river Kunhar, originating from Lulusar lake, runs through the valley and merges with the Jhelum River just outside Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir. The shining green water of the Kunhar River with the flowing ranges of mountains, is the real beauty of this valley.

The Kaghan valley has number of lushgreen meadows on the top of mountain ranges, where one observe grazing herd of sheep, goats, etc. The Kundi Meadows, located behind Rajwal villageone, is a lushgreen plain on the mountain top. It can be accessed after 5-6 hours trekking.

Fishing is one of the best sports activities in Kaghan. In the upper parts of the valley, Brown Trout and Mahasher are stocked in pure silvery waters of the Kunhar River. The Kunhar river trout is considered to be the best throughout South Asia.