Cycling MTB Nainatal
Kunjakharak (Nainatal) -- Camp Corbett (Kaladhungi)
Kunjakharak is approx. a 6 ½ to 7 hour drive from New Delhi. Go out past Nizammudin Bridge (bypass Ghaziabad) onto 24 until Moradabad (take bypass), then left up to Thakurdwara, Kashipur, down 74 and up to Bazpur, then past Kaladhungi lies Camp Corbett on the left. Continue up to Nainital, and the turning to Kunjakharak is about 2 kms from Nainital (at Bara Pathar), go on this paved road 12.5 kms, take a steep left up to Mountain Quail Lodge (MQL) (if you’re now on dirt road you’ve gone too far).
Where to stay:
MQL hosts Sid and Choti Anand are very knowledgeable, resourceful, friendly. The Anands can also organize treks, fishing expeditions, motorcycle rides to Nepal, whatever you are interested in, and also work with corporates and school kids. They are great adventurers themselves so have first hand knowledge of what they organize. Full board is 3400 rupees/day/double and Rs.2400/single in comfortable rooms and 2700/- rupees/ double/day and 1800/- for a single in tents, very good value. There is electricity, but no phones, and nearest cellphone signal is a 3 km walk. Although cold In Jan/Feb (superb views of the Himalayas), and wet during the monsoon (lots of rain and leeches), MQL is open for the adventurous!
09411320948/ 098370 77537, 094126 79723, blazeatrail@hotmail.com, info@blazeatraiadventuresl.com, www.blazeatrailadventures.com
About 1.5 kms from Kaladhungi, lies Camp Corbett, a very relaxing place to stay right on the edge of the Corbett/ Bhabar protected forest. CC is a beguiling spot and famous worldwide for birdwatchers -- while I was there my fellow guest Chris had been there 6 weeks and Henning 3 months – Chris had spotted over 300 bird species! Also some larger game, a resident but hard to spot tiger, leopard, elephant etc. Hosts Suman and Ome Anand (Sid’s parents) have been running CC since the 80s, are very friendly and helpful, and are deeply engaged in preserving the habitat and working with the local community. Full board p.p. at CC is same as MQL – and includes one bird or game walk per day. A very good value.
Contact: 91-5942-242126/242277; 09411323581
Cycle Routes (see map attached):
(1) MQL to Kunjakharak 24.9 kms one way, gentle to moderate slope, starting at 2000 meters, gaining a total of 700 meters, on a well maintained dirt road. Very light traffic, and once you are past the last village, Binayak and into the protected forest, perhaps one vehicle per hour will pass by. Pangot village is mostly Pandits, and Ghughukhan and Binayak villages mostly scheduled castes; especially in the latter villages people are friendly.
The road goes through unspoilt Himalayan forest of rhododendrons, oaks, maples, pines, etc. spectacularly beautiful. Good birding – sunbirds, blue whistling thrush, black eagle, honey buzzard, etc.
If the weather is clear, you’ll get a panoramic view of the Kumaon Himalayan range. I was not lucky – it was covered with mist and clouds even at 06:30 – but in Oct/Nov or Feb/Mar weather supposed to be clearer.
From the Kunjakharak forest lodge, there is a pony/game trail up to a watchtower, and behind the watchtower it drops down to the valley below. This would be a bit technical for a MTB but a lovely walk.
This route is so beautiful I did it three times, one of the times I walked about 12 kms with binoculars and spotted dozens of Himalayan foothill birds.
(2) MQL loop, via Ratighat, Bhowali, Bhimtal, Nainatal with side trop to Sat Tal, total loop about 80kms (I did not do this route).
About 0.7 kms from MQL is Pangot village, to the right a trail drops to Ratighat (10 kms), this is on a Jeep trail that may shrink down to a pony trail and become rough. At Ratighat follow road to Bhowali, then to Bhimtal. On the way you can side trip to the lakes at Sai Tal,. and then to Bhowali and to Nainital, to MQL via (Bara Pathar ) and along Kunjakharak road.
The climb back to Nainatal is over 1,000 meters.
(3) MQL to Camp Corbett via Dechhauri, 30 kms one way (I did not do this route)
About 0.7 kms from MQL is Pangot village, to the left a trail drops to Delahauri (18kms), this is on a jeep trail that is subject to rock slides, and shrinks down to a pony trail that becomes rough, rocky, and reportedly in parts technical. From Delahauri tarmac road through Moosabanger, bridge over the Boar river to Choti Haldwani, take Nainatal road (across from Jim Corbett museum).
(4) MQL to CC via Nainatal and Mangoli (43.6 kms one way).
A moderate to steep climb up 6.3 kms from MQL towards Nainital, gentle for another 1.5 km, then drop down about 5 kms to Nainatal road junction.
From this junction (Bara Pathar), it’s a steep drop down (1400 metres) about 30 kms to CC.
This route is all tarmac, would be a lot of fun with a road bike. The only problem is traffic – which wasn’t too heavy in mid April – but drivers are inconsiderate.
(5a) CC to via Kotabagh -- Pawalgarh – to Belpauri (39 kms one way)
From CC right towards Kaladhungi, right at Jim Corbett Museum past Boar River bridge, right again for road up to Kotabagh via Moosabanger, then kms down to Belparao.
This route is all tarmac in excellent condition, gentle to moderate climb up from forest entrance to Kotabagh (17 kms), and then gentle to moderate drops down to Belpauri (18 kms) and would be a lot of fun with a road bike. Traffic was very light. The villages are very clean and peaceful, and the area seems to specialize in growing onions. You ride along below the foothills of the Kumaon.
(5b) CC to Ramnagar via Sanadnigaja Glade, Pawalgarh, Sitabani, and Ramnagar (50 kms one way). I did only about 5 kms one way of this route due to sloppy conditions.
From CC right towards Kaladhungi, right at Jim Corbett Museum past Boar River bridge, right again for road up to Kotabagh, at 5.51 kms from CC take the dirt road on the left, right next to a large stone wall, and this goes 45 kms to Ramnagar.
This dirt road goes through the beautifully peaceful Corbett Bhabar and terai forest. Lots of birds (hornbills, barbets, raptors, sunbirds, etc). There was no traffic whatsoever. Initially well maintained, after a couple of kms the road gets rocky, nothing technical (but if you have a loaded, seat-mounted rack it really starts to swivel around). The trail was very muddy the day I went on this so I turned back.
According to Jim Corbett, Sanadnigaja Glade has some of the best bird watching in the area. Sitabani has a famous forest temple.
Map attached
Kunjakharak is approx. a 6 ½ to 7 hour drive from New Delhi. Go out past Nizammudin Bridge (bypass Ghaziabad) onto 24 until Moradabad (take bypass), then left up to Thakurdwara, Kashipur, down 74 and up to Bazpur, then past Kaladhungi lies Camp Corbett on the left. Continue up to Nainital, and the turning to Kunjakharak is about 2 kms from Nainital (at Bara Pathar), go on this paved road 12.5 kms, take a steep left up to Mountain Quail Lodge (MQL) (if you’re now on dirt road you’ve gone too far).
Where to stay:
MQL hosts Sid and Choti Anand are very knowledgeable, resourceful, friendly. The Anands can also organize treks, fishing expeditions, motorcycle rides to Nepal, whatever you are interested in, and also work with corporates and school kids. They are great adventurers themselves so have first hand knowledge of what they organize. Full board is 3400 rupees/day/double and Rs.2400/single in comfortable rooms and 2700/- rupees/ double/day and 1800/- for a single in tents, very good value. There is electricity, but no phones, and nearest cellphone signal is a 3 km walk. Although cold In Jan/Feb (superb views of the Himalayas), and wet during the monsoon (lots of rain and leeches), MQL is open for the adventurous!
09411320948/ 098370 77537, 094126 79723, blazeatrail@hotmail.com, info@blazeatraiadventuresl.com, www.blazeatrailadventures.com
About 1.5 kms from Kaladhungi, lies Camp Corbett, a very relaxing place to stay right on the edge of the Corbett/ Bhabar protected forest. CC is a beguiling spot and famous worldwide for birdwatchers -- while I was there my fellow guest Chris had been there 6 weeks and Henning 3 months – Chris had spotted over 300 bird species! Also some larger game, a resident but hard to spot tiger, leopard, elephant etc. Hosts Suman and Ome Anand (Sid’s parents) have been running CC since the 80s, are very friendly and helpful, and are deeply engaged in preserving the habitat and working with the local community. Full board p.p. at CC is same as MQL – and includes one bird or game walk per day. A very good value.
Contact: 91-5942-242126/242277; 09411323581
Cycle Routes (see map attached):
(1) MQL to Kunjakharak 24.9 kms one way, gentle to moderate slope, starting at 2000 meters, gaining a total of 700 meters, on a well maintained dirt road. Very light traffic, and once you are past the last village, Binayak and into the protected forest, perhaps one vehicle per hour will pass by. Pangot village is mostly Pandits, and Ghughukhan and Binayak villages mostly scheduled castes; especially in the latter villages people are friendly.
The road goes through unspoilt Himalayan forest of rhododendrons, oaks, maples, pines, etc. spectacularly beautiful. Good birding – sunbirds, blue whistling thrush, black eagle, honey buzzard, etc.
If the weather is clear, you’ll get a panoramic view of the Kumaon Himalayan range. I was not lucky – it was covered with mist and clouds even at 06:30 – but in Oct/Nov or Feb/Mar weather supposed to be clearer.
From the Kunjakharak forest lodge, there is a pony/game trail up to a watchtower, and behind the watchtower it drops down to the valley below. This would be a bit technical for a MTB but a lovely walk.
This route is so beautiful I did it three times, one of the times I walked about 12 kms with binoculars and spotted dozens of Himalayan foothill birds.
(2) MQL loop, via Ratighat, Bhowali, Bhimtal, Nainatal with side trop to Sat Tal, total loop about 80kms (I did not do this route).
About 0.7 kms from MQL is Pangot village, to the right a trail drops to Ratighat (10 kms), this is on a Jeep trail that may shrink down to a pony trail and become rough. At Ratighat follow road to Bhowali, then to Bhimtal. On the way you can side trip to the lakes at Sai Tal,. and then to Bhowali and to Nainital, to MQL via (Bara Pathar ) and along Kunjakharak road.
The climb back to Nainatal is over 1,000 meters.
(3) MQL to Camp Corbett via Dechhauri, 30 kms one way (I did not do this route)
About 0.7 kms from MQL is Pangot village, to the left a trail drops to Delahauri (18kms), this is on a jeep trail that is subject to rock slides, and shrinks down to a pony trail that becomes rough, rocky, and reportedly in parts technical. From Delahauri tarmac road through Moosabanger, bridge over the Boar river to Choti Haldwani, take Nainatal road (across from Jim Corbett museum).
(4) MQL to CC via Nainatal and Mangoli (43.6 kms one way).
A moderate to steep climb up 6.3 kms from MQL towards Nainital, gentle for another 1.5 km, then drop down about 5 kms to Nainatal road junction.
From this junction (Bara Pathar), it’s a steep drop down (1400 metres) about 30 kms to CC.
This route is all tarmac, would be a lot of fun with a road bike. The only problem is traffic – which wasn’t too heavy in mid April – but drivers are inconsiderate.
(5a) CC to via Kotabagh -- Pawalgarh – to Belpauri (39 kms one way)
From CC right towards Kaladhungi, right at Jim Corbett Museum past Boar River bridge, right again for road up to Kotabagh via Moosabanger, then kms down to Belparao.
This route is all tarmac in excellent condition, gentle to moderate climb up from forest entrance to Kotabagh (17 kms), and then gentle to moderate drops down to Belpauri (18 kms) and would be a lot of fun with a road bike. Traffic was very light. The villages are very clean and peaceful, and the area seems to specialize in growing onions. You ride along below the foothills of the Kumaon.
(5b) CC to Ramnagar via Sanadnigaja Glade, Pawalgarh, Sitabani, and Ramnagar (50 kms one way). I did only about 5 kms one way of this route due to sloppy conditions.
From CC right towards Kaladhungi, right at Jim Corbett Museum past Boar River bridge, right again for road up to Kotabagh, at 5.51 kms from CC take the dirt road on the left, right next to a large stone wall, and this goes 45 kms to Ramnagar.
This dirt road goes through the beautifully peaceful Corbett Bhabar and terai forest. Lots of birds (hornbills, barbets, raptors, sunbirds, etc). There was no traffic whatsoever. Initially well maintained, after a couple of kms the road gets rocky, nothing technical (but if you have a loaded, seat-mounted rack it really starts to swivel around). The trail was very muddy the day I went on this so I turned back.
According to Jim Corbett, Sanadnigaja Glade has some of the best bird watching in the area. Sitabani has a famous forest temple.
Map attached
Attached Images 
Last edited by machadinha; Apr 23rd, 2007 at 10:19..
Reason: merged posts
Quote:
Is MQL, the only place to stay in Kunjakharak. i assume height of this place is 2000 meters.
Originally Posted by Tall Rock 
Kunjakharak (Nainatal) -- Camp Corbett (Kaladhungi)
Kunjakharak is approx. a 6 ½ to 7 hour drive from New Delhi. Go out past Nizammudin Bridge (bypass Ghaziabad) onto 24 until Moradabad (take bypass), then left up to Thakurdwara, Kashipur, down 74 and up to Bazpur, then past Kaladhungi lies Camp Corbett on the left. Continue up to Nainital, and the turning to Kunjakharak is about 2 kms from Nainital (at Bara Pathar), go on this paved road 12.5 kms, take a steep left up to Mountain Quail Lodge (MQL) (if you’re now on dirt road you’ve gone too far).
Map attached
Kunjakharak (Nainatal) -- Camp Corbett (Kaladhungi)Kunjakharak is approx. a 6 ½ to 7 hour drive from New Delhi. Go out past Nizammudin Bridge (bypass Ghaziabad) onto 24 until Moradabad (take bypass), then left up to Thakurdwara, Kashipur, down 74 and up to Bazpur, then past Kaladhungi lies Camp Corbett on the left. Continue up to Nainital, and the turning to Kunjakharak is about 2 kms from Nainital (at Bara Pathar), go on this paved road 12.5 kms, take a steep left up to Mountain Quail Lodge (MQL) (if you’re now on dirt road you’ve gone too far).
Map attached
MQL is at Pangot, as also shown in the map by OP. Here's their link:
http://www.blazeatrailadventures.com/quail.html
http://www.blazeatrailadventures.com/quail.html
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