by If you think about Pabbar Valley, a sight of the serene flowing Pabbar comes to mind. However, the region is much more than that and has numerous places of beauty, with one of these being the Mural Danda. This peak is known for its Mural Danda trek and is fairly easy to accomplish.
This is one of the best winter treks you can undertake in the Pabbar Valley of the Rohru region in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. The mural danda height in feet rises to around 14,000 feet at its pinnacle, making this trek all the more special. Snow-capped peaks and panoramic views of the Pabbar Valley and Baspa region are something that makes the Mural Danda trek insightful indeed.
This is one peak in this region, which has not been explored much and is also rich in herbal flora. You can climb it through various routes, and one of these is through Sungri village, which is undoubtedly the most popular.
This trek can also be undertaken from Dumhera village and can be a 3-day trek if undertaken with a trekking company. So, before you hit the mountain of Mural Danda, let’s explore it virtually!
Rohru to Dumhera
When you drive from Rohru to Dumhera to begin your mural danda trek, you move along the waters of the Pabbar River. This is the route, ironically, that you will have to take for the Buran Ghati trek, which begins from Janglik.
When you are around 10 kilometers from Rohru, a sharp left turn takes you to Badiyara. You will begin to move away from Pabbar and on to the way to Dumrera. A tributary of Pabbar, locally known as Mansrad gad, will appear as you drive on paved and unpaved roads to Devidhar.
Dumrera is only 2 km from Devidhar, and in case you take the road, it would be an off-road track. This zig-zag road finally ends at Dumrera, which is a small village with 10-12 houses. You can stay here at any house for a small payment. Most of the houses here are in traditional Kathkuni architecture, which will also give you an insight into the architectural richness of the place.
This is a great place to relax and acclimatize before you begin the trek the next morning.
Courtesy: Mysterious Himachal
Dumrera to Mural Campsite
On day 2, the mural danda trek is from 8400 feet to 11,330 feet, which is a distance of 7.5 km. You will feel energized as the trek progresses from apple orchards to dense pine forests, which are at the edge of the village.
500 meters from the village, the Mural Danda Trail becomes steep indeed. Green oaks begin to appear, and a thick foliage of wild berry trees will also be evident. Some 1.8 km into the trail, a flat ground appears; you can rest here for a while and prepare for the steep ascent ahead. When you have trekked around 3 km, the forest cover of golden oak shall appear. Moving ahead, an open meadow known as Tangnu will come. As you climb a bit, you will be rewarded with views of peaks like Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini in the distance. Only a real trekker would enjoy viewing these vital peaks from a distance!
This is the perfect place for lunch, which you need to carry alongside. In some cases, you can also cook food here if you have come prepared amply for camping. This place also offers breathtaking views of the Ransar Valley.
After dozing a bit post your lunch, it is time to begin the Mural Danda trek again. The open expanses of Tangnu are also a perfect place to set up camp. In case you have ample days for the trek, it is time to hike further up.
At this point, you are just above the tree line. This brief climb will lead you into a narrow valley, which opens up gradually. From this place, the peaks like Shrikhand and Mani Mahesh are also visible. You will also see the Mural Danda in front of you, but as you move closer, it seems to get further away.
When you are in this area, a steep descent is encountered on your way. Crossing two such gullies, you will come to a ridge point. This ridge seems to go all the way to Mural Danda. However, a left turn has to be taken here to enter the forest again.
Shrikhand Mahadev is just in front of you, and when you peep down a bit, you shall see Mansrad Gad and Devi Dhar in front of you. On a sunny and clear day, even Rohru town can be seen from this point.
500 meters into this trail and you shall be at your camping place, which is also known as Mural Campsite, as many trekking companies set up their camps here. In case you have come along with a group of friends and wish to set up your camp for the night, you can do so at a short distance from other camps.
Arrive at Mural Danda
On day 3 of this mural danda trek, it is time to turn back to the diversion point from where you have taken a left turn for the Mural Campsite. Once you are again at this diversion point, continue straight to the ridge, which shall take you to Mural Danda. As you climb this trail on your way to the summit point, Mural Danda, you will continuously see ranges like Srikhand Mahadev and Kokshane on your right and Kalang and Chansal on your left edge.
This is a steep 3 km ascent, and when you are at the top, all the legendary peaks like Hanuman Tibba, Kinnaur Kailash, Bandarpoonch, and Swargarohini will be evident. The vast green carpet has a stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the center. This is your summit point, and you shall be on the top of Mural Danda!
The beauty of this Mural Danda trek can only be experienced, and while you are on the top of this legendary peak, you shall feel like a legend too. Come, experience this raw essence of the Himalayas for yourself, and let this feeling of being a part of eternity soak in for real. The Mural Danda trek awaits you!
Featured image: Deodar cottage
