Deodar forests, the wooden Hadimba temple, slow cafes in Old Manali and the waterfall trail to Jogini. Everything here is written from the trail.
Where Manali slows down
When you visit, you will come across these cafes and Mall Road. Two sit in Old Manali, one is upstairs on Mall Road, and the fourth is across a little bridge in Soyal village.
Cafe 1986
Upstairs on Mall Road: warm lamps under a wooden ceiling, cosy tufted booths by the windows, live music from local bands, good coffee, pizzas and sandwiches.
Live musicThe Lazy Dog
A riverside terrace under a big willow, right above the rushing stream. Lovely by day, magical when the lights come on at night.
By the riverCafe Evergreen
Riverside seating, a glass counter full of cakes and bakes, and a menu that runs from Indian and Italian to Israeli and Chinese food.
Bakery and riverside seatingLata's Bridge Cafe
Run by locals and serving local food, under yellow tarps in a pine forest by the river. Cross the little bridge into Soyal village, then sit on log stools, swing in a hammock and eat with the stream rushing past.
Local foodThe town's busiest street
Mall Road is the main market street in Manali: shops, street food and an easy evening walk.
Expect crowds in peak season. Mall Road and the cafes get very busy in peak season, so go early in the day if you want it quieter.
Crowds and weather, month by month
Four places worth the walk
A wooden temple in the deodars, a waterfall above Vashisht, the busy heart of town and an ice Shivling near Solang. Here is how to reach each one and what to expect.
Hadimba Devi Temple
A wooden temple with a tall, four-tiered pagoda roof, built in 1553 for Hidimba Devi, the wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata. It stands in Dhungri Van Vihar, a quiet forest of giant deodar trees.
Look closely at the carved wooden doorway, then walk the forest paths around the temple. It is cool and shady even in summer.
Jogini Falls
A tall waterfall that pours off the cliffs above Vashisht. The walk is the best part: a path through pine forest and apple orchards, past small cafes, up to the Jogini Mata temple at the foot of the falls.
- Get to Vashisht village, about 3 km from Manali, by cab or on foot.
- Walk up past the Vashisht temple and follow the signs for Jogini.
- The trail climbs gently through the forest to the temple and the falls.
Mall Road
The main market street of Manali, and the easiest walk in town. Browse woollen shawls and caps, the Tibetan market and street-food stalls, then go upstairs to Cafe 1986 for coffee and live music.
Expect it to be crowded in peak season, when the whole town seems to be out for an evening stroll.
Anjani Mahadev
A small Shiva temple below a waterfall, high above Solang. In winter the water freezes over the rock into a natural ice Shivling, and pilgrims walk up through the snow to see it.
- Take the road from Manali to Solang Valley, about 14 km, by cab or bike.
- From Solang, walk up through the forest, or ride a pony part of the way.
- The trail ends at the temple and the waterfall.
Two stays with a pool and a view
Both sit side by side on Hamta Road in Prini village, about 4 km from Mall Road, away from the crowds and looking straight out at the snow peaks.
Echor Himalayan Aurum
A small boutique hotel of 25 rooms, each with a private balcony looking over the Beas Valley and the snow peaks. Spend the afternoon by the outdoor pool, then eat at the in-house restaurant or the bar and lounge. Jacuzzi rooms are there if you want to treat yourself.
Echor Himalayan Heights Luxe
The bigger of the two, with 49 rooms including studios and alpine cottages, all with balconies facing the snow-capped ridges. Swim in the pool with mountain views, book a spa therapy, and use the gym, restaurant and bar without leaving the hotel.
Where to go next
Every guide on Fremza is written from the trail. Pick your next valley.