Walks
The area caters for everyone from the naturalist to the cultural tourist at all levels of fitness from the casual walk to strenuous hikes. There are a great many things to do and see; take your pick! A sample of walks is presented below. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to ask us. We’d be delighted to provide you with more information.
Forest & Village Walks: At your doorstep! (0 km)
Simply step out of the property straight into the forest! The area is richly populated with trees of all kinds: cedar, cypress, oak, pine, rhododendron and many others. Take an early morning walk to invigorate your lungs, or catch a romantic sunset. If you feel up to it, why not pack a picnic lunch and wander about in the forest, and spend a languid afternoon reading among the trees? Whatever you choose to do, the backdrop of the Himalayas is guaranteed to impress!
Kasar Devi: Goddess Shrine (1 km)
Very close to the cottages, a short and easy climb leads to the shrine of Kasar Devi, which an ancient shrine built in the 2nd century. The shrine is located at a height of 2116m, and there are amazing views of the Himalayas from the top. The valley on one side has roaring winds that blow most of the day. It is said that Swami Vivekananda spent some time meditating at the shrine at the surrounding areas.
Simtola Nature Park (1 km)
Very close to the cottages, a short climb leads to Simtola Nature Park, spread over an area of 37 hectares. This project was initiated by the Forest Department in partnership with the local people, and has many walking trails.
Other Walks: Chitai and Binsar
For those who like walking in the midst of nature, the Golu Devta temple at Chitai and the forest sanctuary at Binsar can also be reached by taking walking paths. At Binsar, we can also arrange for a trained forest guide to take you on a walk through the main areas of the forest reserve to a spot from where, on a clear day, the snow laden high Himalayas can be seen – as far as the famous peaks of Nanda Devi!