Sheikh Badin and the Southern Hills: A Complete Guide

Sheikh Badin is a hidden hill station in the far south of the province. This dry mountain rises above the plains of Dera Ismail Khan. A cool breeze and wandering clouds crown its lofty top. Old colonial ruins and a national park mark the hills. A wider southern country holds ancient sites and ranges. This guide covers Sheikh Badin and the southern hills for the curious traveller. It explains the setting the hills the wildlife the colonial past the wider country and how to visit.

This guide offers a general overview. Details and figures vary between sources.

Quick answer: Sheikh Badin is a hill station and mountain in the far south of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It rests at the junction of the Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts at around 1,370 metres. Set among the Sheikh Badin Hills a spur of the Sulaiman Mountains, it offers a cool escape from the hot plains. A national park protects its dry forests and wildlife. Colonial ruins recall its days as a British summer station. Summer is the season to visit.

A hill station in the south

Sheikh Badin rises high above the southern plains. It is located at the edge of the Dera Ismail Khan area. Around 1,370 metres lift the mountain above the sea. Dry hills and plains spread far below.

A lofty summit crowns the mountain. It rises well above the hot lowlands. Cool air and clouds drift across the top. So the height brings relief from the heat.

A rare retreat marks the southern country. Few hill stations rise in this dry area. Sheikh Badin offers a cool summer escape. So the mountain draws visitors from the plains.

A quiet beauty fills the heights. Wandering clouds wrap the scattered huts. Grand views open across the plains below. So the summit rewards the long climb.

Sheikh Badin Hills

Sheikh Badin rests among a range of dry hills. These hills form a spur of the Sulaiman Mountains. Clay and limestone shape their rugged slopes. A national park guards the highest ground.

A rugged range spreads across the country. These hills run east from the Sulaiman range. They divide the plains on either side. Rocky ridges and dry valleys mark the country.

A national park guards the hills. This reserve was set aside to protect the wild country. Dry forests and rare beasts shelter here. So the state keeps the hills safe and green.

An arid beauty marks the park. Thorn scrub and hardy trees cloak the slopes. Rocky outcrops crown the dry ridges. So the country differs from the green north.

Wildlife of the dry hills in Sheikh Badin

Sheikh Badin shelters the wildlife of the dry hills. Hardy beasts roam the rocky slopes. Birds fill the scrub and the skies. Nature lovers find a rare world here.

Rare mammals haunt the dry country. A pangolin shelters in its burrows. Porcupines and hares forage at night. Jackals and wild boar roam the hills.

Reptiles thrive in the rocky terrain and monitor lizards bask on the warm stones. Geckos dart across the dry ground. Snakes shelter among the rocks.

Many birds fill the scrub and sky. Partridges call across the slopes. Doves and bulbuls flit through the trees. Kestrels and raptors wheel above.

Colonial past of Sheikh Badin

Sheikh Badin carries a colonial past. British officers built a summer station here. Old ruins still crown the mountain top. History clings to the quiet heights.

A summer station rose here long ago. British officers fled the heat of the plains. They built offices and homes on the top. So a small hill station grew here.

Old ruins recall the colonial age. A cemetery and offices survive in part. A tennis court marks the old station. These works speak of a bygone age.

An old shrine crowns the highest hill. It honours a revered Sufi of the past. A saint gave his name to the mountain. Pilgrims still climb to the quiet spot.

Wider southern hills of Sheikh Badin

Sheikh Badin is located among the wider southern hills. Ranges and ancient sites fill this country. A great range rises to the west. History and scenery reward the traveller here.

A great range crowns the west the Sulaiman Mountains. Takht e Suleiman rises highest of all, its lofty slopes cloaked in coniferous forest. So the range towers over the southern country.

Ancient sites dot the southern plains. Kafir Kot guards old temples near the Indus. A great fort crowns the rocky spur. So the area holds a deep past.

A prehistoric town rests near the city. Rehman Dheri dates back thousands of years. It ranks among the oldest towns of the area. So the southern country brims with history.

Visiting Sheikh Badin

Come in summer for the cool heights. Warm months bring a pleasant escape here. Winter turns cold on the lofty top. So summer suits the visit best.

Reach the hill by road from Pezu. A rough track climbs from the Indus Highway. This road can be poor after the rains. So a sturdy vehicle suits the trip.

Base yourself in Dera Ismail Khan below. This city offers rooms and supplies. A day trip reaches the hills and back. Bring water and food for the climb.

Plan the trip with care. Rough roads and dry heat mark the way. Sturdy shoes help on the rocky ground. Bring time to enjoy the views and ruins.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sheikh Badin? Sheikh Badin is a hill station and mountain in the far south of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the junction of the Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts. It rises to around 1,370 metres among the Sheikh Badin Hills an eastern spur of the Sulaiman Mountains. This peak rises some 25 kilometres east of the town of Pezu on the Indus Highway. Standing well above the hot southern plains, it enjoys a cooler, breezier climate. This once made it a summer retreat. A rough road reaches it, climbing from the plains, best travelled by a sturdy vehicle.

What is Sheikh Badin National Park? Sheikh Badin National Park is a protected area established in 2003, covering around 15,540 hectares among the Sheikh Badin Hills in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was set aside to conserve the dry forests, unique geology and native wildlife of this arid country, so different from the green mountains of the north. A range of hardy species live in the park from the Indian pangolin and porcupine to jackals, wild boar and many birds and reptiles. All are suited to the hot, rocky terrain. Its rugged ridges, dry valleys and scrub forests make it a rare and distinctive reserve.

Why is Sheikh Badin famous? Sheikh Badin is famous as a rare hill station in the dry south of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering a cool escape from the heat of the surrounding plains. It is known for its colonial past, when British officers used it as a summer station. They left behind ruins such as offices a cemetery and a tennis court that still crown the mountain. A spiritual heritage also marks the mountain with an old shrine honouring a revered Sufi at its highest point. It takes its name from a saint who once lived there. Today it is prized for its history, its wildlife and its sweeping views.

What else is there to see in the southern hills? A rich country the southern hills of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hold much for the traveller beyond Sheikh Badin. To the west rise the Sulaiman Mountains, crowned by the lofty Takht e Suleiman and cloaked in coniferous forest. Nearer the Indus stand the Kafir Kot hills, home to an ancient temple complex and a great fort. Near the city of Dera Ismail Khan rests Rehman Dheri a prehistoric town among the oldest in the area, dating back thousands of years. Together these sites make the southern hills a rich blend of natural beauty and deep history.

How do you get to Sheikh Badin? Sheikh Badin is reached from the town of Pezu, on the Indus Highway around 25 kilometres to the west from where a rough track climbs up into the hills. This road is unpaved and can be badly degraded after the monsoon rains, so a sturdy four wheel drive vehicle is advised. A final stretch may need to be walked on foot. Most visitors base themselves in Dera Ismail Khan the main city of the southern area. From there they make a day trip up to the hills. Because facilities on the mountain are limited, it is wise to carry water, food and supplies.

Cool crown of the south

Sheikh Badin is the cool crown of the southern hills. This dry mountain rises above the plains of Dera Ismail Khan. A cool breeze and wandering clouds crown its top. Old colonial ruins and a national park mark the hills. A wider country holds ancient sites and ranges. Few places blend such history, wildlife and calm.

You may come to Sheikh Badin for the cool air the ruins or the wildlife. This hill station rewards the visit either way. You can climb to the old colonial ruins on top. You can watch for wildlife in the dry national park. You can gaze across the plains from the lofty summit. Come to Sheikh Badin and discover the cool crown of the south. This is the hidden hill station of the plains.