Bhrigu Lake

The Prettiest Grassland Trek in Himachal

Have questions? Speak to our expert Trek Advisors

We have an expert team of Trek Advisors to help you choose the right trek. So if you have questions like, "Can I do this trek?" or "Who else is trekking?", please get in touch.Talk to our Trek Advisors

low-preview-350c9b20 7568 4392 a981 14fa7770a3a7 trek difficulty icon350c9b20 7568 4392 a981 14fa7770a3a7 trek difficulty icon

TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate

low-preview-4902f37f 15b9 4b5d ace9 ad71d477a4e9 trek duration icon4902f37f 15b9 4b5d ace9 ad71d477a4e9 trek duration icon

TREK DURATION

4 days

low-preview-c67b49bd 854f 4450 a803 a24db9f283fd highest altitude iconc67b49bd 854f 4450 a803 a24db9f283fd highest altitude icon

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

14,009 ft

The Prettiest Grassland Trek in Himachal

A lot of trekkers do the Bhrigu Lake trek for the lake is steeped in mythology. This trek lies in Himachal Pradesh, around 20 km north of Manali and can be accessed from Gulaba.

It is known as the place where the famous saint Maharishi Bhrigu sat in deep meditation. However, we believe the lake is not the only thing the trek has to offer. You must do the Bhrigu Lake trek for its grasslands.

To enter an alpine meadow in our country, one has to often spend at least a day or two trekking within the tree line. We are talking about two or three days of hard ascent. This is because most alpine meadows start at around 11,000 ft above the treeline.

Bhrigu Lake - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Bhrigu Lake trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Bhrigu Lake Trek Videos
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault
low-preview-hqdefaulthqdefault

Expert Speak

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

low-preview-350f4602 a23f 48c1 a2bf 4d00485439a3 arjun majumdar   indiahikes   founder   ceo 350f4602 a23f 48c1 a2bf 4d00485439a3 arjun majumdar   indiahikes   founder   ceo

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Here is Arjun Majumdar, Founder and CEO of Indiahikes talking about the Bhrigu Lake trek. Arjun is an entrepreneur by profession and a trekker by passion, Arjun started Indiahikes in 2008 with a vision to explore and document new trails, solve problems in the mountains and implement sustainable ways of trekking.

What I Like and Don't Like About the Bhrigu Lake Trek

What I Like About the Bhirgu Lake Trek

low-preview-350f4602 a23f 48c1 a2bf 4d00485439a3 arjun majumdar   indiahikes   founder   ceo 350f4602 a23f 48c1 a2bf 4d00485439a3 arjun majumdar   indiahikes   founder   ceo

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Here is Arjun Majumdar, Founder and CEO of Indiahikes talking about the Bhrigu Lake trek. Arjun is an entrepreneur by profession and a trekker by passion, Arjun started Indiahikes in 2008 with a vision to explore and document new trails, solve problems in the mountains and implement sustainable ways of trekking.

1. The rolling, textured grasslands of Bhrigu Lake

Here, the grasslands stretched in lovely undulating green dunes as far as the eye could see; perhaps even beyond. It was special.

I hadn’t seen something like this: the meadows changed texture and colour with every altitude gained. What started as a short, bright, but coarse carpet turned a rich, succulent green as we climbed.

At one point we stopped for a short snack break. I took off my shoes and felt the velvet touch of the immaculate lushness under my feet. The moist softness and the deeply aromatic smell still stay with me.

low-preview-40cd6d44 f255 4d68 8735 166dec89e7c3 bhrigu lake bl gatreddi avinash mountain meadows 40cd6d44 f255 4d68 8735 166dec89e7c3 bhrigu lake bl gatreddi avinash mountain meadows

Vast open grasslands on the Bhrigu Lake trek. Photo by Avinash

2. The commanding views from Rola Kholi

I loved walking through the cauldron that is called Rola Kholi. We did not stop there and pitched our tent on a ledge jutting out from the walls of the cauldron. I could not have asked for a more commanding view of the mountains of the Pir Panjal range.

Early in the morning, I walked up the gently sloping banks around Rola Kholi. The sun lit up the grassland in bright yellowish streaks and cotton wool clouds hung in the air below me.

In front of Mt Hanuman Tibba, Ladaki Peak, and Friendship Peak, the summits of Lahaul stretched out. It was just us and the abundance of a teeming, flourishing grassland. I had underrated the trek.

low-preview-17103207 52be 484c b829 1daf207be407 bhrigu lake bl indiahikes jothiranjan august 2021 mt17103207 52be 484c b829 1daf207be407 bhrigu lake bl indiahikes jothiranjan august 2021 mt

View of Mt Hanuman Tibba, Ladaki Peak and Friendship Peak from Rola Kholi campsite. Picture by Jothiranjan

3. Reflection of mountains in Bhrigu Lake from a high point

When I climbed a bit higher over the banks of the Bhrigu lake, I saw the mountain ranges reflected on the waters of the lake. Clouds hung below us and we were almost looking at the lake as it hung out of the air. We were at 14,000 feet. I couldn’t believe we were that high!

low-preview-de783906 e450 45c9 8f49 09597b12356c bhrigu lake bl subhashis pal the great bhrigu lakede783906 e450 45c9 8f49 09597b12356c bhrigu lake bl subhashis pal the great bhrigu lake

Bhrigu Lake reflecting the scenic beauty around it. Photo by Subhashis Pal

4. Stunning green valley on the other side

We were early to the lake, so we went beyond, towards Pandurupa. It is not too far, perhaps half an hour on the other side. 

I had fallen in love with the trek, but I should have waited. 

The other side was equally stunning. A wide green valley stretched below us. Green grassy mountainsides rise out of the valley and a line of forest way down below. I wish we could trek this side too. But I knew the trail was long and winding. We couldn’t camp in between. Reluctantly, we made our way back to the lake.  

I had not expected much out of the Bhrigu lake trek. I didn’t think a trek right out of Manali could be so grand. I wish I was not so full of my image set. Bhrigu Lake is one of the best grassland treks that I have done in my life.

low-preview-e8ec5f09 bd5b 43b3 928c 8619ff2fc274 bhrigu lake bl indiahikes jothiranjan august 2021 meadows trailwithtrekkers e8ec5f09 bd5b 43b3 928c 8619ff2fc274 bhrigu lake bl indiahikes jothiranjan august 2021 meadows trailwithtrekkers

Lush green meadows on the Bhrigu Lake trek. Picture by the Indiahikes Team

What I Don't Like About the Bhirgu Lake Trek

1. Bhrigu Lake is less appealing

The lake didn’t appeal to me much. It was a bit of a downer after the exhilaration of the climb and the stunning scenery around.

I expected the lake to be larger, with a grassy bank around it. There wasn’t. It had a muddy bank. A few local folks were even taking a dip in its water. That killed the setting. Perhaps my overfed imagination expected too much.

Trek Trivia

Things Nobody Tells You About Bhrigu Lake

The Story of Bhrigu Lake

Maharishi Bhrigu, who was one of the famous Saptarishis, sat and meditated beside the Bhrigu Lake.

The setting of the lake, resting between two high-altitude ridges, does seem perfect for silence and inward reflection. Moreover, from here you can see the grand Himalayan ranges too. Right in front of you, there are Pir Pinjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Also, major peaks such as Indrasen, Deo Tibba, and Hanuman Tibba stand majestically before you.

It is believed that the sacred meditations of Maharishi Bhrigu have purified the lake and the space around it. This is a holy lake for the locals, and to protect its sanctity, camping close to the lake is prohibited.

low-preview-e4bd4e98 8674 4aeb 9ccd a671dc7501d2 bhrigu lake bl indiahikes jothiranjan august 2021 monsoon colours lakes and river 6 e4bd4e98 8674 4aeb 9ccd a671dc7501d2 bhrigu lake bl indiahikes jothiranjan august 2021 monsoon colours lakes and river 6

FAQs