The second best viewpoint in Mcleodganj
Mcleodganj plays its cards close to its chest and yet, our exploration and persistence paid off this summer. We discovered two spots which have the best view of the city, Kangra hills and the Dhauladhars. These are spots no-one will tell you about, yet they are a must-visit if you’re in the neighbourhood.
The first of these viewpoints is the sunset viewpoint, located a few hundred metres from Gallu Devi temple in Dharamkot. This secluded nook is the second-best place to watch the sunset over the city and the Dhauladhars. What is the best place, you may wonder? For that, you will have to wait until [next Friday]({% post_url 2016-05-20-The-Best-Viewpoint-In-Mcleodganj %}).
Trail Detail
The starting point is a broad tree-covered trail that starts from the car parking right opposite Rest-A-While cafe. This trail ends at a guest house that houses long-stay foreigners. Nevertheless, we need not walk all the way. This broad trail is parallel to the road that connects the Gallu temple with Dharamkot. 300 metres from the starting point the trail bifurcates and there are a series of concrete steps leading up the ridge on your right. Climb these steps for the next 100 metres to the top of a knoll that houses a roofless Durga Mata temple. Someone has placed a “No Parking” sign just where the stairs end.
I could not help but share a chuckle at this illogical yet funny traffic sign in the middle of nowhere. The roofless temple resembles the [Shikari Mata Temple near Janjehli]({% post_url 2015-03-27-Janjehli-To-Shikari-Mata-Temple-Winter-Trek %}) that I visited last winter. The view from this roofless temple is unparalleled as it overlooks Dharamkot and Gallu temple.
Gallu Temple with its proliferation of Guest Houses, backed by its protective hillock. Two trails are visible. the one on the right leads to Triund and the one on the left leads to Waterfall Cafe .
From the temple another higher knoll with fluttering Tibetan prayer flags is visible. We recommend climbing the 200-metre to the flags because the Dhauladhars look spectacular from this knoll.
Caution
The slope from the roofless Durga temple to the prayer flags is shale covered and slippery. Mind your step.
Essential Gear
- Camera and all the lenses you can carry.
