Temples in Pithoragarh
- 01
Dhwaj Temple
A hilltop shrine to Shiva and Maa Jayanti, about 10 km by road from Pithoragarh and then 4 to 5 km on foot, with views of the snow peaks.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Dry, clear months
- Tickets
- No entry fee was confirmed. Dress modestly, remove shoes at the shrine and avoid going in the monsoon.
- 02
Hat Kalika Temple, Gangolihat
A temple to the goddess Kali in a grove of deodar cedars at Gangolihat, about 78 km from Pithoragarh, known for its Navratri fair.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Dry months; Navratri for the fair
- Tickets
- No entry fee was confirmed. Dress modestly, remove shoes and ask before photographing worshippers.
- 03
Kapileshwar Mahadev Cave Temple
A Shiva cave shrine on a hill in Ancholi village, close to Pithoragarh, with views over the town and the Soar valley.
- Time needed
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning, before the day's visitors arrive
- Tickets
- Free to visit as far as we could confirm. Shoes are removed at the shrine; dress modestly, and ask before photographing worshippers or inside the cave.
- 04
Nakuleshwar Temple
A Shiva temple in the Athgaon Shilling area, about 10 km from town, which legend credits to the Pandava twins Nakul and Sahadev.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Mornings in dry months
- Tickets
- No entry fee was confirmed. Remove shoes at the temple, dress modestly and ask before photographing worshippers.
- 05
Thal Kedar Temple
A Shiva temple on a hill about 10 km from Pithoragarh, reached by a walk of about 3 km, and known for its Shivratri fair and valley views.
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours with the walk
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Dry months; Maha Shivratri for the fair
- Tickets
- No entry fee was confirmed. Dress modestly, remove shoes at the shrine and expect heavy crowds during the Shivratri fair.
Day trips in Pithoragarh
- 06
Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary
A protected area of about 600 sq km set up in 1986 for the musk deer, about 54 km from Pithoragarh near Askot.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Dry months outside the monsoon
- Tickets
- Access, permits and fees were not verified. Contact the Uttarakhand Forest Department or the local range office before you travel.
Landmarks in Pithoragarh
- 07
Chandak and Mostamanu
A hilltop village and forested ridge about 7 to 8 km from town, with wide views over the Soar valley and, on clear days, the Himalaya, plus the Mostamanu temple nearby.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours with the drive
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Clear mornings in October to November and March to May
- Tickets
- No ticket was confirmed for the ridge itself. The temple is a place of worship; dress modestly, remove shoes and ask before photographing people.
Culture in Pithoragarh
- 08
Hilljatra Festival, Kumaur
A monsoon paddy-planting festival of the Soar valley with masked performances, centred on villages near Pithoragarh such as Kumaur.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Monsoon, around Bhadrapada (roughly August to September); dates vary
- Tickets
- Free, as a village festival. Dates are set locally and change each year; ask in Pithoragarh. Photography of masked performers should be respectful, so ask before filming.
Forts in Pithoragarh
- 09
Pithoragarh Fort (London Fort)
A hilltop fort built by the Gorkhas in 1789, also known locally as London Fort, with views over Pithoragarh and the Soar valley.
- Time needed
- 45 to 90 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or around sunset for the clearest views
- Tickets
- No ticket system was confirmed. The district site lists the fort without fees or timings, so check locally on the day, and treat the structure carefully, as accounts describe it as worn.
Close enough to combine