Serolsar Lake

What it is

A small, round, forest-ringed lake on the ridge east of Jalori Pass, about 3,100 m up, with the Budhi Nagin temple on its bank. The water is kept clean, the story goes, by birds that lift every fallen leaf; whether or not that is why, it is clear. It is the valley's classic walk — long, easy and high — and the reason most people drive up to the pass.

Getting there

By road to Jalori Pass, 21 km and 40 minutes from Banjar, a taxi typically ₹1,500–2,500 one way as of September 2026, waiting at the top. Then on foot: about 5 km along the ridge path through oak and fir, 103 minutes up and 71 down by our measure, with no water and no shop on the way. Shoes, a layer for the top, and a start before nine.

The day

The lake at the end of the path, the temple on its bank, the walk round the shore, lunch on the grass, and the same path back to the dhabas at the pass. At first light in October — the October–November plan starts in the dark for it — the water is glass and the oaks are turning.

When to go

April to June and September to November; October for the colour and the still water. The path holds snow into April and again from December, when the pass road itself shuts in spells; the monsoon makes the ridge cloud and mud. Never in a storm — the ridge is exposed.

Around it

Raghupur Fort, the pass's other walk, an hour up to the west. Shoja, the nearest bed, half an hour below the pass. Jibhi below that.

Plans that include this

All 7 plans that stop here →

2 nights · 3 days · First visitClassic

Three days in the Tirthan valley — the river, Jalori Pass and Serolsar lake, then Chehni Kothi and Jibhi

The classic three days in the Tirthan valley: the river at Gushaini, Jalori Pass and the ridge walk to Serolsar lake, Chehni Kothi and Jibhi on the way out.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · FriendsAdventure

The Tirthan valley's activities in three days — the park's ecozone on a permit, a rod on the river, a night under canvas at Jalori, and the fort at dawn

Three days of everything the Tirthan offers on foot: the park's ecozone on a permit, a rod on the river, Serolsar lake, a tent at Jalori, the fort at dawn.

Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct

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2 nights · 3 days · PhotographersAutumn

Jalori Pass in October and November — Shoja as the base, Serolsar at dawn, Raghupur at sunrise, and Bahu lake on the way down

The Jalori ridge in its clearest months: Shoja as the base, the ridge walk to Serolsar lake at sunrise, Raghupur Fort at first light, Bahu lake on the road.

Best Oct–Nov

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3 nights · 4 days · FriendsClassic

Jibhi with friends — four days: the waterfall, both Jalori walks with a night at Shoja, then the river and the Chhoie fall

Four days in the Tirthan valley for a group: Jibhi's waterfall, Raghupur Fort and Serolsar lake from Jalori Pass with a night at Shoja, then the river.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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4 nights · 5 days · First visitMulti-hub

The Tirthan valley and Manali in five days — the river and Jalori first, then the left-bank road to Naggar, Solang and Hadimba

starts in Banjar

Five days across two valleys: the Tirthan at Gushaini, Jalori Pass and Serolsar lake, the left-bank road through Naggar, then Solang, Vashisht and Hadimba.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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6 nights · 7 days · Soloslow

A slow week in the Tirthan valley alone — one homestay at Gushaini, one walk a day, and the pass once

Six nights in one homestay at Gushaini: the river path, the Chhoie waterfall, Pekhri and Sharchi on foot, one taxi day to Jalori and Serolsar, Jibhi last.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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