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Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh
One of my favourite hikes around Shimla. It feels like going into the wild, a small stream flows along the way, and suddenly you reach a meadow with a wonderful view of the greater Himalayas. There's also an old Giri Ganga temple, a really peaceful place to sit and relax.
This is undoubtedly one of the best picnic spots and hikes near Shimla. You get a scenic drive from Shimla to Kharapathar, and from there you can either start running (which I did) or drive 6 km more to Giri Ganga, park, and start the trail.
The drive to Giri Ganga runs through dense Himalayan oak and fir forest. There's a very old temple with a small pool, the water is freezing cold in summer, but you can take a dip before or after your run. Follow the local customs and ethics tied to this place and the temple. Fill up on water and food at the last station, Kharapathar, because you won't get anything except water at Giri Ganga.
From Giri Ganga you're already at 2800 m, and the hike to the peak is only about 2.5 km. The first 1 km climbs gradually, then the last 1.5 km is steep, taking you to 3350 m. You go through deep forest beside a small water stream, then up to the meadow and finally the peak, where there's a Kali Mata temple. The views are breathtaking in every direction.
For me, I ran from Kharapathar, using the 6 km of tarmac to warm up the diesel engine before going full gas up the trail to the top. I set a course record of 2 hours 17 minutes. From Kharapathar it can be done under 2 hours if you're a professional mountain runner.
Navigation rule. The trail is mostly visible, but there are a few confusing points. The right-hand rule here: just follow the water stream until you see a big trail going up to the meadow. Carry the GPX.
Bear country. This is a bear area, so be careful if you're going solo. Don't leave the trail into the dense forest. Leopards are here too but encounters are very rare.
Temple etiquette. There's an old temple with a cold pool at Giri Ganga. You can take a dip, but respect the local cultural beliefs and ethics of the place.
By road: Reach Shimla, then take any bus heading towards Rohru, or drive to Kharapathar on a scenic, good road.
To the trailhead: You can drive or take a taxi all the way to Giri Ganga, it's tarmac the whole way. Giri Ganga is at about 2800 m, and the actual hike to Kuppar Peak (around 3350 m) begins here, roughly 2.5 km up.
Kuppar Peak Trail Run
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