Hatu peak

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Hatu peak
Hatu Peak as seen from Narkanda, India.
Highest point
Elevation	3,400 m (11,200 ft)
Naming
Language of name	Hindi
Geography
Location	Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Hatu peak is located in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, India at an elevation of 3400 m (11,152 ft) above sea level. The peak is surrounded by dense forest of conifers, oaks and maples.

Location[]

HPPWD Kumarsain Division Sign Board showing elevation of Hatu Peak from main sea level

Hatu Peak lies on the Shimla-Rampur Highway nearly 71 km from Shimla. The roads are in good condition until Narkanda which is nearly 8 km from the peak. From here you can either trek for 8 km or go by bike or car. From there the peak can be accessed by bike or car but the road is difficult to use and only one car can climb at a time.

Attractions[]

Hatu Temple[]

The Hatu Temple

At the top of the peak is a small wooden temple called Hatu temple. According to local belief the famous Hatu Mata temple is the temple of Maa Kaali. People come in great number on the first Sunday of Jyeshtha to pay ritual here. There is an ancient stove like formation of rocks nearby the temple. Locals believe that it was used by the Pandavas brothers to cook their food during their Agyaat Vaas.^[1]

Tourist House[]

A small structure has been created which is used seldom by civil authorities.

Scenic Views[]

Scenic beauty of the Shivalik Hills can be enjoyed on the steep road to Hatu Peak.

The shot was taken on 24 December 2017 in Narkanda(Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India) on the way to Hatu Peak. The picture portrays the neighbouring peaks of Hatu Peak.

Flora[]

The peak and the surrounding area is dominated by a large temperate forest mostly consist of Conifer, Oak, Maple, Populus, Aesculus, Corylus, Holly species.

Conifer: There are various species of conifers growing in the area which cover the substantial part of the forest. These are:

1.Abies pindrow,

2.Cedrus deodara,

3. Cryptomeria japonica,

4. Picea smithiana,

5.Pinus wallichiana,

6. Taxus contorta.

Oak: Quercus semecarpifolia and Quercus floribunda are native to the area.

Maple: Acer caesium, Acer acuminatum and Acer cappadocicum are native to the area.

Poplar: Populus ciliata is native to the area.

Aesculus: Aesculus indica is native to the area.

Hazelnut: is native to the area.

Holly: is native to the area.

Apart from these major trees there are various species shrubs like Berberis aristata and flower plants growing in the area. Recently, the forest has been cleared for the apple orchards.

Accessibility[]

The small hill station of Narkanda (at 2708m) is the start for the journey to the top of Hatu Peak.

Air[]

Shimla has a small airstrip located on a nearby hill top (in Jubbarhatti, about 23 km south of town). This airstrip is too small to support jets, so the only service available is from Jagson Airlines which offers single flight service into Shimla from Delhi on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Train[]

A narrow gauge "toy" train service runs from Kalka to Shimla. This service takes about 4 hours to wind up the ridges to the hill station, and has a plethora of fantastic scenery along the way.

Bus[]

There are numerous bus services to Shimla from Delhi, Manali, and Chandigarh on a daily basis.

Facilities[]

Hatu Peak is uninhabited and therefore few facilities are available at the top. There is a tourist lodge by HPTC 1 km below the peak which can be used for general facilities and accommodation.^[2]

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hatu peak.

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