Rahagir
Churdhar peak seen from the west

Destinations / Himachal Pradesh

Churdhar

Highest peak of Sirmaur, reached by a forest trek to the Shirgul Maharaj temple at 3,647 m.

Lesser-knownTrekPilgrimageWildlifeMeadow

Churdhar is the highest peak in Sirmaur district and of the outer Himalayas, with a hilltop temple and wide views of the snow ranges. The walk passes through a wildlife sanctuary with forest and open meadow. It suits fit walkers and pilgrims who are happy with very basic stays.

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Best time to go

WhenWhat to expect
May to JuneThe route opens around late April or early May. Days are mild, about 15 to 25 degrees, and this is the most crowded time.
July to AugustMonsoon months. The trail is open but guides do not list these among the recommended months.
September to NovemberClear views after the rains. The season closes around mid-November.
December to MarchHeavy snowfall. The temple is closed and the peak can be buried in deep snow.

Sights and activities

1

Churdhar Peak

The 3,647 m summit, the highest point in Sirmaur. On a clear day it gives a long view of the Greater Himalayan snow peaks.

Distance
About 14 to 18 km on foot from Nohradhar, depending on the source
Entry
Sanctuary trekker fee 100 per person
Timings
Open all day in season; closed by snow from December to March
Time needed
7-8 hours up, 5-6 hours down

MapWrong fee or timing?

2

Shirgul Maharaj (Chureshwar) Temple

A small square temple with a deodar wood roof just below the summit, dedicated to Shirgul Maharaj, who is worshipped as a form of Shiva. A fair is held at Navratri.

Distance
Near the summit, about 14 km on foot from Nohradhar
Entry
Free; sanctuary entry 50 for visitors from outside Himachal, 20 for Himachalis
Timings
About 7 AM to 6 PM; closed December to March
Time needed
1 hour

MapWrong fee or timing?

3

Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary

The forest around the peak. Monal, koklass and kaleej pheasants live here, along with musk deer and Himalayan black bear in the higher forest.

Distance
The trail enters it soon after Nohradhar
Entry
50 for visitors from outside Himachal, 200 for foreigners; 100 for trekkers; camera 50
Timings
Daylight hours; fee collected at Nohradhar, Sarain and Pulbahal
Time needed
Seen along the trek

MapWrong fee or timing?

4

Jamnala (Jam Nallah)

A campsite at about 2,855 m with basic huts and tents. Most groups break the climb here.

Distance
About 7 km on foot from Nohradhar
Entry
Free; camping fee 200 to 400 per tent
Timings
Open all day
Time needed
Overnight halt

MapWrong fee or timing?

5

Teesri

The last halting point before the summit, at about 3,250 m, with simple huts in open country above the forest.

Distance
About 12 km on foot from Nohradhar, 5 km beyond Jamnala
Entry
Free
Timings
Open all day
Time needed
1 hour, or overnight

MapWrong fee or timing?

6

Nohradhar

The roadhead village at about 2,175 m with a small market of about 60 shops. The trek starts with a steep stretch above the village through terraced fields.

Distance
Base area
Entry
Free
Timings
Open all day
Time needed
1-2 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

7

Rajgarh

A green valley town with pine forest, known for peach orchards. It lies on the road between Solan and Nohradhar.

Distance
On the road from Solan, about 40 km from Solan
Entry
Free
Timings
Open all day
Time needed
1-2 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

Getting there

By bus
Take a bus to Solan, then a local bus via Rajgarh to Nohradhar (about 65 to 75 km, 4 to 5 hours). The first bus leaves Solan about 5 AM. A shorter 8 km route starts at Sarain near Chopal in Shimla district. Tour operators also run organised trips with transport included from Chandigarh; see Guided trips and packages below.
By train
Solan, on the Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge line, is about 70 to 90 km from Nohradhar. Kalka and Chandigarh are the nearest broad gauge stations.
By air
Chandigarh airport is about 130 km from Nohradhar. Shimla (Jubbarhatti) is about 105 km and Dehradun is the other option.
Where to base yourself
Stay in Nohradhar village, the roadhead for the main route, and spend one night on the trail at Jamnala, Teesri or the temple rest house.

Getting around

  • There is no road beyond Nohradhar; the whole route to the peak is on foot.
  • Mules and horses work the trail; The sanctuary charges 100 per trip for each animal
  • Local buses link Nohradhar with Rajgarh and Solan; the last bus out of Nohradhar leaves about 5 PM.

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Guided trips and packages

Private trekking operators run guided Churdhar treks with road transport included, almost all starting and ending in Chandigarh; none was found starting from Delhi. Trips last 2 to 4 days and the operators name May to June and September to November as the main season. Prices found were about Rs 7,100 to Rs 11,500 per person. No government-run tour (HPTDC or similar) to Churdhar was found; the Himachal government trekking page gives information only.

OperatorTripFromLengthPrice fromIncludes
Himalayan Hikers
Private operator
Guided camping trek with transportChandigarh3 days / 2 nights₹7,500 per person
Per person, Chandigarh to Chandigarh, plus 5% GST, as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04
Transport Chandigarh to Chandigarh (pickup at Chandigarh bus stand, 6:30 am), tent stay, all meals, camping gear, guide, porters and mules, medical kit (as stated on the page)
HPTT by Planman's Group
Private operator
Package trek via Nohradhar with transportChandigarh4 days₹7,120 per person
Per person, budget tier for a group of 12 or more; Rs 11,450 per person for the premium tier with 6 or more; as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04
All transportation, stay with breakfast and dinner, sightseeing as per itinerary, taxes; other meals not included (as stated on the page)
Trekos
Private operator
Guided trek with pickup and dropChandigarh2 to 3 days₹8,499 per person
Per person, Chandigarh pickup and drop, plus 5% GST, as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04
Pickup and drop at Chandigarh; the page did not give a detailed inclusions list when checked

Checked online on 2026-10-04. A listing here is not a recommendation; we have no tie-up with these operators. Before you pay, check that the operator and its website are genuine, and confirm dates, price and what is included.

Where to stay

Budget levelTypePrice per night
BudgetSimple guesthouse in Nohradhar, or hut, tent or temple rest house on the trail₹400 to ₹1,000
Mid-rangeBetter guesthouse room in Nohradhar₹1,000 to ₹2,400
LuxuryHotel in Solan or Rajgarh on the way; nothing upscale at Churdhar itself₹2,500 to ₹4,000

Food

Nohradhar has small eateries. On the trail, huts at Jamnala and Teesri serve plain rice, vegetables, tea and snacks. The temple serves a community dinner in the evening and breakfast. There are long stretches with no shops, so carry water and snacks.

Try these

  • Rice with vegetables or dal (the standard plate at trail huts)
  • Bhandara meal (free community meal served at the temple)

Food on the trail and at the temple is vegetarian.

Daily costs

Budget levelStay per roomFood per personLocal transport
Budget₹500₹300₹0 per person
Mid-range₹1,500₹500₹0 per person
Luxury₹3,000₹800₹1,900 per vehicle

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

No advance permit is reported. The wildlife sanctuary charges a fee at Nohradhar, Sarain and Pulbahal: 100 per trekker, or 50 for visitors from outside Himachal and 20 for Himachalis visiting the temple, 200 for foreigners. Camping costs 200 to 400 per tent and a camera 50. Residents of Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan districts are exempt from the temple entry fee. Carry a photo ID.

Safety

By day
The path is well used in season, but the climb is long and steep at the start and near the top. Start early and carry water.
At night
Do not walk after dark. The forest has black bears and other animals, and travellers advise against evening starts.
Solo women
No specific reports were found. The trail is busy with pilgrims from May to June; outside that time it is better to walk with others.
Roads
The Solan-Rajgarh-Nohradhar road is a slow hill road. From December to March snow closes the trek and the temple.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)

Practical

Mobile network
Jio and Airtel work in places but the signal is unreliable on the trail.
ATMs and cash
For Nohradhar. Carry enough cash from Solan.
Fuel
Fill up in Solan.
Medical
Solan is the nearest large town.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors
Hard for most seniors: about 14 km or more each way with a climb of roughly 1,500 m. Mules are available on the trail.
Children
Not suited to small children. Some trek operators set a minimum age of 14.
Wheelchair users
Not accessible. There is no road to the temple or the peak.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

  • The peak is sacred to Shirgul Maharaj, revered by people of Sirmaur, Shimla and Solan districts. Behave as you would at any temple.
  • The temple rest house gives free shelter and a community meal; blankets are hired for a small charge. A donation is appropriate.
  • This is a wildlife sanctuary. Carry all your rubbish back down; the entry fee is meant to pay for sanitation, drinking water and waste management.
  • Local belief says Barbareek watched the Mahabharata war from this summit.

What to pack

  • Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
  • Printed copies of your permit, with a few passport-size photos
  • Thermals, a down or fleece jacket, gloves and a warm cap, even in summer
  • Sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm: the sun is harsh at altitude
  • Ask your doctor before you go about altitude sickness and what to carry for it
  • Walking shoes with a good grip, a small daypack and a refillable water bottle
  • Clothes in earthy colours, a cap and binoculars for safaris
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and socks for hot stone floors where shoes come off. Some temples do not allow phones or bags, so carry little
  • Enough cash for the whole stay, a power bank and offline maps
  • Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Churdhar

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