04Sep

Sharan Forest

Overview of the Sharan Forest to Manshi Top Trek

Sharan Forest in Kaghan Valley immerses trekkers in seclusion, tranquility, and dense pine woods with cool mountain air. The trek begins at the Sharan Camping Pods, which serve as a resting point. Ascending to Manshi Top, a meadow above 3,000 meters, is a challenging two- to three-hour hike through winding forest trails.

The trek to Manshi Top uses switchbacks above the pine forest, gradually opening expansive landscape views. The ascent involves consistent elevation gain and can be strenuous, especially for beginners. As you ascend, the dense forest gives way to open meadows, offering panoramic views of the Kaghan Valley. From Manshi Top, you see the Kunhar River winding below and distant mountain peaks on the horizon.

Manshi Top offers relaxation, scenic views, and opportunities for nature photography. Its broad vistas attract hikers and photographers alike. The best time to visit is between May and October, when the trails are open, and the weather is favorable. In winter, heavy snowfall—often reaching 6 feet—makes the trek nearly impassable, creating a more challenging yet picturesque landscape. This route blends Sharan Forest’s tranquility with a rewarding climb to Manshi Top, ideal for those seeking nature and mountain vistas.

Travel Route & Transport

Traveling from Islamabad to Sharan takes about 6.5 hours in total. You spend nearly 5 hours driving by car or bus to Paras, followed by a 1.5-hour off-road jeep ride from Paras to Sharan. The journey follows the Hazara Motorway, passing through Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot, and finally, Paras.

The path is very straightforward, with excellent and recently constructed roads, making it almost a direct route. You can also drive your own vehicle to Paras, where you can park (with parking fees ranging from 500-1000rs per day) and then take a jeep from there to Sharan. The jeep fares are approximately 1,000-1,500 PKR per person.

The jeep ride is quite rough, with steep, sharp turns, and you cross the Kunhar River bridge from Paras to the mountain of Sharan at the beginning. Essentially, Sharan and Shogran are two neighboring mountains. Upon reaching Sharan, there are camping pods situated at various distances, so you’re all set for your stay.

Where to Stay

We chose to stay at the Pakistan Youth Hostel in Sharan. This is a tourist facility created by the government, with both camping options and pods available. The camps can be booked for Rs. 2500 per night, while the pods cost Rs. 5000. The camps are equipped with a few sleeping bags, cushions/pillows, and a mattress. They may not be the cleanest, but they’re manageable.

The hostel features a communal dining hall, kitchen, and multiple washroom facilities, making it a semi-public area. Again, it’s not the tidiest, but it’s bearable. We opted for a camp during our stay, and it was quite enjoyable. The wooden pods come with a bed and some mattresses but lack washrooms. You can also bring your own tents and set up camp around the youth hostel.

Just beyond the Youth Hostel, there are additional pods and glamping options that you might want to explore for your accommodation. The Youth Hostel serves as a decent resting point for an adventurous trip.

Food Availability

Our trip spanned 2 days. For breakfast on the first day, we dined in Balakot. At Sharan, we had paratha and sham ki chai at the Youth Hostel, followed by dinner featuring Karhai Roti. Breakfast at Sharan included Omelette Paratha, Chanon ka Salan, and Chai. These meals were part of our trip costs, so I’m unsure of their individual prices, but they should be reasonable. The food was delicious, made fresh, and flavorful, Alhamdulillah.

Places to Explore:

Sharan is a forest with a river running through it.
– You can explore its many hiking trails, trek down to the river, and follow the stream,
– visit Sharan waterfall, which requires about a half-hour hike from the youth hostel,
– and trek to Manshi Top, which takes roughly 2.5 hours from the Youth Hostel. (We couldn’t go there due to an itinerary conflict).

Alternatively, you can simply unwind in the hostel area, enjoy the shade of the trees, play with the hostel dog, or take a short stroll. In the evenings, you have the option of having a bonfire or stargazing. And oh, the stars look amazing! The lack of light pollution reveals a breathtaking view of the night sky. Coupling that with the soothing sounds of the nearby flowing river creates a heavenly atmosphere. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Two days is an ideal duration to savor this place.

Temperature & Climate

We greatly underestimated this factor and ended up feeling quite cold in our summer attire, haha. I checked Google (it indicated 15 degrees at night), verified with our tour manager, and concluded that a light sweater or shawl would suffice for the temperature in Sharan. It turned out to be quite different.

People were genuinely dressed in heavy jackets, even layering up two or three times, and the temperature was likely well below 10 degrees at night. We managed to get through this in lawn and cotton clothing, camping under the open sky—that was another adventure wrapped up, but the lessons to remember are: Prepare thoroughly.

Even though Sharan isn’t at a high altitude, it is a dense forest with little sunlight penetrating, and a river running through it creates a rather chilly atmosphere. The temperature is much more comfortable and enjoyable once the sun appears, but it doesn’t start warming up until around 11:00 am.

The locals informed us that the area is accessible only for a few months during the summer and is entirely closed off in winter due to heavy snowfall. So yes, pack your jackets and shawls, and don’t solely depend on Google. Be sure to check the weather before you visit this breathtaking tourist spot.

Total Cost:

The trip cost was 22,000 for a couple, not including the jeep fees. When adding jeep charges, the total came to 25,000 for two people. This covered transportation, accommodation, meals, and toll fees. Alternatively, you can also make the journey using your vehicle or take a Daewoo bus.

Your car (if it’s not a 4-wheeler) can only take you to Paras. You’ll need to figure out the Daewoo bus route on your own; to my knowledge, it takes you to Abbottabad. From Abbottabad, you can use local buses to reach Paras.

You also have the option to hire a rental car or a driver, depending on what’s more convenient for you.

Conclusion:

A lovely short weekend getaway. It’s a gorgeous spot, and I genuinely hope it remains this way without being spoiled by the local tourism in the future. Please, please, please, make an effort not to disturb the area and its natural beauty. If you can afford this trip, you can certainly manage a few shoppers and bags to dispose of your trash properly. Be considerate. And enjoy your travels!