Hiking in Bir Billing Overview

Bir is a tiny hamlet in the west of Joginder Nagar Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Located at an altitude of 5000 ft, Bir Billing almost touches the clouds.

Travelers from all over the world do Hiking in Bir Billing to relax, meditate, and experience adventure sports. The Tibetan settlements in the area highly influence the culture of the place. Tibetan refugees are abundant in the Bir Tibetan Colony.

The monasteries have beautiful backgrounds. The lush green landscapes and the serenity of the place are fascinating. The sunsets at Bir are exceptionally beautiful.

One will be spoilt for choices as there are many amazing cafes to try out the local delicacies. The population consists of Indian agriculturalists, students, travelers, volunteers, international emigrants, and a community of Tibetans.

Hiking in Bir Billing  Height & Altitude

It is situated at an elevation of 1,525 meters, approximately 50 km (31 mi) southeast of Dharamshala at a distance of two to three hours by road.

It is 14 km south of Billing, which lies on the way to the Thamsar Pass leading to Bara Bhangal.

Bir Billing Location

Direct flights or trains are not available.

The nearest Railway Station is Ahju Railway station which is 3 km away. Pathankot is the nearest broad gauge railway station and is at a distance of 142.2 km.

The nearest airport is at Dharamshala which connects to Delhi and Kullu.

Bus and taxi services are available from Pathankot to Bir. Amritsar (260 km) and Chandigarh (290 km) Airports are also nearby.

Best time to do Hiking in Bir Billing

One can do Hiking in Bir Billing throughout the year. But the best time to visit the place depends on the kind of activities you are looking forward to.

The monsoon in this region starts from mid-July and stays till mid-September. One can hike to nearby waterfalls and river pools, but paragliding is prohibited. The region receives light to heavy rainfall and is prone to landslides.

October and November are ideal for paragliding and the weather is comfortable.

The temperature falls to sub-zero levels during winters. However, there are mainly two seasons when tourists visit – March to May and September end to November.

Activities in Bir Billing Hike

Here is a list of Hikes you that you can do in Bir

 Hike to Maheshwari Mata Temple

• Morning time – one can head to Ahju by Jeep. Trek start from Ahju village to Maheshwari Mata temple. It is a one-hour trek.
  It is a beginner-level hike with a very well-laid-out path. Guides are not needed.
• There are quite a few dhabas on the main road at the start of the trail. Worth a visit.

Hike to Hidden Waterfall

• Not known to just about anyone, this waterfall may be a literal hideout within the middle of the jungle. Hike for 20 minutes through a trail of small freshwater pools, tangled bushes, and chirping birds to succeed in the falls.
• If you walk for 200 m alongside the waterfall, you’ll encounter another waterfall gushing down at your feet. This one’s even as unexplored, as you’ll have guessed.

Traditional lunch

• Two back to back hikes involve a rewarding lunch. Enjoy Himachali traditional thali that the locals wear festive occasions.
• The meal includes several mouth-watering curries, pulses, chutneys, rotis, and rice.

 Baijnath Mandir

•   Another popular excursion from Bir, at a distance of 13 km, is the Baijnath Temple which is a Nagara-style Hindu temple, constructed in 1204 A.D. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a Shiva Lingam secured inside the temple.
• There are many inscriptions and wall carvings both inside and outside of the temple which is quite fascinating to watch. The inscriptions are written using Sharada script and local Pahadi, Takri script and offers details about the construction of this temple.
• You can also take a local bus from Bir to reach the Baijnath Mandir and then spend some time here.

Deer Park Institute 

• One of the most famous institutes for the study of Indian classical wisdom is the Deer Park Institute. The location of the Institute is Bir Colony in Himachal Pradesh. It organizes sessions related to meditation, healing arts, philosophy, yoga, art, culture, and Buddhism.
• These teaching lessons can last from days to months. This educational centre has a pagoda-style structure and reflects Tibetan culture.
• Various paintings and carvings related to Buddhism cover the walls. The visit to Bir remains incomplete without covering this place. Tourists enjoy the retreats as it is a relaxation activity.

Bir Sunset-landing point

• Bir Landing site is also popularly known as Sunset point. Situated at a distance of 600-700 m from the Tibetan Colony market, this place is a picnic spot where both tourists and locals gather in the evening to watch a mesmerizing sunset.
• Since this is the paragliding landing site, you will witness many paragliders here throughout the day. There are also a few cafes and restaurants here where you can eat and enjoy the mountain view while watching the sunset. The best thing is that it is completely free of cost.

Things To Carry For Hiking in Bir Billing

Backpack 10/20 L

• With fully adjustable suspension system, external straps and loops and easy to open compartments access.

A bottle of water

• A reusable water bottle/hydration flask – 1.5-2L easy to fit in your backpack side pocket.

Snacks

• Carbohydrates and protien rich,healthy and easy to consume snacks – Gud Chana, Fresh and dried fruits, Energy bars, etc

Weather Appropriate Clothing

• Warm and waterproof clothing for winters, wind and waterproof jackets for monsoon, breathable clothing for summers.

Warm Jacket

• Fleece/padded jacket to keep you warm.

A hat and sunglasses

• A broad brim, waterproof and sun protective hat and sunglasses with light colored lenses for great contrast and visibility in shades.

Skin Cream

• Sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, reapply after every 2 hours.

Rain Jacket

• With adjustable storm hoods, pickets placed high above the packs hip belt and durable face fabrics

Hiking Shoes

• With deep grooves for good grip, flexible sole, good ankle support, snug fit, water-resistance and are easy to wear/remove.

Extra Socks

• The ideal length crew above the ankle fits well and fends off blisters.

Towel

• Lightweight – cotton/bamboo/linen/microfiber easy to dry.

Also, Visit Near By Adventure Activities

Paragliding,Camping,Trekking in Bir Billing