Gallu Waterfall Trek, Himachal: Enigmatic Trails to Emerald Pools

 

During our recent workcation in Himachal Pradesh, we sought out experiences off the beaten path, away from the typical tourist attractions. Our local hosts had previously recommended some amazing places and we turned to them again for suggestions. That’s when we came to know about Gallu Waterfall, a secluded oasis nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Dharamshala. Intrigued by the stories of Emerald Pools and pristine forest trails, we embarked on a trek that would far exceed our expectations. 

As we walked through the forest path enveloped in dappled sunlight and melodies of bird songs, we realized that this trek was much more than just reaching the destination. Rather it’s true magic lay in immersing ourselves in the beauty of the journey itself. Read on to know more about our experience of this trek.

 

Our experience of the trek

The Journey 

We started our trek from Gallu Devi temple, a little before 9am, greeted by the cool morning breeze and bird calls filling the air. A Red-billed Blue Magpie gracefully crossed our path, disappearing into the lush tree cover while a Black-headed Jay settled itself on a tree nearby. In the distance, quaint villages nestled among terraced farms adorned the hill slopes like postcards. 

As we stepped into the forest path, the bird calls became even more diverse and Rhododendrons of bright Red colour painted the otherwise Green forest with splashes of Red. Walking amidst the swaying trees and dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy, we felt transported to a magical world. It was difficult not to make stops every now and then, whether to catch sight of a bird or to revel in the leafy showers stirred by the wind. Moving further, we came across a rocky area with trees laden with small Purple flowers, attracting several Butterflies of different hues. We stood there in awe for a while watching the spectacle before moving forward. Along the trail, we found many unfamiliar shrubs adorned with delicate blooms, each adding to the beauty of the surrounding in their own unique way.

Time at the Waterfall

The waterfall itself may not be grandiose in size. But set amidst towering mountains with crystal clear water cascading into Emerald pools below, it is a soul soothing sight. Some visitors jumped into the ice cold water, some were looking around and taking photographs. Then there were 2 people who were completely immersed in their own worlds – a foreigner lady engrossed in her book in a secluded spot by the pool and Sush sitting in meditation beside the rushing water. To me, these two seemed to soak in the true essence of the place. Looking above, I noticed 2 monks relishing the views perched on a huge boulder. 

The Way Back

After spending more than 2 hours at the waterfall, we decided to come back, but not before indulging in a cup of steaming hot coffee at the café near the fall. May be it was the effect of the cool weather or the stunning views, but that coffee felt truly blissful. Read the full blog here.

For more offbeat treks, refer our other blogs here.