“Where the goddess rests in water, and every step echoes with legend.”
📖 Overview
The Renuka Lake Nature Walk is a 4.3 km circular trail that loops around the sacred Renuka Lake (672 m / 2,205 ft) in Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Revered as the embodiment of Goddess Renuka, mother of Lord Parshuram, the lake is both a pilgrimage site and a biodiversity hotspot. The trail winds through dense sal and pine forests, temple complexes, and wildlife enclosures, offering a tranquil blend of mythology, ecology, and reflection.
🧭 Trail Profile
Attribute
Details
Trailhead
Renuka Ji Temple Complex
Loop Distance
~4.3 km
Elevation Gain
~74 m
Duration
1–1.5 hours
Grade
Easy
Best Season
October–April
Permit Required
No (entry fee for sanctuary applies)
🌄 Trail Highlights
Renuka Lake: A sacred waterbody believed to be the transformed form of Goddess Renuka. The lake’s mirror-like surface reflects the surrounding hills and temples.
Floating Temple & Parshuram Shrine: Visit the Renuka Ji Temple and Parshuram Temple, where devotees offer prayers and perform rituals.
Wildlife Sanctuary Views: Spot sambar deer, barking deer, nilgai, and leopards in the adjacent Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary—a Ramsar site with rich biodiversity.
Birdwatching Paradise: Look out for blue jays, drongos, bulbuls, and scarlet minivets along the lakeside canopy.
Sunrise & Sunset Reflections: The lake is especially magical during golden hour, when the water glows and the hills blush with light.
🛕 Spiritual & Cultural Significance
Goddess Renuka & Lord Parshuram: According to legend, Renuka transformed into the lake after her penance, and Parshuram, her son (6th avatar of Vishnu), visits annually to bathe in its waters.
Annual Fair (Renuka Mela): Held in November, this vibrant festival features folk dances, ritual processions, and devotional music.
Sacred Geography: The lake is considered a tirtha, and pilgrims often walk the loop barefoot in reverence.
🧳 Essentials for Walkers
Item
Notes
Footwear
Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
Clothing
Light layers; mornings and evenings are cool
Gear
Water bottle, sun hat, binoculars
Food
Local stalls offer snacks and prasad
Safety
Trail is paved and family-friendly; monkeys may be curious but not aggressive
🧭 How to Reach
By Road:
Nahan ➝ Renuka Ji: ~38 km
Chandigarh ➝ Renuka Ji: ~130 km (3 hrs)
Buses and taxis available from Nahan, Paonta Sahib, and Dehradun
By Train: Nearest railhead: Kalka or Ambala
By Air: Chandigarh Airport: ~130 km Dehradun Airport (Jolly Grant): ~100 km
🏞️ Add-On Experiences
Suketi Fossil Park: India’s first fossil park, just 8 km away—showcasing prehistoric animal fossils from the Shiwalik range.
Boating on Renuka Lake: Paddle boats available for a tranquil glide across sacred waters.
Forest Rest Houses & HPTDC Stay: Stay at The Renuka (HPTDC) for lakeside views and colonial charm.
