Bhadraj Forest and Temple

Bhadraj trek is one of the best day hikes near Mussoorie taking you through a scenic forest walk to reach the Bhadraj temple at the mountain peak (2,200 m). Bhadraj temple on the mountain top is dedicated to Lord Balbhadra. Bhadraj Hill gives a 360 degree panoramic view of higher Himalayas in the north, Assan barage to the west & Doon valley to the south.

Who can do Bhadraj trek ?

It is a perfect trek for hikers looking for a full day trek with a forest trail and hill top summit. Bhadraj is an ideal trek for nature lovers, bird watchers & beginners.

Nearby Trails : Trekkers on an extended itinerary can also plan a trek to Nag Tibba, which is one of the best weekend treks in India

Freaky Contrast on Bhadraj mountain

The most extraordinary feature of this trek is the freakish contrast between the thickly forested northern slopes and the totally bare grassland, which characterises the southern slopes. A line appears to have been drawn by a ruler, down the dividing ridge. Though bizarre, the effect of contrasting green tones is beautiful. It conceals Mussoorie’s unique secret, the interplay of geological and climatic factors. This trail actually overlooks one of the world’s most exciting tectonic plate boundaries. The Great Himalayas rear up on one hand and the Indian plains on the other, the latter slipping inexorably under the former.

Did You Know

– Surprisingly, the northern face of the Bhadraj mountain is heavily forested while the southern face is almost like a bare grassy mountain.

Clouds End

TrailHikers highly recommends that you star this trek at Cloud’s End but if you are short of time and you want to skip Day One of the trek, then take a taxi to Dhudhli and start hiking from there. Dhudhli (the Milkman’s village), as the name suggests, provides buffalo milk for Mussoorie. The villagers, except for water problem, are comparatively well off. In the old days, even untill ten years ago, they would spend the whole day walking into Mussoorie and back. now with bank loans for jeep/taxis, they can deliver the milk in a fraction of time.

Did You Know

– Leopard’s Lodge which is now known as Cloud End Forest Resort is isolated and immaculately girldled by oak forest, was supervised by one of the first colonial travel writers, Fanny Parkes, in 1838.

Bhadraj Hill top

The hill of the Bhadraj Temple peaks in a rounded grassy summit, which falls away steeply. Though the surface is parched for almost nine months of the year, this first serious uprise of the Himalayas catches exceedingly heavy monsoon rainfall, allowing the luxuriant grass on the slopes. Mussoorie gets an average of 200 cm of rain annually, of which 160 cm falls in only 70 days. Colonial commercial policy and Mussoorie’s allure as a luxury hill station has led to the weakening of the tree cover. Both fodder and firewood demands have taken their toll on the surrounding landscape.

Did You Know

– Bhadraj peak at 2,200 m is one of the highest mountain peaks in Mussoorie region. Bhadraj mountain receives good amount of snowfall during the winter months.

Bhadraj Temple

The Bhadraj Temple is dedicated to Lord Balbhadra (Lord Krishna’s younger brother). The idols inside are intriguing and are said to reflect Budhhist influences, which once were very present in these tracts bordering the Yamuna. The temple holds an annual fair from 15th to 17th Aug when the villagers throng the temple to make milk offerings to the deity. The mela (fair) is a grand affair and has been provided level ground for stalls, and even a helicopter pad.

The great bonus of this hike is that a cool breeze accompanies you all the way, even in the hot months, since the higher you climb, the cooler is the wind on your face. The views, whether to the snow peaks in the north, or over the Shivaliks in the south, are expansive, and the shady path through the oak jungle a constant pleasure.