LOCATION: SURAJKUND, FARIDABAD
A 4-hour trek from Delhi apt for beginners and families
Trekking is not a popular sport in Delhi despite its proximity to few of the most lovely treks in India, such as this one. This jungle trail is laid out in the ecologically fragile Aravali Hills. It’s a simple trek, apt for families who want a few hours out of the urban landscape.
Delhi is surrounded by a large, surviving remnant of Aravali hills. This forested Delhi ridge comes under the protection of Asola Wildlife Sanctuary. The semi arid forest has some of the most adventurous and least-trodden-upon nature trails. They make for interesting day hikes. The exhilaration of trekking through a semi arid jungle trail, with a chance to site a wild leopard, is good enough to get you on your feet and set you off.
The long desolate nature trail takes you to a man-made lake inside the sanctuary. The lake is a result of mining inside the sanctuary years ago. Nearby, there are eight more lakes. Lake 7 is the largest of all and sits snug amidst huge rocky carvings of Aravali hills. The blue lake is a pretty sight for urban dwellers. The view of the sun rising and setting over the lake is said to be the most peaceful sight in the capital.
How to do the Trek
The total distance of the Death Valley is around eight kilometres. It takes about 3-4 hours to cover this distance. It takes an hour and a half to reach the start of the trek from Kashmiri Gate metro station.
The trail starts exactly opposite to the college of traffic management. The trail is also called Pali Road and it ends at Gurgaon. However, locals there don’t know much about Bhardwaj lake, although they know about other lakes around the region.
The path to the lake is easily approachable. There is no need for a GPS device to track the trail to the lake. However, if your plan is to explore side trails and other lakes, a GPS device will be handy. The first few hundred metres of the trail take you through a level red sand dust trail. Hike on this trail until it bifurcates into two. Take the trail going straight ahead. It runs past a secluded house towards your right. Observe a lake (Lake 1) towards your left. It is a large expansion of muddy water. Continue on the same route, which now passes a series of dried and semi dried lakes.
Staying true to the trail, keep walking till you find second secluded house on the left of the trail. The trail now splits further into two. Take the one that stretches straight ahead, ignoring the one heading right. Keep walking along the trail. Avoid taking any side trails on the way. Ahead of you, look for two lakes that can be seen from a distance. The lake on your left is Death Valley lake. The one on your right is Bhardwaj lake.
Walk towards last lake. There are multiple trails that take you to the lake’s shore. The lake is large and beautiful. The water is surprisingly clear and abundant with fresh water fishes.
You can spend the day here. Trace the same route to return.
You can spend the day here. Trace the same route to return.
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