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Descending the Upper Rispana gorge


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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.3

KM

Loop

4,263' 1,299 m

High

3,363' 1,025 m

Low

1,423' 434 m

Up

1,418' 432 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

54%

Max Grade (28°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Geological Significance · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

A 10ft section of the trail has been obliterated by a landslide and is extremely tricky to cross. Extreme caution is advised. The latter part of the trail, after it diverges from the Rajpur-Jharipani Hiking Trail/Kipling Trail, cannot be accessed during the monsoon.

Overview

This is a circuit that follows the upper catchment of the Rispana river, ascending by the Rajpur-Jharipani Hiking Trail/Kipling Trail and descending by the narrow and steep Rispana River Gorge.

Need to Know

As with the Rajpur-Jharipani Hiking Trail/Kipling Trail parking is at Rajpur-Shahenshahi Ashram. While there is no parking fee, this is a shared public area with residential buildings, so please park sensibly. There are several teashops, cafes and restaurants in Rajpur village that one can visit. There are no restrooms in the area, but one can ask at the restaurants and cafes to use one.
While on the trail and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Description

The first part of the trail follows the regular Rajpur-Jharipani Hiking Trail/Kipling Trail uphill, until that turns diverges to the northwest. There is a wide path that continues downward through beautiful hill forest until it emerges into a steep-sided valley with limestone formations and scant vegetation, with the Rispana River flowing through it.

From here, the path follows the Rispana upstream and one can cross it at a concrete bridge and carry on to Talainigad village via a very steep and broken path. However, there is a small, steep, gravelly, and narrow trail that descends to the river, about 200m before the bridge. This trail descends steeply down the narrow Rispana gorge, criss-crossing the river at four points via concrete bridges. There are numerous pretty cascades and waterfalls alongside the path. The path is very steep and narrow and broken in some sections.

There is a section missing below the second bridge, which is extremely tricky to negotiate and extreme caution is advised. The trail continues steeply downhill via several switchbacks, following the river course, until it merges with the path to Shikhar Waterfalls, a popular tourist spot. From here, one can hike about 800m to the start of the Rajpur-Jharipani Hiking Trail/Kipling Trail.

The trail is steep in sections with loose gravel, particularly in the latter half where it descends through the gorge. Sturdy shoes and trekking poles are highly recommended.

Flora & Fauna

The latter half of the trail passes through some of the richest hill forests in the region, with and abundance of birds and wildlflowers. Common trees in this area include Sapium insigne, Bauhinia retusa, Toona ciliata and Boehmeria spp. Shrubs are dominated by Rubus spp., Woodfordia fruticosa and Holmskioldia sanguinea, although there is evidence of the increasing influx of the exotic Lantana camara and Ageratina adenophorum. Flowers are dependent on season, but in the winter Strobilanthes atropurpurea, Rumex hastata and Inula cuspidata are common. Didymocarpus spp., Begonia spp. are found in the monsoon, among plenty others.
The diversity of birds here is immense and this region is recognized local hotspot for bird diversity. Mountain Bulbuls, Long-tailed Broadbills, Nepal Cupwing and Chestnut-bellied Tesia are some interesting species that may be encountered.
The area has Leopard, Muntjak, Goral and Yellow-throated Marten, and Himalayan Black Bear has been reported.

Shared By:

Suniti Bhushan Datta

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  5.0 from 1 vote

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in Dehradun

#1962

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  5.0 from 1 vote
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Photos

Gravel-surfaced top of the initial steep section of the Rajpur-Jharipani Hiking Trail. The Rispana river catchment and eastern Doon Valley visible beyond.
Aug 7, 2021 near Mussoorie, IN
A waterfall on the Rispana river at the second bridge while descending the gorge.
Nov 27, 2021 near Mussoorie, IN
One of several series of cascades along the upper Rispana river.
Nov 27, 2021 near Mussoorie, IN
The narrow trail, where it passes through beautiful hill forest. The Rispana river is on the right and below, just out of the frame.
Nov 27, 2021 near Mussoorie, IN
The Rispana river shortly before it descends into the gorge. The path upstream leads to a village called Talainigad.
Nov 27, 2021 near Mussoorie, IN
The forested path that descends from the Rajpur-Jharipani/Kipling Trail to converge with the Rispana river.
Nov 27, 2021 near Mussoorie, IN

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