Want to Feel the Charm of the Himalayas? Don’t Miss the Landour Sunrise Walk
Duration: 1.5 to 2 Hours | Difficulty – Easy | Distance 4 to 5 km | Best Time to Start 5:30 am in Summers, 6:30 am in Winters
Attractions: Prestigious sunrise | Views of the mighty Garhwal Himalayas | Winter line | Shivalik Hills and the Doon Valley | Deodar forests | Bird songs
About the Walk:
Landour Sunrise Walk is one of the most beautiful sights to witness when you are in Mussoorie. This walk is also known as the Chakkar Walk or Infinity Walk. This motorable circle around Landour, nestled at an elevation of around 7200 ft (2200 m) above sea level, makes it one of the best places to witness the sunrise and the Himalayas around Mussoorie. This road forms a figure-eight over Laltibba and Sister’s Bazaar, which is why it’s also called the Infinity Walk. The path takes you through a beautiful deodar forest, offering outstanding views of the Garhwal Himalaya’s peaks like Swargrohini, Bandar-punch, Kala-Nagh, Shrikantha, Bhagirathi Group, Thalay Sager, Kadar-Nath, Chaukhambha Group, etc. From the northern side, while the southern side overlooks the vast Doon Valley and Mussoorie town.
How to Reach:
The starting point of the Landour Sunrise Walk is 5 km from Mussoorie Mall Road, called Char-Dukan. Driving up to Char Dukan is a steep and narrow road passing through the streets of Landour Bazaar, making it a little tricky to drive. For a convenient and hassle-free travel experience, it’s better to hire a local cab or driver if you are not comfortable driving on narrow roads in the hills. However, in the morning, there is almost no traffic. When driving back from Landour, it’s best to take the bypass road via Woodstock School (Old Tehri Road).
How to Do It:
The walk begins at the Language School (Kellogg Memorial Church), near Rokeby Manor, which is situated at the centre of the figure-eight. From this point, head towards Sister’s Bazaar from the southeast side, taking a left. You will witness the sunrise after 400 meters of walking, 200 meters before reaching Sister’s Bazaar. From this point, you’ll see the crimson sun rising over the foothills of the lower Himalayas towards the southeast side. Please note that during the summers, you’ll see the sunrise from a little further next to Landour Bakehouse towards the Himalayas on the northeast side as it comes up from behind Mt. Kedarnath peak, part of the Garhwal Himalayas. Once you experience the sunrise, you can start walking towards the Language School (Kellogg Church) point following the northern side of the loop. Once you’re back to the point, take a right to continue to another loop from the northern side of the infinity walk. That part will be another 2 km walk to reach Char-Dukan via Cemetery and Laltibba, slightly longer but more scenic. The north section of the infinity walk is mostly forested, and you will be able to spot some resident birds among the trees. (Detailed information about the local flora and bird species can be provided if you are doing this with a guide.) Along the way, you’ll pass by the historic Landour Cemetery and Lal Tibba, another excellent vantage point for viewing the majestic Garhwal Himalayas. The visibility will depend on the time of year; however, winter offers the best views, while summers tend to be a bit hazy. But if there is a clear sky, even if it’s not clear, you can still enjoy the walks as it’ll be so peaceful with lots of birds chirping from the valley, and you are surrounded by a beautiful landscape.
Conclusion:
The Landour Sunrise Walk concludes at Char Dukan, a popular café spot in Landour, where you have various options for breakfast while enjoying the charm of Landour. One of the best places is “Cafe the Landour” as they have a great sitting area with spectators, forest, and valley views. After breakfast, you can go for another venture.
Things to Carry:
Prepare for the walk by ensuring you have the essentials for a comfortable and safe journey: Hiking Boots (or Trail Running Shoes) | Full Sleeves Clothing and a Warm Jacket | 1-2 Liters of Water per Person | Sunglasses & Sun-cap Optional Items: Hiking Poles | Binoculars | Camera | Some snacks
Guided Sunrise Walk:
Every walk is a great walk with a guide. If you are a nature enthusiast and want to learn about local flora and fauna along with the history of the region, you must go for a guided walk. If you wish to do a guided sunrise walk, our expert naturalist can take you for the walk. Feel free to write an email at info@fromhimalay.com or call +91 7900872332 to book your slot.
Click here to know about the sunset walk
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