Narkanda
It’s a small town in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is around 62kms away from the Shimla and is surrounded by Shivalik Range.
Town has pleasant monsoon throughout the year.While you can expect the snowfall during winter season. It can be great option as well if someone wants to opt for solo travelling as well.
Started journey from Delhi
Took a bus from ISBT Kashmiri gate to Shimla at late night around 9.30 PM and reached Shimla ISBT Bus stand at 6 am in the morning.
Morning breeze and chilling monsoon welcome us with great heart.
Took a bus from the Shimla bus stop for Narkanda. It will take around a hour or so to reach Narkanda.
Get down at Narkanda and left for our Cottage. One can easily find a place under 600 to 800 with a scenery view of mountains covered with snow.
Have a cup of tea with the beautiful surrounding around you.
After taking the rest for sometime, have started our walk towards the starting point towards the hatu peak.
It is an easy direction moving towards the initial point for the point.
While walking towards the point, there are numerous tree surrounded by you. Shaded trees, greenery and routed roads keeps you happy.
Here we go
There is a road which goes towards Thanedar. Walk for more than a kilometre, until you reach a junction where three roads intersect. This junction is in a large clearing surrounded by tall pine trees.
Take the narrow road in the middle that climbs up into the pine forest. A sign board will also show you the way.
Once you start your trekking, beauty of the pine forest will strike you the very moment you get on the trail. It's surrounded by the beauty of nature and perfect climate.
The pines stand impressively tall and majestic. At times, light rarely touches the surface of the road.
Keep climbing upward through the continuous trails. You just need to walk for another hour or so on this deserted road as it snakes around the mountain side.
Keep walking around 3 kms into the trials and reveal your first view of the mountain ranges of the greater Himalayas.
There is a place named as Gujjar Kotha. A small pond that overlooks a superb view of the mountain ranges makes it an ideal spot to take a break. Rest here for sometime and feel the breeze.
Keep walking for another one kilometre and take a left turn towards south. This is where you have to leave the comfort of the road and turn into an explorer.
From here, you have to find your own trail to the Hatu peak
The trail climbs quickly and gains considerable height. Throughout this stretch, it maintains a steady straight line towards Hatu peak.
At a few points, the trail flattens, taking in the curve of the mountain, but generally maintains at one direction. Just as you mark 11,000 feet and seem out of breath, the trail opens out to the top of Hatu peak.
Top of the peak will give you breathtaking view.