Kalatop-Khajjiar Trail

No trip to Dalhusie is complete without going through this trail, through the thick forests of Deodar (Cedar) trees and alpine hills.

Hiking is the best way to appreciate the beauty of the flora and fauna. However, most tourists use taxis and buses to traverse this 43 km motorable route to Chamba through Khajjiar. Khajjiar is officially proclaimed the mini-Switzerland of India. It is 24 km from the GPO. Daily return bus trips are available from the bus stand by Himachal Tourism.

From the GPO, a steep one kilometer trek through lower Bakrota hill takes one to Tagore Chowk and Kumla-Nehru Park. A longer, motorable route of 3 km winds on the Eastern side of the hill. Dalhousie Public School and Central School for Tibetans are located on this Raizada Hans Raj Road.

From Tagore Chowk, a 3 km plain walk around the upper Bakrota is very popular with serious walkers. On the northern side of this Bakrota circle, are beautiful views of the Pangi range. On the southern side, one can enjoy the vistas of the valleys and rivers of the Panjab plains below. Noble laureate Rabindrabath Tagore spent a few months with his father at Snowdun cottage in Upper Bakrota.
	View of Pangi Range

Halfway on this circle is the watertank from where Dalhouise-Khajjiar Road takes a turn and passes through Bara Pathar and Ahli to reach Lakar Mandi. This uphill trek through Kalatop-Khajjiar Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary is awe-inspiring. At Bara Pathar there is a tee stall and outdoor amphitheater. Also located here is an open-air temple of Bhuvani-Mata. These open-air temples are unique to the hills. From Ahla a few adventurous take off-shoot.

The Bhuvani Temple	Bara Pathar

After a solid 10 km hike from the GPO, one reaches Lakar Mandi. There is a hamlet of Dhogria tribals here. There children in colorful clothes can be seen playing around. A few tea stalls and country stores are here, for refreshment and recuperation. From here, one trek leads to Kalatop Forest rest house. This is a pleasant, plain walk. The other uphill trek goes to Dain Kund, the highest point around Dalhousie. One can get a panoramic 360 degree view from this strategic point. Gujjiar tribal people have their huts and herd their buffaloes on the ranges of this mountain.

Kalatop Resthouse	Dhogria Tribal Hamlet at Lakarmandi

Going straight on the motorable road one reaches Khajjiar. There are a few spots on the way from where a beautiful bird's eye-view of Khajjiar can be seen. It rejuvanates the energies of the trekkers, and they are anxious to reach Khajjiar - the crown jewel of the Dalhousie hills.

Bird's eye-view of Khajjiar