The proper hikes (1–4)
1) Naina Devi to Anandpur Sahib ridge — 6km, 400m ascent, panoramic Sutlej views. Start at 6am to beat the heat. 2) Takhni-Rehmapur wildlife sanctuary trail, Hoshiarpur — 8km loop through sal forest, best November to February. 3) Shivalik fossil trail near Chandigarh, Nada Sahib to Kansal — 5km with genuine palaeontology signage.
4) Morni Hills circuit — technically Haryana but the trailheads are 45 minutes from Chandigarh. Tikkar Taal lake loop is 7km and the only hike in the region with a proper cafe at the finish.
The walks (5–8)
5) Sukhna Lake to Kansal forest, Chandigarh — 4km paved, good for jet lag. 6) Ranjit Sagar Dam catchment, Pathankot — 10km if you go the full loop, mostly flat, birding is superb in January.
7) Harike wetland trail, Tarn Taran — 3km boardwalk, 200+ bird species logged. 8) Virasat-e-Khalsa museum grounds, Anandpur Sahib — cheating, but the terraced walk from town up to the museum is a legitimate 2km climb with the best views in central Punjab.
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