Churdhar Trek is the highest peak of Sirmaur district and also the tallest in the mid-range Shivalik mountains of Himachal Pradesh. The name Churdhar is derived from two words: ‘Chur’ meaning peak and ‘Dhar’ meaning ridge — together symbolising the towering heights of this outer Himalayan range. churdhar trek distance 18 km from Nohradhar
This sacred peak holds deep religious significance. Devotees come here to worship Lord Shiva and Shirgul Maharaj, a revered local deity. In this blog, I will focus primarily on the Churdhar trek. If you're interested in learning more about Shirgul Maharaj, I’ll provide a separate blog or article link for that In end of this blog.
The large statue visible in the photos is situated at the summit of the mountain — it's not the temple. The temple of Lord Shiva is located about 1–2 km below the peak.
At the temple site, you’ll find a small marketplace and dharamshala (rest house) facilities for pilgrims and trekkers. The market is modest, with around 5–10 shops. If you plan to stay overnight in the dharamshala, the room is usually free, and there's a nominal charge of just ₹10 for extra blankets.
As mentioned earlier, Churdhar is the highest peak in the Sirmaur district, rising to an impressive 11,965 feet above sea level. The site is steeped in mythological legends and spiritual significance, attracting devotees, nature lovers, and adventure seekers alike.
The Churdhar trek is also part of the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to diverse flora and fauna. It’s not just a pilgrimage site but also a popular trekking destination, especially for people from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana.
People believe that Churdhar is the abode of Shirgul Maharaj, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Some versions of mythology also link this place to the Mahabharata. It is believed that Bheem, the mighty Pandava prince, came here during the war in search of Sanjivani Booti.
Another popular local legend says that the head of Shri Barbarik (also known as Shree Barbareek or Khatushyam Ji) was placed at the top of the Himalayas by Lord Krishna, so he could witness the Mahabharata war with his own eyes.
Sir George Everest, the British surveyor after whom Mount Everest is named, once used Churdhar Peak as an astronomical observation point in the 1830s. The peak offered a clear and strategic view for conducting astronomical and geodetic studies during that era.
Churdhar is not only historically significant but also ecologically rich. The Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1985 and is home to various species such as the musk deer, Himalayan black bear, monal (the state bird of Himachal Pradesh), and langurs.
The distance from Chandigarh to Nohradhar is approximately 132 km. We started our journey early in the morning at 5:00 AM, riding our bikes from Chandigarh to Panchkula, and then continued along the NH5 highway.
As soon as we entered Himachal Pradesh, the scenery transformed beautifully. The road winds through the mountains, cutting across hillsides in a display of stunning engineering — a treat for any road trip lover.
We continued on NH5 (Kalka–Shimla Highway) and took our first break at Dharampur to enjoy a quick breakfast. Refreshed, we resumed our ride and followed the same highway for a few more kilometres. After about 4–5 km, we turned onto Durga Public School Road, leaving NH5 behind. From there, we followed the right route and finally reached Nohradhar.
Nohradhar is the starting point for trekking to Churdhar. The distance from Nohradhar to Churdhar is approximately 16–18 km one way. Nohradhar is not a commercial hill station, but a beautiful offbeat destination beloved by trekkers, nature lovers, and especially by those who don’t want to visit crowded places like Shimla.
Nohradhar (also spelt Noradhar) is located approximately 110–115 km from Shimla and around 66 km from Solan.
Coordinates: ~30°48′39″ N, 77°25′11″ E. It is situated at an altitude of about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level. It is a large market area where you can purchase all the essential items needed for the Churdhar trek.
We started our trek around 2 PM. The temperature at that time was about 20–23°C. After trekking for 5–6 km, we reached the dense forests of Devdwar, where we left the noise of vehicles far behind...
After spending a very good night at the Dharamshala, I took a bath in the morning and went to the Shirgul Maharaj Temple. From there, Churdhar Peak is just 1–2 km away, but it takes more than 30 minutes to reach. It is the toughest part of the trek...
If you're planning your journey from Chandigarh to Churdhar or Nohradhar and need reliable transport, you can book a comfortable and hassle-free taxi service through sawaaritaxi.com. Their professional drivers and clean vehicles ensure a smooth ride to the base of your trek.
To learn more about the Shirgul Maharaj Temple, click here to read the full article.