Tosh is one of the best-positioned base camps in Himachal Pradesh. Within a day's walk in any direction, you have everything from short forest walks to multi-day Himalayan crossings. This is a practical guide — distances, difficulty, what to expect, when to go.
We've done all of these. Ask us at StonedAge before you leave and we'll tell you what the trail is like right now, not just what it says in a blog post from 2019.
Day Treks
Tosh to Tosh Glacier — 4–6 hrs return
The glacier is visible from the village, which tricks people into thinking it's close. It's not — it's about a 3-hour climb one way. But it's among the most rewarding day hikes in the valley: high altitude, exposed ridgeline, and the glacier itself is larger and more dramatic up close than it appears from below. No guide required, but check with us on current trail conditions — the upper section changes seasonally. Best April–October. Start early.
Tosh to Kalga — 2 hrs one way
A relatively flat, beautiful walk through apple orchards and forest to the neighbouring village of Kalga. The two villages are connected by a trail that very few tourists use. Kalga has its own quiet and a different perspective back across the valley toward Tosh. Good morning walk. Come back for lunch.
Tosh Village Upper Loop — 1–2 hrs
If you're acclimatizing, not fit, or just want to move your legs without committing to a full trek — the upper village trail loops above StonedAge and gives you glacier views, shepherd paths, and a complete change of altitude within an hour. We can show you the starting point from the property.
2–3 Day Treks
Kheerganga — via Barshaini or Nakthan · 12–14 km one way
Kheerganga is the most famous trek in Parvati Valley, and for good reason — it ends at a natural hot spring at 9,700 feet. The trail from Barshaini takes you through dense deodar forest, past the Rudra Nag waterfall, and into a wide alpine meadow. Two route options: via Nakthan (longer, more scenic) or via Kalga (shorter). Most people do it as a one-night trip. Start from Barshaini early morning, reach the top by afternoon, stay overnight in the tents or basic accommodation at the top, descend next day.
Best season: May–October. The trail is occasionally closed during monsoon — verify locally.
Grahan Village — 9 km one way · via Kasol
Grahan is a traditional Himachali village that sits above Kasol, accessible only on foot. The trail gains 1,400 feet from the valley floor. The village itself is extraordinary — stone houses, traditional architecture, locals who haven't been overwhelmed by visitors. Strong homestay culture. A night or two in Grahan is one of the more genuine Parvati Valley experiences available.
Note: You'll need to descend back to Kasol or continue to Tosh via a connecting trail. Ask us about the Grahan–Tosh variation.
Rasol — half day or overnight
Rasol sits above Kasol and above the Parvati Valley rim. The view from Rasol into the valley and toward the snow peaks is one of the finest panoramas in the region. The trail is steep but not technical. Rasol was discovered early by backpackers and has a small permanent settlement of chai shops and basic stays. Go for the views, not the infrastructure.
"The trails in this valley don't lead somewhere and back. They lead through something. You're different at the top than you were at the bottom."
— StonedAge trail notesAdvanced / Multi-Day Expeditions
Pin Parvati Pass — 7–9 days · 105 km · 17,457 ft
One of the great high-altitude crossings of the Indian Himalayas. The Pin Parvati Pass connects the Parvati Valley (lush, green, wet) to the Pin Valley in Spiti (stark, arid, lunar). The contrast is total — you start in a forested mountain paradise and emerge into a high-altitude desert. This is a serious trek requiring fitness, a guide, permits, and experience with altitude above 15,000 feet. Not for the unprepared. But for those who are ready: unforgettable.
Best season: July–September only. Requires guide — we can connect you with our trusted local guides.
Mantalai Lake — 4–5 days · Source of the Parvati River
Mantalai Lake sits at 13,500 feet at the source of the Parvati river. The trek goes deep into the upper Parvati Valley, past the Parvati Dam, through progressively more remote and dramatic terrain. Base camp for Pin Parvati Pass for those crossing. As a standalone trek, it's one of the best in Himachal — challenging, remote, and spectacularly beautiful. Mid-summer only.
Before You Go: Practical Notes
Guides: For day treks, not required. For anything above 4,000m or multi-day, we strongly recommend a local guide. We know the good ones — ask us. Weather: Mountain weather is unpredictable. Trails that look clear can socked in by afternoon cloud. Always start early and carry more warm layers than you think you need. Water: Carry a filter or purification tablets. Stream water in the lower valley is not reliable. Higher up, glacial melt is generally clean. Permits: Some routes into restricted zones require inner line permits from the SDM in Bhuntar. Verify before you go, especially for Pin Parvati.