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Neighborhood walks to Nature Trails - A Himachali Recipe for making the Transition

 Let me begin with a very happy independence to all!

This post is not for serious hikers or hard-core adventure lovers. This post is for those who like nature but are not able to spare enough time for it. Its for those who would like to do a small hike/ walk once a week or fortnight. The challenge for this creed is often to go beyond their daily walking routine. The planning or push required to go from their daily neighborhood walk to a day long excursion seems so daunting that one just keeps putting it off. This could be due to time constraints or simply after 5-6 hard days at work, one simply doesn’t have the energy to plan for the one remaining day in the week. This happens week after week, and before you know it a whole year has gone by.  

It is for this set of people (to which I belong as well) that I dedicate this post. I will put out a list of five hikes ( In Himachal Pradesh) which could be the first step up the ladder from the daily colony walk routine onto the larger ladder of nature trails and possibly even multi day treks. (someday?)

I will rate these 5 hikes on parameters of distance, time and difficulty level, mainly a proxy for the average slope. In addition, for all the super busy people I have also included the all-important parameter of “Time taken to reach” the point the hike begins. Often this point takes a longer time than the total time on the trek itself. For people, who are trying to fight so many forces to step beyond their neighborhood walk, this factor is all important. You don’t want to be irritated by the long travel to reach a point.  So here I go based on my personal experience. Also, the post is purely utilitarian and hence does not get into the description of the treks at all. The beauty of the hills needs no recommendation.

1. Catchment Area Hike. This is a walk through a forest located in the middle of Shimla, hence early int the morning one can reach there in half hour from any part of the city. A small entry fee makes it accessible to all. It is seven kilometers from the entry point of the sanctuary to the Forest guest house. The slope is flat and gentle except for the last kilometer. The total distance both ways is 14 kilometers. A brisk neighborhood walker will take approximately 90 minutes to cover the distance one way, making it a 4-5 hours commitment. (with rest periods thrown in)

The overall difficulty level is easy.

2. Shalli Tibba – This involves scaling a peak from Khatnol – about 2 hours’ drive from Shimla. At a brisk pace it takes 2-2.5 hours to reach the top and slightly lesser to descend. With the distance from Shimla thrown in, this becomes an 8–10-hour commitment with some decent gradients thrown in, interspersed with flat scenic stretches. The total distance is in the range of 9-10 kilometers. There is also an option to climb from Himri, which take almost 3-4 hours from Shimla so for people short on time, will advise otherwise. This is based on my experience of climbing from both Khatnol and Himri.

The overall difficulty level is medium.

3. Karol Tibba – The ascent begins from the hill at Kandaghat and one descends the other side at Chambaghat. The overall difficulty level, distance and time taken walking is similar to the Shalli Tibba hike. The time taken to reach the starting point is roughly an hour and a quarter from Shimla – a point where it scores over the Shalli trek. The overall time commitment is roughly 7-9 hours.

The overall difficulty level is medium.

4. Saryolsar Lake – This is a mostly flat 10 kilometer stretch through a forest, very much like the catchment area walk. It starts at Jalori pass in Kullu District. The starting point is at least 5 hours from Shimla and about 3.5 hours from Kullu. The overall time commitment if one is coming from Shimla and then returning is 10-12 hours in which the major chunk is being used up in travel. Strongly recommend not doing it in a day. Plan a night stay at Shojha (4.5 kilometers) or Jibhi (15 kilometers).

The difficulty level of the trek itself is easy but the overall experience of planning the travel etc. would put it in the medium category! (New concept!)

5. Choordhar – There are various places from where the ascent can begin. From the Sarahan side, the easiest of all trails starts at Mandah which is at least 5 hours from Shimla. The trail has significant inclines which can be testing for the body and mind. At a leisurely pace it is likely to take around 2.5 hours to reach the temple(7.5kms). From the temple to the peak is another ascent of at least half an hour(2kms). Coming down takes about 2 hours. In total, from Shimla one has to commit at least a day and half for this 19 kms expedition. There is the choice to ascend from Nauradhar, on the Sirmaur side, which is more approachable for tourists at 2.5 hours from Solan. From this side, the total ascent is 12-13 kms one way making it much longer. Recommend dedicating a couple of days to the whole adventure. You also have the option of spending the night right at Churdhar, from where the views are inspiring.

The overall difficulty level is high. That is the least you need to do to go from a neighbourhood walker to reaching the highest point of the Shivalik hills.  


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