The Garhwali Thali

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Features Hike-a-bike · Technical · Views

No parking fees. You can either leave a vehicle at Jabarkhet or the area near the turn off for the switchbacks to Kimoi. Either way you'll have to ride 2km along the rode at the end or beginning.

Water is not plentiful, but should be easily found when necessary along the trail at different sections.

Check out the local roadsteads and restaurants around Jabarkhet for food.

The start of the ride begins by turning down the steep winding (and often times slick) concrete/stone path that winds down to Kimoi. You descend through beautiful oak-rhododendron forest and deodar cedar and continue along a more flat stretch of singletrack passing an apple orchard on your left until you start approaching fields outside of Kimoi. A few steeper rocky sections and switchbacks keep you on your toes.

Before reaching Kimoi, you must pass below a section of trail that is beneath the road development going on above. This section is prone to landslides, and it is advisable that to carefully walk your bike through the more loose and treacherous sections. Avoid riding through the village center of Kimoi as a matter of respect and courtesy for the people and connect back to the main trail on the other side of the village. There is a nalla you can fill water up at on the other end of Kimoi.

The next leg of the trail snakes back and forth along ridges with some nice longer sections of gradual downhill and gradual uphills. This section is sunnier and drier than the opening leg with some choosy limestone bands rising out around you at times. Follow a ridgeline back and then through a more jungle-like section (another good spot to fill water) before reaching the Khanda school yard area. keep your eyes peeled for a plethora of possible bird sightings. This region is know for its birding!

From Khanda, follow the main trail which turns into doubletrack at times past the village of Khanda and head towards the village of Kolti. There will be a turn to add a section of singltrack to the ride before getting to Kolti, but if you miss it you can stay on the doubletrack road until getting to Kolti proper.

Now you've reached Kolti! It's all up hill from here. Take the long grueling singltrack trail that is never too steep or technical not to justify riding (except for maybe a few parts). I mean hey, you got to ride nearly 3,200 feet downhill, so remember that when you're hiking-a-bike or exploding your quads as you ascend out of the valley on the very pretty and well forested trail to Jabarkhet. Once reaching Jabarkhet and the road, stop by the local restaurants and devour the trail's namesake Garhwali thali!