Day hikes around the Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park is not reachable by road. So you need to walk to reach the Park's gate. Actually it is a nice hike which starts from Gushaini. You go back via the same way.
The trail to the Park Gate goes smoothly along with the Tirthan river, crossing a few villages and some beautiful forests. This hike is a good choice for those who want to approach the Park in only one day. At the gate, the Tirthan river and its environment are fascinating.
There is no steep slopes on the way and so it is accessible to anyone with an average fitness. The difference of altitude between Gushaini and the Park's gate is only 430 metres. It takes approximately 3 hours to go to the gate and 2 hours to come back.
You can have your (packed) lunch at the Park Gate where there is a very peaceful campsite beside the river.

Your day starts with an awesome jeep safari to Jalori pass (3130m) via a spectacular road winding through lush forests of Himalayan Cedars and Golden Oaks.
From Jalori pass you have a choice !
Either you walk eastward to reach the Serolsar lake, or westwards to climb to the ruins of the Raghupur fort. The return trip to the lake will take about 4 to 5 hours. Whereas a return trip to the ruins will take only 2 or 3 hours.
So which side will you go ?
The hike to the lake is very easy (despite the altitude). The trail is quite comfortable and there is no steep slope to climb. You walk mostly under the trees and the views are towards the lower Himalayas Shimla) in the South.
The hike to Raghupur is shorter but steeper and offers dramatic views of the Himalayan range. Raghupur lies on a very scenic meadow. It is no more a fort but long piles of stones with a small charming temple on the way.
Another option from Jalori is to climb to a nearby meadow which offer a similar view than Raghupur. You can go there, spend a little time to enjoy the landscape, and come back within one hour.

This hike is accessible to most of the people and gives you, in a half or a full day, a great experience of the Western Himalayas, in a place untouched by tourism. The trail delves you into lush forest, terrassed fields and exposes you to the traditional lifestyle of the Himachali.
The first step, Myagi, is a spectacular viewpoint to the Great Himalayan National Park. Then, Chehani, the village where stands Himachal Pradesh’s tallest temple. The villagers are God Fearing people, mostly occupied in servicing the local Devta—Shri Shringa Rishi whose the temple is accessible on this hike. The history of the Devta can be gathered from the pujari.
The area is also an excellent choice for those who wish to observe many Himalayan birds.