Forest Walks for the Soul

We have a tiny summer place in the lap of the Himalayas surrounded by dense pine, oak and cedar trees. It is our serene sanctuary up in the mountains. What we experience most here is the tranquillity of the numerous forest walks.

Located 10 kilometres from Shimla, the sleepy little township of Mashobra becomes thoroughly animated during the summers. About 40 families like ours from the plains establish themselves in small housing complexes that they own. It is a most delightful time for us, away from the heat, dust and pollution of the cities, and equally for the locals as their small businesses flourish. We are welcomed enthusiastically by the neighborhood fruit/vegetable vendors, grocery and halwai store owners.

This is what we call the mall road of Mahsobra. It takes barely five minutes to cross it on foot but caters to all our requirements. There are general stores, grocery stores, halwais who cater to breakfast, lunch and dinner besides mouthwatering sweets and samosas, chemists, tourist cabs, vegetable/fruit vendors and even a beauty parlour.

After crossing the market, one reaches a milestone that reads “Mashobra 0” on one side and “Bekhalti 18” on the other. It is pure bliss ambling on this tract and as I discovered gradually, it is indeed a walker’s paradise.

(Pic Credits: Poonam Kirpal)

A long level walk, it is something rare in the hills and suitable for all age groups. One can even cycle with no trouble. One side is a deep gorge lined with a thick pine, cedar and oak forest, and the mountain side is furrowed by green foliage. There are ferns, wild daisies and creepers with beautiful flowers. The white daisies strewn all over the hill look like stars on the green undergrowth. Each season has something exotic to offer. In the summer, it’s daisies; then just before the rains, snake plants show up, an indication of the approaching monsoons. Then, one sees numerous pine cones.

November onwards, one observes a lot of tiny, dried flowers. They look like wood roses. It is fun to collect them and maybe paint them in vivid colours.

(Pic Credits: Poonam Kirpal)

One can stick to the level walk for miles, but if you want to pump some cardio into your workout, there are some enchanting trails that one can follow. Just after you start your walk on Bekhalti road, there is a trajectory towards the hillside. It is a route where one can view yaks with their owners take in the morning to reach Kufri, a popular tourist spot. A winding uphill footpath gets one to the famous Oberois property, Wildflower Hall.

Further on, there is another path going down to Sipur village. En route, one crosses Mashobra Greens, a camping site for hikers, walkers and tourists. The area also has residential complexes, cafes and homestays. This is another splendid walk down a winding road. One can also take the mud paths, which are shorter and slightly steeper. The Sipur village holds an annual Sipi Fair in honour of Sip Devta on 15^th May, where thousands of people throng. Archery is played and several cultural programmes and variety shows are held in which the local youth performs pahari dances. There are also well decorated stalls of sweetmeats and other knick knacks.

Going along the Bekhalti road, one comes across a board that reads Sophia Primary School. Taking a detour down the road gets one to another mesmerising circuit. En route one crosses a cremation ground which is still under construction. This is quite a necessity, as it is approachable by road unlike the old one which is very steep down a hill. Once you reach the Sophia School, take a break to visit it. It commands a 360-degree view. One sees well-manicured lawns and gardens with hydrangeas in abundance. The nuns are doing a great job providing quality education to the neighbouring community.

Back on Bekhalti road, there are state of the art villas like the Daojidhaar Estate, which provides one with home-like comforts and a house help at one’s beck and call. Popular with families with children, guests can cook and serve meals according to their convenience. On walking further, one reaches another road going down. This takes you to a beautiful boutique hotel called Mahasu House. A couple of hotels have mushroomed in this area at an altitude of 2,400 metres (8,000 feet) above sea level. It is an escape into the Himalayan wilderness for complete rejuvenation. Next on Bekhalti road, one reaches Daak Bangla, offering stunning views of the region’s natural beauty. If you keep following the route, you come out at Kufri. It is a walker’s paradise. According to a very passionate traveller and nature lover, it is one of the best forest walks in the world.

Unlike Shimla and its neighbouring town Sanjoli, which have become extremely crowded due to widespread construction, Mashobra is still quite unspoiled. We hope the local administration takes cognisance of this and ensures development in a planned manner. The builders should follow the construction norms strictly keeping the ethos and ambience of the scenery. The local community is very particular about cleanliness. One does not see anyone carrying plastic bags or littering the streets. But during the peak tourist season, we do get irresponsible holidaymakers who have no qualms about scattering the place with trash. Also, the unmanageable influx of tourists jams the narrow roads making commuting agonising.

Why can’t the government restrict the number of cars coming per day into Shimla District? The system can be implemented as the permit to enter Shimla was very well carried out during Covid. This way, tourists will have a better experience and would love to return every year. The local community will not be inconvenienced, and I am sure it will enhance the inflow of tourists eventually.

Poonam Kirpal

Poonam Kirpal is a Post Graduate in Child Development from Delhi University. Essentially associated with academics at the school and college level, she has been in touch with the young and the old at a personal and professional level. A freelance counsellor, she has three books to her credit: ‘Fast Forward’, ‘Saccharine and a Lot of Spice’, ‘Amma’ and ‘Ma + Ma = Grandma’. You can read her blog at www.midlifeuphoria.blogspot.in