Trekking in Dalhousie

Dalhousie has something to offer you in every season. You should plan to visit Dalhousie depending on what you want to do in this pretty hill-station.

Summers: The best time to plan your Dalhousie trek is in the summer months of March to June. This is the time when the snow starts to dilute and you will be able to witness the lush greenery.  The weather is pleasant and the temperature is less than 30 degree Celsius.

By Air: The closest domestic airport is in Pathankot which is just 75 kilometres away from Dalhousie but is connected to New Delhi only. The second nearest airport is Gaggal Airport which is in the Kangra district and is approximately 140 kilometres away from the town.

By Road: Many deluxe, semi-sleeper, luxury and Volvo buses run from ISBT New Delhi covering a distance of approximately 590 kilometres. Most of the buses stop by the roadside dhabas and eateries.Since the road and the highway leading to Dalhousie is well-built, you can also choose to drive your own vehicle and reach here. Generally, the preferred route from New Delhi is Karnal, Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Pathankot. From Pathankot, the hilly terrain starts and the distance is approximately 72 kilometres from Dalhousie.

By Train: The most cost-effective and convenient way to reach Dalhousie is by train. PathankotChakki Bank Railhead is the nearest railway station from Dalhousie (approximately 71 kilometres). 

Some of the famous winter treks in Dalhousie are:

• Kalatop winter trek: This is a beautiful trek nearly 12 km from Dalhousie, filled with old trees and amazing views. It is mostly downhill so can be completed in a few hours.
• Khajjiar winter trek: It is a 14 km trek through amazing landscapes of Deodar and Pine trees interspersed with streams.
• Bakrota Hills: A walk round the hills, where you will feel fresh and calm by the scenic beauty of nature.
• GanjiPahari : This winter trek is good for beginners and is literally called bald hill as it has no much vegetation.
• Ravi River Trek: Explore walking along the river in Dalhousie expecting great views of Dhauladhar range and flowing water.

Go on an expedition to discover the scenic beauty of Dalhousie. Some of the famous summer treks include:

• Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary: Walk along a path in the protected forest and explore the fauna and flora.
• Dainkund: Explore the real beauty of nature on Dainkund trek, which is about a 4.5 km long trek. It is a moderate level trek and can be best done between April and November.
• Panchpula is only about 3 km from GPO on the Dalhousie Khajjiar road. It is a 14 km long trek and serves as a base for many other nearby treks.

Yes, Dalhousie is considered a safe trek, having various hiking locations which range from easy to difficult level. Trekking trails like GanjiPahari and Bakrota Hills are considered as safest places to trek. You can also enjoy Khajjiar Trek which is near the city, and is well- laid for hiking

Kalatop wildlife sanctuary is another trekking location, which is safe to walk in. It is advisable to hire a trainer and a guide if you are new to the place. However, Dalhousie is a safe destination in North India.

The Dain Kund Trek is the trekking trail leading to DainKund Peak. The DainKund Peak is the highest peak point in Dalhousie, situated at 2,755 metres. This trek gets maximum snowfall during the winter season.

It’s one of the most visited places in Dalhousie. Relish the stunning views from such a height or pay homage to the trident perched in Pholani Devi Temple.

Yes, Jalsu Pass, also known as the Flower Valley of Himachal Pradesh, can be done, as it is situated at an elevation of 3,900 metres and is the easy link between Chamba and Kangra tribal valley. This trek offers you a glimpse of Dhauladhar Range and PirPanjal Mountain Range.

Enthral the charming views of the massif and nature’s beauty on your way to the top of Jalsu Pass. It is a downhill trek till the last and you will witness huge traffic of pilgrims during the ChambaKailashYatra season.

If you are older than 9 years, you probably can trek on Guna Devi pass. It is an easy to moderate trek offering a hike through picturesque terrains and stunning views of the valley beneath.

A 7 kilometre day trek that links Gallu temple with Guna Devi temple. Guna Devi Temple is one of the popular religious shrines in the region. ShriGuna Devi Mandir is completely surrounded by forests of oak and deodar.

Yes, you can experience camping in Dalhousie during your trekking plans. You will be staying in camps on various sites like Dainkund and Khajjiar.

Apparently, camps will be there in most of the treks but it’s always advisable to check the dates before booking, also collect information about the camping facility in a particular trek.

You will stay in tents with insulated mats and sleeping bags and experience Bon-fire and music in the evening. There will be a luxury of fixed Europe style bathrooms and tents are spacious enough to accommodate up to 3 people.

The tents will be waterproof, lightweight and equipped with comfortable sleeping mats or beds, compost toilets and hand basins.

Trekking in Dalhousie requires you to be well-equipped. You must carry these mandatory items when planning the trek:

• Walking stick
• Map
• Binoculars
• Sleeping bag
• Hiking shoes
• Woolen clothes
• Water, juices and energy drinks
• Easy to eat snacks
• Electric torch and spare batteries
• Scissors
• Sunglasses
• Medical kit : equipped with medicines for motion sickness, fever and food poisoning
• A good compass
• An extra pair of clothes
• Fleece and fur jackets

As for girls, trekking is extremely safe. The vendors have highest regards for women safety and will ensure that they're safe during the entire trek.

If there is only one girl in the trip, then she will be provided with a single tent to sleep alone. If there are more girls, then they can sleep under one tent. Understand your pace and stick with the group.

Usually, all the lodges provide proper blankets and sleeping bags, with efficient insulation and soft inner fabric You will also be provided with proper and comfortable sleeping mats.

These will be long foamed mats on which a person can sleep with ease. Moreover, if you are already familiar with heat and insulation, these mats will help insulate your body from the cold ground.

Dalhousie is an adventurous destination which is famous for its walking trails. But, Dalhousie is even famous for activities such as

• River Rafting
• Boating
• Fishing
• Rock Climbing
• Mountaineering
• City shopping areas
• River Crossing
• Waterfalls
• Shopping
• Sightseeing
• Picnic

Dalhousie is a famous hill station for many travellers due to its picturesque beauty and with a history of the British rule it also has a tinge of the vintage era.

It houses popular monuments, temples, peaks and weather. Some of the famous tourist attractions in Dalhousie includes: 

• Refresh in the pristine Satdhara Falls
• Picnic at Khajjiar ‘the mini Switzerland’
• Boating in chamera lake
• Explore PanchPulla
• Stroll through GaramSadak
• Discover routes and wildlife of Kalatop Wildlife sanctuary
• Rafting in River Ravi
• Shop at the Tibetan handicraft markets
• Sacred River Satluj
• Paddle in river Saal
• Trek to Dainkund Peak
• Pay a tribute at SubhashBaoli
• Visit Bakrota Hills
• Admire the famous St, Francis Church
• Pray at St. John Church
• Meander in lake Chamba
• Get blessings at the Chamunda Devi Temple
• Pay homage to Pholani Devi Temple.

Yes, you can visit this church as it is open throughout the year and an inviting pilgrim spot in Dalhousie. St. Francis Church is one of the most popular places to visit in Dalhousie.

It is a 119 year old Church, which is believed to be a replica of The Church of England, boasting of its beautifully carved interiors and exotic Victorian architectural influence.