Girjan Valley Trek Your Trip to the Land of Thunder

Want to know a brief History of the Girjan Valley?

The Girjan valley is located in Poonch and Sophian districts in Kashmir. The valley gets its name Girjan from the famous king Girjin Dev. The word Girjan translates to “the thunder of elf”. Justifying this story, it is believed that no day in the valley goes without hearing the loud thundering and lightning in the area.

What is the Girjan Valley Trek Famous for?

There are many fascinating facts about the Girjan Valley Trek. the main attractions include ‘Pir Ki Gali’ a local name given to the ‘Pir Panjal Pass’ and the seven lakes which make this trek one of the most popular treks in Kashmir like the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek and the Bodhpathri Lakes Trek.

Should we explore the Pir Ki Gali in Pir Panjal Range?

• The Pir Panjal Mountain Range is a mesmerizing mountainous belt located in the northern corner of the paradise on earth-Jammu and Kashmir. The Pir Panjal Pass or ‘Pir Ki Gali’ is a famous mountain pass stationed in the Pir Panjal Range and is a trekker’s delight. 
• This pass forms a connection between the Kashmir Valley through the Mughal Road to other Poonch districts. It sits at a height of 11,450 ft and falls towards the southwestern region of the Kashmir Valley.
• The Pir Panjal Range, plays an important role as it is a natural barrier, influencing the courses of the Beas, Ravi, and Chenab rivers.
• The Pir Panjal Pass held major significance in the ancient times, it acted as a major connectivity route and was considered one of the main passes of Kashmir. It also was the main route connecting Hirapur with the Rajouri region. 
• Pir Ki Gali connected Rajouri districts to the Kashmir Valley via an ancient road which was earlier known as ‘Namak route’ as salt used to be carried on this road, later when a mughal king traversed this pathway, it came to be known as the Mughal Road. 
• Another remarkable and must-visit spot on the Girjan Valley Trek is the shrine of Sheikh Ahmed Karim situated at the top of the pass adding auspicious relevance to it. Pir Ki Gali Trek or Girjan Valley Trek offers views as stunning as the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. 
• Girjan Valley Trek  is an attractive spot in the heart of the Pir Panjal Ranges. The whole stretch ranging from Pir Marg (Meadow) till Pir Ki Gali is known as the crown of the 240 Km long, vast expanse of Pir Panjal Range.
• Another salient feature of the Girjan Valley Trek is the breathtaking excursion of the seven lakes namely : Neel Sar, Bag Sar, Kaldashni Sar Katoria Sar, Nandan sar, Sukh Sar, and Gum Sar.
• Apart from sightseeing there are many other things to do on this trek. Out of all the seven lakes, Pir Ki Gali Nandan Sar Lake Jammu and Kashmir , is the largest and the most magnificent, its vast blue and green color leave the trekkers awe-struck.
• The Girjan Valley Trek, is a moderate level trek, but due to the immense height it is on, people face difficulty in breathing as the oxygen levels decrease, gradually. 
• This trek, like other Kashmir treks will give you a taste of the alpine life, coniferious forests, green vistas, lush meadows, gurgling mountain rivers, humble village life and unmatch beauty of the natural landscapes.