Secret Waterfall Forest Trek (Tapovan)
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · nature walk
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
The Secret Waterfall is one of Rishikesh's quietly kept treasures — a tranquil forest cascade tucked into the wooded slopes of Upper Tapovan, reached on foot rather than by road. While most visitors to Tapovan know only its riverside cafes and yoga schools clustered around Lakshman Jhula, a short trail leads uphill from Balaknath Temple Road, past Muliyani village, into a shaded belt of sal and pine where a seasonal stream tumbles over mossy rock into a clear natural pool. It is the kind of place local guides mention almost reluctantly: no signboard, no ticket counter, no crowd — just birdsong, filtered light, and the sound of water gathering strength after the rains.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg cafes and satvik kitchens around Upper Tapovan - simple organic thalis, paratha and eggless bakes in a fully vegetarian, alcohol-free town (confirm days and timings locally).
- ✦Freedom Cafe, Tapovan - a long-standing traveller cafe in a fully vegetarian, alcohol-free town; good for a relaxed refuel (menu and hours vary seasonally).
- ✦Local pure-veg bhojnalayas around Tapovan market - simple satvik thalis, paratha and chai at modest prices; Rishikesh eateries are vegetarian by law.
- ✦Little Buddha Cafe near Lakshman Jhula - popular vegetarian cafe with river views for a slow evening after the walk (confirm current hours).
About
The Secret Waterfall is one of Rishikesh's quietly kept treasures — a tranquil forest cascade tucked into the wooded slopes of Upper Tapovan, reached on foot rather than by road.
- While most visitors to Tapovan know only its riverside cafes and yoga schools clustered around Lakshman Jhula, a short trail leads uphill from Balaknath Temple Road, past Muliyani village, into a shaded belt of sal and pine where a seasonal stream tumbles over mossy rock into a clear natural pool.
- It is the kind of place local guides mention almost reluctantly: no signboard, no ticket counter, no crowd — just birdsong, filtered light, and the sound of water gathering strength after the rains.
- The walk itself is easy-to-moderate and family-friendly, covering roughly two to three kilometres one way over gently rising forest paths, small rocky patches and a valley stream that the trail criss-crosses.
- Most walkers reach the falls in twenty to forty minutes at an unhurried pace, though the last stretch is strictly on foot and can turn muddy and slippery in the wet months.
- Sturdy shoes with grip are essential, and it is wise to walk with a companion or a local guide, as the path is informal and unmarked in places.
- The cascade is at its most dramatic during and just after the monsoon (roughly July to September, lingering into October), when snow-melt and rainfall swell the flow and the surrounding forest is at its greenest.
- Behind and beside the falls, walkers often find a small rock recess used as a quiet meditation spot — in keeping with Tapovan's long ascetic tradition, the name itself meaning "forest of austerity." The pool is shallow and inviting for a cooling dip, but the current can strengthen suddenly after heavy rain, so caution near the water is important and the falls are best avoided immediately after a cloudburst.
- There is no food or shop on the trail, so carry your own water and snacks and pack out every scrap of litter — this is fragile forest, not a picnic ground.
- The good news for vegetarian travellers is that Rishikesh is a holy city that is entirely vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, and Tapovan is dense with pure-vegetarian cafes and thali kitchens for the meal you will have earned on the way back.
- Combine the trek with a slow Tapovan morning and a riverside evening for a gentle, screen-free day in the Himalayan foothills.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Off Balaknath Temple Road, Upper Tapovan (near Muliyani village), across Lakshman Jhula, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249192
How to Reach: The trailhead lies off Balaknath Temple Road in Upper Tapovan, on the Lakshman Jhula side of Rishikesh, near Muliyani village. From Tapovan market or the Lakshman Jhula area it is a short auto-rickshaw or scooter ride (about 10-15 minutes) to the road-head, from where the last stretch is on foot through the forest. From Rishikesh town or the main taxi stand, a shared or private auto to Tapovan costs roughly Rs 100-200. A local guide is recommended, as the forest path is informal and unmarked in places; agree any guiding fee in advance.
More places in Rishikesh
- Triveni Ghat & Ganga AartiRishikesh's largest and holiest bathing ghat, where the nightly Maha Aarti of lamps, conch and chanting draws thousands to the Ganga's edge.
- Neelkanth Mahadev TempleA revered hilltop Shiva shrine about 32 km from Rishikesh, marking the spot where Shiva is said to have held the churning-ocean poison in his blue throat — set amid forested Garhwal peaks at ~1,330 m.
- Lakshman JhulaRishikesh's most iconic iron suspension footbridge over the Ganga, completed in 1929 and named for Lakshman — ringed by riverside temples and ashrams. The historic deck is currently closed for safety; the views from the banks remain unmissable.
- Ram JhulaA broad 1986 iron suspension bridge over the Ganga linking Sivananda Ashram with Swarg Ashram — the spine of Rishikesh's densest cluster of ashrams, temples and riverside aarti.
- Parmarth Niketan AshramRishikesh's largest ashram in Swarg Ashram — 1,000-plus rooms, a nightly riverside Ganga aarti and a towering meditating-Shiva murti at the water's edge.
- Kunjapuri Devi TempleA hilltop Shakti Peeth at ~1,676 m near Rishikesh, revered for its Himalayan sunrise panorama of Gangotri, Swargarohini and Chaukhamba over the Doon Valley.
- Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)The abandoned Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram where the Beatles stayed in 1968 — now a forest-department heritage site of moss-green meditation domes covered in psychedelic murals and graffiti.
- Bharat MandirRishikesh's oldest temple — a shrine to Vishnu as Hrishikesh Narayan, traditionally re-consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya in 789 CE, tucked in the old-town lanes near Triveni Ghat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Secret Waterfall in Rishikesh and how do I get there?
It lies in the forest of Upper Tapovan, off Balaknath Temple Road near Muliyani village, on the Lakshman Jhula side of Rishikesh. Take an auto-rickshaw or scooter from Tapovan market or Lakshman Jhula to the road-head (about 10-15 minutes), then walk the final stretch through the forest. The path is informal, so a local guide is recommended.
How long and how hard is the trek to the Secret Waterfall?
It is a short, easy-to-moderate forest walk of roughly two to three kilometres one way, taking about 20 to 40 minutes at a relaxed pace. It suits families and beginners, but the last section is on foot only and can be muddy and slippery in the monsoon, so wear shoes with good grip and walk with a companion.
Is there an entry fee for the Secret Waterfall?
No, entry is reported to be free - there is no gate or ticket counter, as this is an informal forest spot rather than a managed park. If you hire a local guide, agree the fee in advance. Carry your own water and snacks, since there are no shops on the trail.
What is the best time to visit the Secret Waterfall near Tapovan?
The falls are fullest during and just after the monsoon, roughly July to September and lingering into October. October and November also give clear skies and comfortable walking. Avoid the trail immediately after heavy rain, when it becomes slippery and the current can strengthen suddenly.
Is the Secret Waterfall safe for swimming and for children?
The natural pool is shallow and inviting for a cooling dip, and the gentle trail is fine for older children with supervision. However, the current can strengthen quickly after heavy rain, so stay cautious near the water, keep young children close, and skip the water entirely right after a cloudburst.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the Secret Waterfall trek?
Rishikesh is a holy city that is entirely vegetarian and alcohol-free, so every eatery in Tapovan is meat-free. After the walk, Freedom Cafe in Tapovan is a reliable pure-veg option, and simple bhojnalayas around Tapovan market serve satvik thalis, paratha and chai. Little Buddha Cafe near Lakshman Jhula is a relaxed choice for the evening.
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