Manikoot Parvat Forest Trek to Neelkanth
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · nature walk
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
The Manikoot Parvat forest trek is the old pilgrim foot-trail that links the ashram belt of Rishikesh with the hill shrine of Neelkanth Mahadev, climbing roughly 12 to 14 kilometres from the east bank of the Ganga at Swarg Ashram to a saddle at about 1,330 metres. It is the walking alternative to the winding 32-kilometre motor road, and for centuries it was the only way pilgrims reached Neelkanth. The name of the mountain carries the story that draws people here: in the churning-of-the-ocean legend, Shiva drank the halahala poison to save creation, and Parvati stayed his throat so the venom lodged there and turned it blue — Neelkanth, the 'blue-throated one.' The peak of Manikoot, flanked by the ridges traditionally named Brahmakoot and Vishnukoot, is remembered as the place of that act, which is why the forest above Swarg Ashram is walked as much in devotion as for exercise.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Chotiwala, Swarg Ashram – long-running pure-vegetarian institution near the trailhead; its classic set thali is a good pre-trek meal.
- ✦Gita Bhawan bhojanalaya, Swarg Ashram – simple satvik pure-vegetarian meals, often cooked without onion or garlic, for pilgrims and walkers.
- ✦Parmarth Niketan / Ram Jhula area eateries – several dependable pure-vegetarian cafes and thali kitchens in this holy, alcohol-free belt; ideal for stocking up.
- ✦Trailside and hilltop chai stalls (including near the Mauni Baba cave) – tea and basic snacks only and not always open, so carry your own food and at least two litres of water.
About
The Manikoot Parvat forest trek is the old pilgrim foot-trail that links the ashram belt of Rishikesh with the hill shrine of Neelkanth Mahadev, climbing roughly 12 to 14 kilometres from the east bank of the Ganga at Swarg Ashram to a saddle at about 1,330 metres.
- It is the walking alternative to the winding 32-kilometre motor road, and for centuries it was the only way pilgrims reached Neelkanth.
- The name of the mountain carries the story that draws people here: in the churning-of-the-ocean legend, Shiva drank the halahala poison to save creation, and Parvati stayed his throat so the venom lodged there and turned it blue — Neelkanth, the 'blue-throated one.' The peak of Manikoot, flanked by the ridges traditionally named Brahmakoot and Vishnukoot, is remembered as the place of that act, which is why the forest above Swarg Ashram is walked as much in devotion as for exercise.
- The trail begins gently among the ashrams and then climbs steadily into dense subtropical forest that forms part of the buffer of Rajaji National Park.
- The lower slopes are thick with Sal, and higher up oak, rosewood and flowering shrubs take over; langurs crash through the canopy, and the path is loud with cicadas, barbets and whistling thrushes.
- Around eight kilometres in, most walkers pause at the small cave-hermitage associated with a Mauni Baba — a sadhu who kept a vow of silence — where a simple trailside stall usually serves tea.
- From clearings along the ridge the reward is a wide sweep of the Garhwal foothills and, on clear winter mornings, distant snow lines to the north.
- This is a genuinely strenuous outing and it runs through active wildlife country: leopards and, on the lower reaches, elephants move through the Rajaji forest, so it is walked in daylight only, ideally in a group and, for first-timers, with a local guide.
- Start at dawn, carry at least two litres of water and your own food, and plan to be off the trail well before dusk; many walkers ascend on foot and take a shared jeep or bus back down the road rather than retracing the climb.
- The busiest days are Maha Shivratri and the Shravan month, when streams of devotees fill the path — atmospheric, but not the quiet nature walk of an ordinary winter morning.
- Rishikesh is a holy town that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, so the trailhead is exceptionally easy for pure-vegetarian travellers.
- Fuel up before you set off at the long-running pure-veg kitchens of Swarg Ashram — Chotiwala's set thali is a local institution, and the bhojanalayas at Gita Bhawan and Parmarth Niketan serve simple satvik, often no-onion-no-garlic, meals.
- There is no reliable food on the forest trail itself beyond occasional chai stalls, so treat the walk as self-supported and carry fruit, nuts and water for the climb.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Trailhead behind Swarg Ashram, near Gita Bhawan and Parmarth Niketan, east bank of the Ganga (Ram Jhula side), Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249304
How to Reach: The trail starts on the east bank of the Ganga behind Swarg Ashram, near Ram Jhula. From Rishikesh's main bus stand or Tapovan, an auto-rickshaw to Ram Jhula costs about ₹80–150; cross the footbridge to the east bank and walk south through Swarg Ashram to the marked trailhead behind Gita Bhawan and Parmarth Niketan. The forest path climbs roughly 12–14 km to Neelkanth (about 4–6 hours ascent). Many walkers descend by shared jeep or bus on the motor road (about 32 km) instead of retracing the trail — confirm return transport at the top before you set off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Swarg Ashram to Neelkanth forest trek?
The foot-trail is roughly 12–14 km one way and climbs from the Ganga at Swarg Ashram (about 350 m) to the Neelkanth saddle at around 1,330 m. Most walkers take 4–6 hours to ascend. It is a genuinely strenuous, full-day outing, and many people walk up and then take a shared jeep or bus back down the 32 km motor road rather than retracing the climb.
Is there an entry fee for the Manikoot Parvat trek?
No, there is no ticket to walk the pilgrim trail, and entry to the Neelkanth Mahadev shrine at the top is free. The path runs through the buffer forest of Rajaji National Park, so occasional forest-department rules or seasonal closures can apply — check locally before you set out.
Is the trek safe, and are there wild animals?
The route passes through active wildlife country in the Rajaji buffer, where leopards and, on the lower reaches, elephants are present. Walk in daylight only, ideally in a group, and consider a local guide if it is your first time. Start at dawn, carry at least two litres of water and your own food, keep to the main path, and be off the trail well before dark.
What is the best time of year to do the trek?
October to March gives cool, clear conditions and the best foothill and occasional snow-line views. Avoid the monsoon (July–September), when the trail is slippery, leech-prone and prone to landslides. Maha Shivratri and the Shravan month bring huge crowds of pilgrims — atmospheric but far from a quiet nature walk.
What will I see along the trail, and what is the Mauni Baba cave?
The path climbs through dense Sal-and-oak forest alive with langurs and birdsong, with wide views over the Garhwal foothills from ridge clearings. About 8 km in you reach a small cave-hermitage linked to a Mauni Baba, a sadhu who kept a vow of silence, where a simple stall usually serves tea. The mountain, Manikoot Parvat, is tied to the legend of Shiva drinking the ocean's poison, which turned his throat blue — hence 'Neelkanth.'
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the trek?
Rishikesh is a holy, vegetarian and alcohol-free town, so the Swarg Ashram trailhead is entirely pure-vegetarian. Fuel up before you set off at Chotiwala's classic thali or the satvik bhojanalayas of Gita Bhawan and Parmarth Niketan, often cooked without onion or garlic. There is little reliable food on the trail itself, so carry fruit, nuts and plenty of water for the climb.
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