Naltar Valley
The Naltar Valley () is a valley situated about from the city of Gilgit in Gilgit−Baltistan, Pakistan. It is a forested region known for its dramatic mountain scenery and for the three lakes-Strangi Lake, Blue Lake and Bodlok Lake. Ski competitions are held at Naltar ski resort. Geography. The Naltar Valley is a valley situated near the city of Gilgit in Gilgit−Baltistan, Pakistan. Naltar is about from Gilgit. Naltar Bala (upper) and Naltar Paain (lower) are two villages of Naltar valley. Naltar Paain is at a distance of and Naltar Bala at from Gilgit. Naltar Expressway connects Naltar  with Gilgit City via Nomal and Faizabad. There is a town known as Nomal between Naltar valley and Gilgit. A road from Nomal goes to 'The Silk Route' to China. Naltar Hydropower Projects (I, II, IV). The government has constructed an 18 MW hydropower plant, Naltar Hydropower Plant-IV which is operational since October 2007, near Naltar Pine, in addition to three smaller hydel power generating plants (Naltar I, II, IV of 3.02 MW combined) already there, to fulfill the power requirement of the area as well as Gilgit. As of 2019 Naltar-III and Naltar-V Hydropower Projects of  16 MW and 14 MW generation capacity respectively were under construction. Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the valley that was established on 22 November 1975. The sanctuary is forested, there being a greatly comfortable growth of mixed montane, broadleaf and coniferous forests at lower altitudes and montane coniferous forest higher up. Coniferous species that are present include Picea and Juniperus. The trees present include Fraxinus, Olea, Pistacia, Sageretia, Betula, Salix, Populus and Krascheninnikovia ceratoides. Some herbs that grow here and there include Artemisia, Haloxylon and Stipa. A few number of Astor markhor and  an endangered specie of wild goat lives in the reserve. Other large mammals present include the Alpine ibex, snow leopard, brown bear, grey wolf, red fox, beech marten and leopard cat. Almost 35 species of birds have been recorded in the valley, including Brooks's leaf warbler. Naltar Lakes. There are five Naltar Lakes lakes in the Naltar valley known as Satrangi Lake, Halima Lake, Bodo Lake, Dhudia Lake, Pari Lake, and Blue Lake at a distance of 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Naltar Bala. The road from the village to the lakes is nonmetallic and narrow alongside a stream  throughout this road coming from the mountains. It is almost impossible to reach the lake through any vehicle in winter due to the snow (10 to 15 feet high) on the road. Tourism facilities. The valley offers a variety of flora, fauna as well as natural scenery. There is a natural green garden known as "Halima garden". The government has established some rest houses in the valley. GBPWD Resthouse is the oldest rest house in the valley. FCNA, GB Scouts & PAF had their own rest houses to serve the purpose. There are also several private accommodation facilities and hotels in  the valley. Ski competitions are held at Naltar ski resort.