Lakes & Meadows
Deodar forest, a lake, and a high meadow crossing.
- Distance
- 110 km (one side)
- Duration
- 3 days
- Elevation gain
- +1,361 m gain
- Basecamp
- Narkanda
- Best months
- March – June, Aug – Oct
The route climbs through some of the oldest deodar stands in the upper Shimla region, where a lake and a temple still sit in the woods just beyond. It runs along the countryside ridges and opens out into meadow — high, grassy ground where shepherds bring flocks in summer, and the riding turns from forest tunnel to wide horizon. It offers the perfect opportunity to camp in the jungle.
Three days gives room to ride well and still stop — for the lake, for a meadow tea with the tribals, for the views back down the valley. It is another beginner-friendly route, just like Brooks & Trouts; pick between them depending on the number of days in hand and your interest.
Highlights
- Ancient forest and trails used by the British
- Lake, meadow and jungle in a single trail
- Good for self-pitching in meadow or jungle
- Wild lifestyle & foraging
How the route runs
Day 1
Into the forest
Climb out of Kotkhai into the deodars — a steady first day to find the rhythm of a loaded bike on a gradient.
Day 2
Meadow
Ride via village lanes to the meadow, where pitching the tent is the best option. The east-facing high meadow serves up the best sunrise of your life.
Day 3
The lake
Ride the secluded pathways down towards a lake surrounded by pine forest.
Permits & access
No permit is required. The pass road can stay snowbound into spring and shuts in heavy weather, so the route runs in the shoulder seasons either side of the monsoon. Alternate routes exist, which makes planning easy.
On the route
