Harnoi, Abbottabad
Harnoi is the best tourist attraction in Abbottabad. Harnoi or Harno is a small town situated 11 km east of Abbottabad on the Nathia Gali main road near Dhamtour.
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Beautiful View of Harnoi valley Abbottabad |
Harnoi is surrounded by beautiful mountains of Siwalik range (sub-Himalayan) and maintains a very pleasant weather throughout the year. Harnoi is a center of tourist activities. The town is situated at the confluence of two small rivers, the Harnoi or Thhandiani (Harud Nala) and the Barengali.
It is said to be the gateway to the amazing Galiyat area and an ideal tourist spot due to its easy access and route location. It is also very famous among local tourists and residents of Abbottabad. Tourists have loved this place because of its scenic landscape and the freezing waterfalls and nearby streams.
The Harnoi River offers an ideal location for a quality retreat. On the way to Nathia Gali, a small off-road trail leads down to the river where families gather at the edge to enjoy a hearty meal and relax in the cool water. Harno picnic spot is abuzz with activities as children enjoy fun activities in the amusement park and other recreational facilities. I rode a motorbike from Abbottabad which made my journey more beautiful.
The view along the Nathia Gali road is also a very memorable experience. I followed the Nathia Gali or murre road by leaving the main Karakoram Highway N35 near CMH Abbottabad. After 3 to 4 km from Murre Chowk on Karakoram Highway, you will see a signpost on your left indicating the Thandiani Road turn left. This is Thhandiani Chowk Abbottabad, here you can see the upstream Dor river called Darkhan Katha. Dhamtour is the first big town within 5 km. Dhamtour is a beautiful town spread over both sides of the Nathia Gali road. I stopped for a while just past Dhamtour when I saw a cabin on my right-hand side ziplining over the Harno River.
I captured the view on my DSLR and went to the Zipline management office to enjoy the cable car ride over the Harno River. I got a special discount and paid only PKR 500 for this 500 meters long journey. It is worth mentioning that this deal included a stop in the middle of the journey right above the Harno River for a photo shoot, as well as a stay at the other end for a photo shoot. So I enjoyed it a lot and also took many photos including the charismatic ones.
By the time I reached Harnoi, it was 3:00 PM so the shadows of things were long and the sun was going east which was the best time for photography. I stopped 200 meters before Harnoi to visit the western suspension bridge for photograph of Harnoi valley. Just a short drive from Harnoi, Samundar Katha Lake offers another breathtaking spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers in Abbottabad.
Below is brief separate information about Harnoi for tourists and visitors who are planning to visit Harnoi Abbottabad. Your comments are fine at the bottom of this page, if you find this information helpful or if you want to add more information to this page, please let me know.
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Thai Chair Lift or Zipline Cabin near Dhamtour Abbottabad on Nathia Gali road |
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Thai Chair Lift or Zipline Cabin near Dhamtour Abbottabad on Nathia Gali road |
Top Attractions for tourists in Harnoi
- Harnoi is located with easy access at the gateway of Galiyat (tourists hub)
- Harnoi maintains Cold weather around the year
- Located in a narrow valley at the confluence of two rivers Harno and Barengali
- The main attraction is, without exaggeration, the river Harno or Dor
- Man-made Harnoi Lake near Isfania Continental Hotel
- Play and Fun Parks for Kids like Hazara Amusement City
- Other nearest places for tourists like Harnoi & Karlan Waterfalls
- Scenic and charismatic views
- Snowfall during winter
- Ziplining (also called Flying Fox or Fun line)
- Thai chair lift near Dhamtour
- Beautiful suspension bridges for photography
- Hospitable and warm people
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West Suspension Bridge on Harno River Harnoi Abbottabad |
Best Tourist Amenities in Harnoi Abbottabad
- Beautiful asphalt road
- Hotel accommodation
- The accommodation is clean and tidy
- Recreation and fun activities
- Ensured Public Safety
- Hospital
- Masjid
- Halal Food
- Attractive seating by the road
- Traditional sitting by the river
- 24/7 Mobile and internet service
- Natural gas for cooking, heating
- Best management of cleanliness by local government
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Harnoi Valley View from beautiful roadside seating at the entrance of Harnoi Abbottabad |
Top Tourist Activities in Harnoi Abbottabad:
- Enjoying local and continental food
- BB Que
- Recreational activities
- Boating in the Harnoi Lake
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Harnoi zipline
- Swimming
- Camping
- Tracking
- Photography
- Sky circling
- Carousels
- View of the river
- View of waterfall and shower
- View of the suspension bridges
- View of the Harnoi River from the Thai chairlift
- Self-based Rafting in the Harnoi river
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West Suspension Bridge Harnoi is a beautiful place for photography of the valley |
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Nathi Gali Indicator near Harnoi Abbottabad |
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Amazing Harno River View |
Top Hotels and restaurants in Harnoi Abbottabad
List of 11 best hotels in Harnoi
- Galyat Gateway Hotel and Restaurant
- Hotel with a red roof
- Hotel Isfania Continental
- Harnoi Shinwai Hotel
- Apartments Pine Paradise
- Nadi Kanara Restaurant
- Nain Sukh Hotel and Restaurant
- Hotel Desi Ghee Paratha
- Pension Zoaish
- Pension Kashi
- Hotel Drivers
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Red Roof Hotel Nathia Gali road Harnoi Abbottabad |
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Isfania Continental Hotel Harnoi Abbottabad |
Food and drink for tourists in Harnoi Abbottabad
- Biryani
- Pulao cable
- Bannu Pulao
- Beef Pulao
- Chicken Tikka
- Chapli Kabab
- Look for Kabab
- Chicken Karahi
- Mutton Karahi
- Shinwari
- BB Que
- Grilled chicken, meat, and fish
- Tawa fish
- Breakfast
- Local organic food, fruit, and herbs
- Chai milk tea
- Qihwa Green Tea
- Herbal tea
- Lassi
- A cold drink
- Aalo Bukhara emli and Badam ka sharbat
- Lemon soda
- Dodh Soda
- Pure mineral water
- Fruit
- boiled and grilled corn on the cob
Annual Weather Average Harnoi Abbottabad
Annual Weather averages are tabulated below as per the climate data collected from 2005 to 2015.
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Annual Weather Averages of Hanoi Abbottabad |
Harnoi Abbottabad Top images/pictures
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Thandiani Chowk, Nathia Gali Road Abbottabad |
Conclusion
Harnoi stands as a microcosm of Abbottabad’s breathtaking beauty—a place where glacial rivers carve through Himalayan foothills, suspension bridges frame perfect photographs, and ziplines offer adrenaline-paired panoramas. This gateway to Galiyat captivates visitors with its year-round cool climate, accessible adventures (from Thai Chair Lift rides to riverside BBQs), and warm hospitality at hotels like Isfania Continental.
Whether you are chasing waterfalls like Karlan, boating on Harnoi Lake, or simply soaking in the valley’s emerald vistas from a roadside seating area, Harnoi proves that Pakistan’s most memorable escapes often lie just beyond bustling cities. With its seamless blend of natural splendor and tourist-friendly amenities, this Himalayan haven invites travelers to experience the untamed spirit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—one where every turn reveals another postcard-worthy moment waiting to be lived.