Chandi Devi Sal-Forest Pilgrim Trek (Neel Parvat)
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · nature walk
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
The Chandi Devi Sal-Forest Pilgrim Trek is the traditional walking approach to one of Haridwar's most revered hilltop shrines — a roughly three-kilometre path that climbs from Chandighat, on the eastern side of the Ganga canal, up the wooded flank of Neel Parvat (the "Blue Mountain") to the Chandi Devi temple at about 884 metres. Long before the ropeway existed, every pilgrim reached the shrine this way: on foot, up a long stone stairway that switchbacks through the dense sal (Shorea robusta) forest of the Shivalik foothills. The trek, not the shrine, is the subject here — the climb itself, the forest it passes through, and the sweeping views of Haridwar, the Ganga, and the plains that open up as you gain height.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Mohan Ji Puri Wale (Bara Bazaar, near Har ki Pauri) — long-standing pure-vegetarian counter famed for hot puri-sabzi and kachori; ideal for refuelling after the descent. Confirm timings locally.
- ✦Mathura Walon Ki Pracheen Dukan (Upper Road, near Har ki Pauri) — historic pure-vegetarian sweets-and-thali institution serving Rajasthani-style meals and mithai. Verify current hours on the day.
- ✦Pure-vegetarian thali houses and bhojanalayas around Bara Bazaar and the Har ki Pauri lanes — dependable North Indian thalis, paneer sabzis and snacks for a family meal; confirm the specific outlet and timings on arrival.
- ✦Chandighat / Ganga-side stalls near the trailhead — simple pure-vegetarian tea, chai, fruit and packaged snacks; the whole city is vegetarian and alcohol-free by custom, so choices are safe but basic — hedge on hygiene and pick busy stalls.
About
The Chandi Devi Sal-Forest Pilgrim Trek is the traditional walking approach to one of Haridwar's most revered hilltop shrines — a roughly three-kilometre path that climbs from Chandighat, on the eastern side of the Ganga canal, up the wooded flank of Neel Parvat (the "Blue Mountain") to the Chandi Devi temple at about 884 metres.
- Long before the ropeway existed, every pilgrim reached the shrine this way: on foot, up a long stone stairway that switchbacks through the dense sal (Shorea robusta) forest of the Shivalik foothills.
- The trek, not the shrine, is the subject here — the climb itself, the forest it passes through, and the sweeping views of Haridwar, the Ganga, and the plains that open up as you gain height.
- Neel Parvat sits on the edge of the Rajaji forest belt, and the trail is genuinely a woodland walk.
- Tall sal trees, the signature timber species of the lower Himalaya, form a shaded canopy for much of the ascent, broken by clearings where the whole holy city and the silver thread of the river spread out below.
- The stairway is well-worn stone, paved and railed in stretches, and the total climb is locally reckoned in the many hundreds — some accounts say well over a thousand steps; the exact count is best confirmed on the day.
- Rhesus macaques are a constant presence along the route: keep food and shiny objects zipped away, do not feed or tease them, and give mothers with infants a wide berth.
- The temple at the top dates in its present form to 1929, built by Suchat Singh of Kashmir, though the presiding image is traditionally said to have been consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya in the eighth century.
- As a devotional trail it is busiest during Navratri and Chandi Chaudas, when pilgrims climb in a steady stream.
- Start at first light: the forest is cool and birdsong-filled at dawn, the steps are quieter, and you beat both the heat and the crowds.
- Allow ninety minutes up at an unhurried pace, and carry your own water — there are only intermittent stalls on the path.
- Haridwar is a wholly vegetarian and alcohol-free city by long custom, so food around Chandighat and the nearby Har ki Pauri is reliably pure-vegetarian: expect simple satvik thalis, hot puri-sabzi, kachori, and generous helpings of Ganga-side mithai to refuel after the descent.
- Pair the trek with the Mansa Devi hill opposite for the classic Haridwar "two-shrine" pilgrimage on foot.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Chandighat trailhead to Neel Parvat summit, off Najibabad Road, east bank of the Ganga canal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
How to Reach: The trailhead is at Chandighat, on the east bank of the Ganga canal off Najibabad Road, about 4 km from Har ki Pauri. From Har ki Pauri or Haridwar Junction railway station, an auto-rickshaw or shared vic to Chandighat / the Chandi Devi base costs roughly ₹60–120 (10–20 minutes); from there the ~3 km stone stairway is walked on foot. Those who cannot manage the climb can instead take the Chandi Devi ropeway (Udankhatola) from the base station, but the traditional experience is the forest trek up and down.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Chandi Devi trek and how many steps are there?
The traditional trail runs about 3 km from the Chandighat base up Neel Parvat to the Chandi Devi shrine at roughly 884 metres. It is a paved stone stairway through sal forest with a long flight of steps — locally reckoned in the many hundreds, with some accounts putting it well over a thousand. At an unhurried pace allow around 90 minutes up and a little less coming down; confirm the exact step count and current path condition locally.
Is there an entry fee for the Chandi Devi trek?
No — walking the forest trail and entering the hilltop shrine are free. There is no ticket to trek up. Only the optional ropeway (Chandi Devi Udankhatola) charges a fare if you choose to ride instead of walk. Small donations at the temple are voluntary.
How do I reach the trailhead at Chandighat?
The base is at Chandighat on the east bank of the Ganga canal, off Najibabad Road, about 4 km from Har ki Pauri. From Har ki Pauri or Haridwar Junction railway station, an auto-rickshaw or shared vehicle to the Chandi Devi base costs roughly ₹60–120 and takes 10–20 minutes. From the base, the ~3 km stone stairway is climbed on foot. There is no metro in Haridwar.
Is the trek safe, and what should I watch out for?
It is a popular, well-used pilgrim path, but it is a real forest climb. The main nuisance is rhesus macaques along the route — keep food, water bottles and shiny items zipped away, never feed or tease them, and avoid eye contact with large males. Wear proper walking shoes, carry your own water, start at dawn to avoid heat and afternoon crowds, and be off the forest path before dusk. Those with knee or heart trouble may prefer the ropeway.
What is the best time of year and day to do the trek?
October to March gives the coolest, clearest weather and the best plains-and-Ganga views from the top. Whatever the season, start at first light: the sal forest is cool and quiet at dawn, the steps are less crowded, and monkey activity is calmer. Navratri (spring and autumn) is the most devotional period but brings large crowds of pilgrims climbing together.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the Chandi Devi trek?
Haridwar is an entirely vegetarian and alcohol-free city, so everything around Chandighat and Har ki Pauri is pure-vegetarian. After the descent, Mohan Ji Puri Wale near Bara Bazaar is a local favourite for puri-sabzi and kachori, Mathura Walon Ki Pracheen Dukan on Upper Road is a historic sweets-and-thali stop, and pure-vegetarian thali houses and bhojanalayas around Bara Bazaar and the Har ki Pauri lanes serve dependable North Indian thalis. Simple chai and fruit stalls sit near the trailhead itself.
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