Continuing from the previous article where I talked about 7 easy winter treks in Uttarakhand; In this article I will list down a few places that can be considered as easy winter treks in Himachal Pradesh. When I say easy here, I am talking about a trek that anyone who is not into trekking that much can go on; making it perfect for a beginner. If you too fall in this category, have never been went out on a trek before but would like to try your hand on it; or would like to add a different experience to your upcoming trip, then you can consider heading towards any of these places. The treks I am mention below are not way too long, can easily be done in a day or two in some cases and do not require any prior trekking or mountaineering experience.
With the above being said, there are however a few things that will still apply. A trek will after all involve hours of walking up and down the hills, through forest areas; and in winter, through a lot of snow. If your expedition is lasting a couple of days at least, then there will also be sleeping in a tent which can be a lot uncomfortable sometimes. Washrooms in such case will be a big trouble.
So if you are someone who is not really up for the inconvenience; or tends to fall sick easily then maybe you should think about whether or not to go trekking. If there is any medical condition involved like Asthma, heart condition, knee problems etc then you should either give up trekking thoughts completely; or at least consult your doctor before you plan your trip. If you were planning a trip with your family then you should rather think about some other family tourist destination like Shimla and Manali unless you have a family who is up for the adventure ahead.
So what really makes trekking so much fun? There are several things that contribute to make it an experience one of its kind. The first and the foremost is that it takes you away from the crowd. Even the so called “offbeat” destinations in Uttarakhand and Himachal can sometimes be a bit crowded. If you are looking for a trip away from people completely; out in the lap of mother nature then going out on a trek is what you should consider.
Second benefit is the vistas that you will get to see. No famous tourist spot will give you the scenery that a trek will. You truly get to enjoy the valleys of Himachal and witness their ethereal beauty. You get to go to places that only a handful of people have ever been to. Some of the treks pass through remotest of tiny hamlets and you get a firsthand experience of the local life here.
Easy Winter Treks in Himachal
Mentioned below are 5 places that I will recommend to anyone for an easy or first trek in winter season.
- Hatu Peak
- Chamba Dalhousie Trek
- Triund
- Bijli Mahadev
- Prashar Lake
More details on the places is as mentioned below.
Hatu Peak
This probably is the easiest trek that you can venture open in Himachal. It is a one day trek starting from Narkanda that takes you to the top of Hatu Peak; highest mountain in the region. Though it is a small hike as compared to other treks but that is what makes it perfect for a beginner. The 12-14 kilometers long walk takes you through dark pine forests and enchanting meadows; all the time providing a superb view of the mountains around as you walk through the snow. You can also make arrangements to camp at the top of the peak and return the next day. Porters and guides for the same are available at Narkanda itself.
- Start Location: Narkanda
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 24-28 kilometers round trip from Narkanda
- Maximum Altitude:3,200 meters
- Porters and Guides: Narkanda
- Best time to Visit: January and February
- Route: Delhi – Shimla – Narkanda – 12-14 kilometers long trek to Hatu Peak
Chamba Dalhousie Trek
This is another beginner trek that packs a full punch of what other more difficult treks will offer. You can either trek from Chamba to Dalhousie or the other way around. The 35 kilometers long walking on the snow will take you through dense forests, Khajjiar Wildlife sanctuary with stunning views of Dhauladhar mountain range. This is relatively a very easy trail that you can even bring your families to. It will however involve staying in camps at the night as the entire trek will take at least 2-3 days to complete.
- Start Location: Chamba or Dalhousie
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 35 kilometers
- Maximum Altitude: Approximately 8,000 ft.
- Porters and Guides: Chamba or Dalhousie
- Best time to Visit: January and February
- Route: Delhi – Ludhiana – Pathankot – Dalhousie / Chamba
Triund
Another perfect and amazingly scenic trek; Triund remains to be a popular destination throughout the year. In Summer, even this trek can feel a bit crowded which is not really the case in Winter. It is a 2 days trek with night camping up at the top of the peak; arrangements for which can be made at Mcleodganj itself. It is quite a popular trek in winter as well due to which even the café at top of the peak remains open throughout the year.
Downside however is that the trek is long and can be a little difficult for beginners. But since you have all day; you can take regular breaks and climb at an easy pace. Do remain prepared though to shell out some money here; the camping arrangements are a little costly and even a cup of tea at the café atop the peak will cost over Rs. 50.
- Start Location: Mcleodganj
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 18 kilometers
- Maximum Altitude: 2,850 meters
- Porters and Guides: Mcleodganj
- Best time to Visit: January and February
- Route: Delhi – Chandigarh – Amb – Dharamshala – Mcleodganj – 18 Kilometers trek to Triund
Bijli Mahadev
I am not really sure where the name comes from but Bijli Mahadev is actually a Shiv temple atop a hill; and is believed to safeguard the valleys of Kullu and Parbati. This is another relatively small and easier trek but stunning beautiful. The snow covered ridge and 360 degrees view of the valleys around are the prime highlights of this trek. This trek starts from Chansari village and actual walking distance will depend on how deep the snow is. If you are able to drive all the way where the road ends that the final trek is of about 2.5 kilometers.
- Start Location: Chansari Village
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 2.5 to 4 kilometers
- Maximum Altitude: 2,500 meters
- Best time to Visit: January and February
- Route: Delhi – Chandigarh – Mandi – Kullu – Chansari – 2.5 to 4 kilometers trek to the temple
Prashar Lake
Last but not the least comes the beautiful Prashar lake which practically gets wrapped in snow during winters. The lake is located approximately 50 kilometers from Mandi and the actual trek is of about 8 kilometers from Baggi Village. This lake is considered sacred and there is a three storied pagoda temple, located just along the lake, dedicated to the sage Prashar, who is said to have meditated here. Apart from the magnificent frozen lake, you also get clear views of Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and Kinnaur range from the top.
- Start Location: Baggi Village
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Maximum Altitude: 8, 477 ft.
- Trek Length: 16 Kms round trip from Baggi
- Guide and Porters: Available at Mandi and Baggi
- Best Time to Visit: December to March
- Route: Delhi – Chandigarh – Mandi – Baggi – 8 Kilometers trek to Prashar Lake
Conclusion
I hope the list above of easy winter treks in Himachal was of help. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum; and I will be glad to answer.
