INTRODUCTION:-
The treks around Kasol are the main attraction of Parvati Valley. In general,one of the main reasons that trekkers and adventure lovers throng to Kasol and Parvati Valley is that there are trekking trails suitable for all kinds of trekkers. From arduous treks lasting several days to easy short hikes,Kasol has it all.Kasol is one of the most sought after destinations for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts and there are many treks around Kasol. These include those treks which take around half an hour to complete which require days to complete. If you are in Kasol, you can definitely find at least one trek that suits you. It will be of great help for first-timers to choose which trek or trail they want to follow according to the level of difficulty. For all the experienced trekkers,there are a plethora of moderate to difficult treks around Kasol that you can take to challenge yourself.
13 TREKS AROUND KASOL:
FROM BEGINNERS TO EXPERT LEVEL:-
Not long ago,Kasol was another quaint little village nestled deep in Himachal Pradesh that no one knew about. Recently it burst on the tourism map due to two main reasons, one being easy availability of high quality hashish (possession and consumption of hashish is illegal in India, You can even be arrested if this happens to you),and another because of the beautiful hiking and trekking trails around Kasol. If you are traveling to Kasol for the first time, then I would definitely recommend you to go on one of the treks in Kasol. No matter how much time you are planning to spend on Kasol, you can definitely find a trek in your itinerary. If you are traveling to Kasol or Parvati Valley for the first time in general. you may find my itinerary helpful. In this blog, I have shared 2,4 and 6-day itinerary for Kasol. Here are some of the best treks around Kasol that I would recommend to first-time visitors to the region:
EASY OR BEGINNER LEVEL TREKS NEAR KASOL:-
To complete these trek hikes, you don’t need to be super fit. The slopes are not that steep and the trail is well defined.These are short walking tours that take 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete.
1.TREK TO THE ‘INFAMOUS,’ MALANA VILLAGE:-
Malana Trek is the most popular as well as one of the shortest treks around Kasol. It takes only 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the infamous Malana village from Malana Gate. A village has a world of its own. Some strange rules of this village will surprise you. The residents of Malana claim to be the descendants of the soldier of Alexander the Great.You cannot touch anything in the village, nor can you touch its inhabitants, For breaking this rule, you will have to pay a heavy fine of 3000 rupees. The main deity of Jamlu Devta who is the supreme of the village.And no decision can be taken without their permission.
2.POSSIBLY THE EASIEST: KASOL TO CHALAL TREK:-
This is one of the easy treks in Kasol. I wouldn’t even ask to trek it. Because it’s a short climb to the less crowded village of Chalal.And one of the easiest trekking route in Kasol. It takes around 30-45 minutes to reach this beautiful hamlet. And it’s mostly a level walk, so there’s no climbing or descending.
3.TREK TO THE EXTREMELY PICTURESQUE KALGA VILLAGE:-
It is one of the most beautiful villages in Parvati Valley which is becoming popular these days due to its beautiful landscapes. One of the best things about this village is that despite the growing popularity of this village not many people visit. Which is difficult to find in Parvati valley these days. The trail is well marked and it takes around 30-45 minutes to reach this village from Barshaini bridge.
4.TREK TO THE LAST MOTORABLE VILLAGE TOSH:-
Tosh village is also the last motorable village of Parvati Valley. Surrounded by lush green mountains with deodar, deodar, oak trees. it offers a splendid view of these mountains. I backpacked to Tosh Village in winters and was completely taken aback by the winter landscape around it. To go from Kasol to Tosh, first you have to read Barshaini. Local buses are available every hour which will take you from Kasol to Barshaini. Once you reach Barshaini you can simply proceed on motorable road from Barshaini to Tosh which is just 3 kms. From Tosh you can take several short treks like Kutla Trek and Budhban Trek
5.TREK TO KUTLA VILLAGE FOR THE VIEWS:-
Kutla is a small village near Tosh. It offers an excellent view of the snow-capped mountains and is a must-visit trek around Kasol. It is just 2 hours away from Tosh village. The trail is well marked so if one wants to do it alone it shouldn’t be a problem. Plus, a lot of people are on the trail during the season months so you’re less likely to get out of the way. But in case of any discrepancy it is better to ask the local people. If you are going to do it during the winter, make sure you get the proper gear to do it. And hire a guide as the difficulty increases significantly if there is a lot of snow on the trail.
6.TREK A LITTLE FURTHER TO BUDDHABAN CAMPSITE:-
Budhban Kutla is only half an hour’s walk from the village. Budhban serves as the base for many other treks like Animal Pass Trek, Spiti Trek etc. The road from Kuta to Budhban is a bit steep for about a kilometer. If you are trekking to Kutla,then this place is covered with ease.
