Hatu Peak

Hatu Peak is famous for its apple orchards, mountains covered in snow, green paddy fields, and dense pine forests. The place is beautiful and peaceful, away from the fast moving life of the city with no honking horns and pollution. Hatu peak is rich in cultural heritage and all the festivals including Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, and Lohri are all celebrated with sheer happiness and in a grand manner. The peak witnesses visitors visiting the place in huge numbers. The scenic beauty of the site is unexplainable, and that is what draws the attention of people around towards it.

Climbing to an altitude of 11,155 feet will be a 7-8 hour journey, and you will have covered a total distance of 14 kms! The striking beauty of the pines will hit you from the moment you start the trek, and the awe of their majesty will stay with you forever. The hill is so densely packed with these tall trees that sometimes, the rays of the sun can’t even touch the ground. The path penetrates the raw forests of the hill, and once you are three kms into the trek, you will have your first view of the snow clad mountain ranges of the greater Himalayas.

On your way to the peak, you will find few flat-roofed shepherd huts which are known as the 'Gujjar Kotha'. These are temporary shelters for shepherds who come here to graze their cows and buffaloes. You will also come across a small shiny pond during your climb, and you will find the sparkly waters greeting you with joy. This is a perfect rest stop for relaxing and admiring the peripheral beauty and provides an ideal backdrop to capture some everlasting memories.

About 4 kms into the trek, you will find yourself embracing adventure and becoming an explorer because here, the road disappears and nudges you to find your own way to the peak! But don't worry, the forest is well marked and shouldn't take you much time to figure out the directions. After this point, the climb becomes a little steep, but the destination is not far.

After a few kms, you will reach the peak and have yourself a panoramic view of the majestic and mind-bogglingly mesmerizing Himalayas! The Hatu Mata Temple itself is a worthy attraction and is visited by most locals on the first Sunday of Jyeshtha. Goat sacrifice is still practiced at this temple. If you're feeling adventurous and unwilling to end this refreshing experience, you can extend the trek to many points like Jor Bagh, Karena Peak, Baghi Village and Tanni Juber Lake.

If you visit the Hatu peak during the first few weeks of March, you can treat yourself to some fresh untouched snow.  It is best to visit the Hatu Peak during the months between March and October, where the temperature will be a tolerable at around 8-20 degrees Celsius as against during the winters when it falls to a biting -10 degree Celsius.

The only way to reach Hatu Peak is through the tiny hamlet of Narkanda which is a regular stop on the bus service from Shimla to Rampur. The journey takes around 2.5 hours and costs INR 60-70. If you do not wish to travel by public transport, you can hire a private car for covering the same distance. There are parking lots at the base from where the trekking starts. Don't park in the first parking lot, you will find another one 600 metres away which is closer to the trek base.