Overview

The Pir Panjal Range is a group of mountains, peaks, passes in the inner Himalayan region, running from southeast to northwest across the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir where the average elevation varies from 1,400 m (4,600 ft) to 6,221 m (20,410 ft). Pir Panjal is the largest range of the lower Himalayas. Near the bank of the Satluj river, it dissociates itself from the Himalayas and forms a divide between the rivers Beas and Ravi on one side and the Chenab on the other. On the eastern side of Pir Panjal range is famous Rohtang pass at 3,978 meters (13,051 ft) which connects two districts of Himachal Pradesh namely Kullu & Lahaul and Spiti. This pass is a gateway for the people of Lahaul Valley who wants to go to Kullu or other parts of Himachal. These people have to cross this dangerous pass in winters to reach Manali, Kullu district by doing difficult trekking in snow packed trails and by facing those treacherous thunderstorms which usually show up at such a height. Easternmost and highest point of this range is Mt. Indrasan {6,221 m (20,410 ft)} which is located in Manali, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Highest Pass in Pir Panjal range is Kugti Pass {5,050 m (16,568 ft)} which connects Bharmour area of Chamba to Lahaul Valley of Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh.

 

Peaks in Pir Panjal range

It comprises of many important peaks of the Himalayas like Manimahesh Kailash Peak {5,656 m (18,556 ft)}, Mt. Deo Tibba, Mt. Indrasan, Ganga Choti, and Pir Kanthi. Pir Panjal range is blessed with many high elevation peaks. Most high elevation peaks are located on the easternmost range of Pir Panjal. Mt. Deo Tibba {6,001 m (19,688 ft)} and Mt. Indrasan {6,221 m (20,410 ft)} are two important and highest peaks at the eastern end of the mountain range. They can be approached from both the Parvati-Beas Valley (Kullu district) and the Chandra (upper Chenab) Valley (Lahaul and Spiti district) in Himachal Pradesh. Mt. Indrasan is the highest peak of Pir Panjal range and is called “The Aasan of Indra” means the Throne of Rain God – The Indra.

  • Hanuman Tibba, is a stunning pyramid peak rising at an elevation of 5,860 meters (19,225 ft). This imposing peak is perched on the Pir Panjal Range above the Solang Valley in the North of Manali (Kullu district). The trek is highly popular among the hikers.
  • Friendship Peak {5,289 m (17,352 ft)} is located in the Pir Panjal range in Manali, Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh is a trekker's paradise. The Friendship Peak trek is one of the most challenging treks in Himachal.
  • Mount Shitidhar Peak {5,250 m (17,224 ft)}, the snow-covered imposing peak is located in the beautiful Solang Valley of Manali, Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. Shiti means White and Dhar meaning Peak. The climb to this peak offers spectacular views of Hanuman Tibba (5984 m) just to the west and far to the east are Indrasan (6221 m), and Deo Tibba (6001 m).
  • Mount Ladakhi Peak {5,345 m (17,536 ft)} is a snow-clad peak perched in Pir Panjal range at Manali, Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh.
  • Mukar Beh {6,068 m (19,910 ft)} is a high elevation peak located in Solang Valley of Manali, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Until 1968, Mukar Beh was the highest unclimbed peak in Kullu valley, a mountain of great beauty and surprising difficulty which had repulsed several previous attempts of varying strength.
  • Bara Kanda Peak {5,860 m (19,225 ft)} is a towering peak. This massive snow clad mountain is located at Bharmour in Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh.
  • Apharwat Peak {4,390 m (14,402 ft)} is located in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Sunset Peak {4,745 m (15,567 ft)} also known as Romesh Thong is located in Shopian district of J&K.
  • Tatakooti Peak or Tatakuti {4,725 m (15,502 ft)} is located in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Trekking destinations of Pir Panjal Range

  • Bhrigu Lake {4,300 m(14,107 ft)} trek is a beautiful trek through meadows and forests near Rohtang Pass. It is located to the east of Rohtang Pass and is around 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) from Gulaba village, Manali, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. It is named after Maharishi Bhrigu. Legend has it that the sage used to meditate near the lake and hence it has been rendered sacred. The locals believe that due to this, the lake never freezes completely. This lake is held sacred to the sage, Bhrigu Rishi, a great saint of Indian history.

  • Manimahesh Lake {4,080 m (13,390 ft)} is a high altitude lake situated close to the Manimahesh Kailash Peak {5,656 m (18,556 ft)} in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The word Manimahesh means a Jewel or Mani and Mahesh refers to Lord Shiva. This lake is considered as one of the sacred lakes in the Indian Himalayan region.

  • Beas Kund {3,700 m(12,139 ft)} is one of the most popular treks that one can do in a long weekend in Manali, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.The trek to Beas Kund is one of the most beautiful short treks in Himachal Pradesh. From Solang Nallah, the route winds through the famous Solang Valley. Beas Kund is the source of Beas River.

Passes in Pir Panjal Range

  • Hampta Pass {4,270 m (14,009 ft)} lies in the easternmost range of Pir Panjal, located in Manali, Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It connects Manali with Lahaul and Spiti district.
  • Rohtang La or Rohtang Pass {3,978 m (13,051 ft)} is a mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal range connecting Manali in the Kullu Valley to Keylong in the Lahaul Valley.
    (The Rohtang Tunnel is being built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway. With 8.8 km (5.5 mi) length, the tunnel will be the longest road tunnel in India and is expected to reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by about 60 km (37 mi). The tunnel is at 3,100 metres (10,171 ft) elevation whereas the Rohtang pass is at 3,978 metres (13,051 ft) elevation. Lying on the Manali-Leh axis, this is one of the two routes to Ladakh.)
  • Kugti Pass {5,050 m (16,568 ft)} in Bharmour area of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh is the highest altitude pass in the Pir- Panjal range. It is an interesting and adventurous trek of 5-6 days. It connects Bharmour area of Chamba to Lahaul Valley of Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh.
  • Kalicho Pass {4,980 m (16,338 ft)} is a pass in Pir Panjal range of Himachal Pradesh which connects Bharmour, Chamba to Lahaul valley of Lahaul and Spiti district. This pass is referred to as one of the most difficult treks to reach Lahaul Valley. It is named after the local goddess Bhadrakali. This transit is commonly used by Gaddi shepherds to reach Lahaul valley from Bharmour.
  • Chobia Pass {4,966 m(16,292 ft)} is the high altitude pass in the Pir Panjal range in Himachal Pradesh which connects Bharmour, Chamba to Triloknath Temple in Udaipur village of  Lahaul Valley of Lahaul Spiti district.
  • Drati Pass {4,700 m (15,420 ft)} connects the Churah Valley of Chamba district to the Tindi Valley of Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh. Its one of the best treks in the Pir Panjal mountain range.
  • Tentu Pass {4,745 m(15,567 ft)} is located in Solang Valley in Manali, Kullu. In order to scale Mt. Hanuman Tibba this pass is needed to be crossed.
  • The Pir Panjal Pass lies to the west of Srinagar.
  • The Banihal Pass {2,832 m (9,291 ft)} lies at the head of the Vitasta river at the southern end of the Kashmir valley. Banihal and Qazigund lie on either side of the pass.
  • The Sinthan Pass {3,794 m (12,450 ft)} connects Jammu and Kashmir with Kishtwar.
  • Pir ki Gali connects Kashmir valley with Rajouri and Poonch via Mughal road. Pir ki Gali is the highest point of Mughal road (11500 ft app.) and lies to the south west of the Kashmir valley. Nearest town to Pir Ki Gali is Shupian, the apple town of Kashmir valley.
  • Haji Pir Pass {2,637 m (8,652 ft)} on the western Pir Panjal range on the road between Poonch and Uri is in the area of Kashmir administered by Pakistan.