Manali Sanctuary

What it is

The forest above the town, protected as a wildlife sanctuary: old deodar and fir rising from the edge of Old Manali to alpine slopes below the ridge. Bear, musk deer and monal live on the high ground; a shaded path runs through the big trees on the low. It begins a minute from the bus stand, and it is the easiest good walk in Manali — an hour among trees that were old when the Hadimba temple was built from their neighbours.

Getting there

The gate is near the Hadimba temple and Old Manali, about a minute from the bus stand by road and a short walk up from either. A small entry fee at the gate. No transport is needed; this is the walk you do from your guesthouse.

The walk

A steady, shaded path climbs from the gate through deodar for the first hour, with no exposure and places to turn round at any point — suitable for children and anyone who does not want a climb. Beyond that hour it steepens into a forest track and becomes a proper hill walk for those who want the morning. Mornings are quiet and cool; the forest stays cool even in June.

When to go

Any month. Spring and autumn are dry underfoot; the monsoon is green and dripping; winter puts snow under the trees and closes the upper track. Sightings of the large animals are rare on the lower path and not the point; the birds are.

Rules

Stay on the path, take rubbish out, no fires. Camping inside the sanctuary needs a permit from the forest department. The camping guide has where you can camp instead, and the treks page has the longer walks that leave from the same slopes.

Plans that include this

All 9 plans that stop here →

1 night · 2 days · Slow travelCafés & food

Old Manali — two days of cafés, lanes and one forest walk

Two days in Old Manali without a car: long breakfasts on the lane, the Manu temple, the riverside lawns, the forest walk, the Hadimba grove and the hot springs.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · CouplesSnow

Manali in the snow — December and January in three days

Three winter days in Manali: a slow cold town, the hot springs at Vashisht, and the snow day through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu while Rohtang is shut.

Best Jan–Feb · Dec

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2 nights · 3 days · Slow travelMonsoon

Manali in the monsoon — three slow, green days

Manali in July and August: the forest path, the museum, Naggar Castle under a roof, the hot springs and Old Manali — three green days that need no high road.

Best Jul–Sep

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2 nights · 3 days · TrekkersWalks & treks

Manali day hikes — three days on foot, home every night

Three days of walking from Manali with a bed every night: Jogini Falls from Vashisht, the Anjani Mahadev climb and the sanctuary forest, then a temple walk.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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3 nights · 4 days · FamilyClassic

Manali with kids — four easy days

Four easy days in Manali with children: a river park and the temple grove, Solang's meadow, snow through the tunnel to Sissu with no altitude, and the forest.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec

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3 nights · 4 days · SoloClassic

Manali solo on a budget — four days on foot and by local bus

A four-day Manali plan with no taxi: the town on foot, free hot springs and a waterfall walk from Vashisht, Naggar Castle by local bus, and the forest.

Best Mar–May · Sep–Nov

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