God Rock is an overhanging limestone crag dramatically concealed behind the Said Pur valley, with powerful, pumpy climbing and dark shade all day long. It’s one of the few places on Margalla that can be climbed in summer because of the crag´s location in the dense forest and also rain shelter.
While the climbing is excellent, there is special care that climbers must take: the lower part of all three lines traverses loose rock before arriving on cleaner stone. Beyond this band, the routes are fine and beautiful.
Best Season/Time:
Year-round, especially summer. Sheltered and rain-protected.
Appraoch:
Park in Said Pur Village. Follow the village, streamside, and the wide main path. Cross the stream again and take the right path.
At the base of the left hillside (just past Belvedere), follow a scree channel up right for ~10m, then find vague trails leading directly to the crag on the left side.
Hike time: ~15 minutes.
Environment & Ethics:
Avoid the removal of natural vegetation unless on the route. Avoid fireworks since Margallas are prone to wildfires. Said Pur village used to be a clean valley. Nowadays, due to the increasing influx of picnic parties, the village is becoming crowded and polluted. Respect the local village culture and take your trash back to the city.
Climbing Style:
It is sport climbing, there are powerful, overhanging single-pitch climbs with endurance cruxes.
Quick Facts
- Number of routes: 3
- Grades range: 6b+ to 7b
- Route type: Sport climbing
- Average route height: 20–25 meters
- Recommended rope: 60m
- Quickdraws needed: 10–12
- Rock type: Limestone
- Sun exposure: Fully shaded – excellent for hot seasons
- Bolting status: Well bolted, but inspect lower sections for looseness
- Developed by: John Arran (JA), Jens-Jacob Simonsen (JJ), 2010
- Route setters: JA, JJ
How to Get There
- From Islamabad: Drive to Said Pur Village via Pir Sohawa Road
- Transport: Private car or cab recommended
- Parking: Available near restaurants in Said Pur Village
- Trail: Walk straight through the village, follow stream crossings and the wide main path up the valley. Look for Belvedere on the hill in front of you, and God Rock is further up on the left side of the hiking trail leading to trail 3. Finding God Rock is a bit tricky due to vague trails in the bushes.
Safety & Local Considerations
- Mobile signal: Patchy but present
- Water: No source at the crag—bring at least 2L per climber
- Wildlife: Boars and monkeys; store snacks properly
- Rockfall: Extreme caution advised in the first few meters of all routes
- Emergency:Medical: Rescue 1122
Route Directory
1. Blame Me [6c, 25m]
- Protection: 10 bolts + anchor
- Quickdraws: 11–12
- Crux: Sustained movement after the loose rock band; crimpy and pumpy
- First ascent: JA, 2010
- Style: Steep face climbing
- Note: Shares start with “Guilty as Charged”
2. Guilty as Charged [7b, 25m]
- Protection: 11 bolts
- Quickdraws: 12
- Crux: Starts on “Blame Me,” then veers into steeper terrain with powerful sequences
- First ascent: JJ, 2010
- Style: Overhanging endurance climbing
- Note: Slightly loose start; bring stiff shoes for edging
3. Blame God [6b+, 20m]
- Protection: 9 bolts
- Quickdraws: 10
- Crux: Powerful climbing on good stone after escaping the lower loose band
- First ascent: JA, 2010
- Style: Overhanging wall with pumpy holds
- Bonus: The clean arête to the left is an unbolted project, estimated to be at least 8b—potential for future development!
Topo / Crag Map
Community & Future Development
Left of “Blame God” remains unbolted and unclimbed. God Rock does have room for more routes. Many independent international and local climbers based in Islamabad meet on weekends on the various crags, depending on weather and sunny conditions. Some adventure clubs like e-adventure.PK, Eco Adventure Club (EAC), and Gilgit-Baltistan Mountaineering Council organise climbing activities on a regular basis. They can be reached through social media.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Benedicte Terryn (BT), Gernot Frank (GF), Imran Junaidi (IJ), John Arran (JA), Jens-Jacob Simonsen (JJ), Jens Sommerfeld (JS), Karim Hayat (KH), Marianne Pecnick (MP), and Stefan Dunkel (SD) for their dedication to bolting and sharing their knowledge of this hidden climbing paradise in the Margalla Hills, Islamabad.
Author & Contact
Compiled by: M Ajmal K. Masood (Personal experience of climbing in Margallas)
Email: ajmalkhayaloo121@gmail.com
Send in corrections, photos, or bolt status updates to help keep this guide current!