Nathia Gali Weather in October and November: Temperatures, Frost, Early Snow and What to Pack

In October, Nathia Gali usually has clear, dry days of about 15 to 18°C and cold nights of around 7 to 9°C. November is a step colder, with days around 11 to 14°C, nights of 2 to 4°C, the first frosts on clear mornings and, in some years, an early dusting of snow. Both months are among the driest and clearest of the year, which makes them some of the best walking weeks in the Galiyat.

This guide goes deeper on these two months than our full-year guide can: what the weather is doing week by week, how cold it really gets after dark, what to pack, what is open and which walks are at their best.

Where these numbers come from

There is no long-running public weather station in Nathia Gali itself, so the figures here are built from the nearest long-term record, Murree, about 120 metres lower and 34 km down the ridge, adjusted by roughly a degree for the extra height. Murree's long-term averages are about 18.6°C by day and 9.2°C at night in October, and 14.5°C and 4.2°C in November. Treat the ranges below as typical, not guaranteed: a cold spell can knock several degrees off any of them.

What is the weather like in Nathia Gali in October?

Early October is still mild autumn. Days are often in the high teens, the sky is usually clear once the monsoon has finished, and evenings are cool enough for a fleece by the time the sun drops behind the ridge. Rain is far less frequent than in September: Murree's long-term average for October is about 70 mm, less than half of September's 160 mm, and much of it falls in a few short spells.

By late October the nights are sharply colder, regularly dropping to 5°C or below, and the first ground frost is possible on still, clear mornings. Murree's lowest October temperature on record is just above freezing, and Nathia Gali, being higher, can touch zero in the last week of the month. Daytime sun still feels warm, especially out of the wind, so the typical late-October day starts in a jacket, sheds it by 11 am and puts it back on at 4.

What is the weather like in Nathia Gali in November?

November is the driest month of the autumn, with Murree's average rainfall down to about 33 mm, and often the clearest. On a good day the views north from Mukshpuri and Miranjani are the sharpest of the year. It is also properly cold. Days are typically 11 to 14°C, nights 2 to 4°C, and by the second half of the month frost is normal on clear nights and puddles can freeze in shaded spots. Murree's record November low is about -3°C, so assume Nathia Gali can drop a little below that.

The ridge also gets windier as winter approaches. A 12°C afternoon with a north wind on an exposed viewpoint feels far colder than the number suggests, so carry a hat and gloves for any walk above the village.

Does it snow in Nathia Gali in October or November?

Occasionally in November, very rarely in October. The first proper snow of the winter usually arrives in December; Pakistani press reports have described mid to late December as the normal start, with some winters waiting until January. But early spells do happen. In one recent year the national news agency reported the season's first snow, more than four inches, at Nathia Gali, Ayubia and Thandiani in the first week of November.

If you are travelling in November hoping for snow, treat it as a bonus rather than a plan. If you are travelling in November and do not want snow, keep an eye on the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast in the days before you leave, because an early fall can briefly close or slow the road, particularly on the Murree side over Changla Gali.

Is it cold in Nathia Gali in October and November?

In the daytime, pleasantly cool. At night, yes, properly cold, and colder indoors than many visitors expect, because most older buildings in the Galiyat are built for summer. Expect to want a warm layer inside after dark from mid October onwards. The contrast with the plains is large: Islamabad's average November high is about 25°C and its average low about 9°C, so Nathia Gali is typically 11 to 13°C colder at every hour of the day.

What should I pack for Nathia Gali in October and November?

For October: a warm fleece or light down jacket, a waterproof shell for the odd shower, long trousers, a long-sleeved base layer, walking shoes with good grip, sunglasses and sunscreen. Add a warm hat for evenings.

For November: everything above, plus a proper insulated jacket, thermal base layers for nights, gloves, a beanie and warm socks. If you plan to be on Miranjani or Mukshpuri early in the day, pack for near-freezing temperatures at the top even if the forecast for the village looks mild.

How long are the days?

Shorter than people plan for. In mid October the sun sets at around 5.30 pm; by late November it is closer to 5 pm, and on the eastern side of the ridge the light goes earlier still. That matters for two things: walks, which should be timed to finish by about 4 pm, and the drive up, which is best completed in daylight. If you are leaving Islamabad after work on a Friday in November, you will be on the mountain road in the dark, and it is worth considering the shorter Abbottabad approach or leaving on Saturday morning instead.

Is Nathia Gali crowded in October and November?

Far less than in summer. Weekdays in both months are quiet, often very quiet, and even weekends are a fraction of the June to August crush. The busiest days tend to be long weekends and public holidays, when Islamabad and Rawalpindi families drive up for a night. In 2026, Iqbal Day on 9 November falls on a Monday, which is likely to make that weekend busier than the rest of the month if the holiday is observed as usual. The bigger crowds do not return until the first snow, when the first snowy weekend of the winter can be as busy as August.

What is open in Nathia Gali in autumn?

Nathia Gali is a year-round village, so the bazaar, general stores, pharmacies and the main hotels and restaurants stay open through October and November. What thins out is the seasonal layer on top: some roadside stalls, horse rides and pop-up food stands keep shorter hours or pack up on weekdays as the cold sets in. The Pipeline Track, Mukshpuri, Miranjani, Lalazar and St. Matthew's Church are all accessible. One thing to be aware of: the Ayubia chairlift closed in 2021 and we could not confirm that it has reopened at the time of writing.

Are there autumn colours in Nathia Gali?

Some, though the Galiyat is not a blaze of red and gold. Most of the forest is evergreen: blue pine, deodar and fir. What changes colour are the broadleaf trees mixed in with them, chiefly walnut, oak, maple and wild cherry, along with the grasses on the open meadows. The result is pockets of yellow, rust and copper against dark green, best on the slopes around Dunga Gali and Ayubia and on the meadows below Mukshpuri. Late October to mid November is usually the window, though the timing shifts from year to year with the first cold snaps.

What are the best walks in October and November?

Mukshpuri. The single best autumn walk in the area. The air is at its clearest, the summit meadows have turned gold, and on a good morning the views run far north. Start by 9 am from Dunga Gali, allow two to three hours up, and be down well before dark.

Miranjani. Best done in October rather than late November, when the upper trail can be icy in the shade. It is the highest peak in the Galiyat at about 2,992 m and the clear autumn air is the main reason to go now. Start at dawn, go in a group and turn back if cloud comes in.

The Pipeline Track. The easy option, a flat walk of about 4.5 km between Dunga Gali and Ayubia. It is shaded, so in November it can stay cold and damp all day; go in the middle of the day and wear grippy shoes.

Lalazar and St. Matthew's Church. Short walks from the village, ideal for the late afternoon light, which in autumn is the best of the year for photographs.

Is October or November better for a visit?

October suits most people: mild days, cold but manageable nights, every trail open and very few crowds midweek. November suits walkers who want the clearest views and the quietest village, and who do not mind real cold after dark. If you want the best of both, aim for the last week of October or the first week of November.

A warm base for autumn