1. Jalori Pass to Shoja (Old Forest Route)

Everyone talks about climbing Jalori, but few speak of the descent into Shoja — especially the path that cuts into the old forest route.

It’s narrow, sometimes crumbling, and runs under a canopy of thick deodars that swallow most of the light. Midway, there’s a wooden bridge that groans under your tyres. It creaked beneath me like it remembered every rider who passed before.

The forest here isn’t just green — it’s ancient. And when you switch off the engine, you can actually hear pine cones thudding onto the forest floor. Not loud. Just… intentional. Like nature gently applauding your courage to be here.

Pro Tip: Wear riding gloves with thermal lining and grip — I took a sharp dip in temperature around sunset, and slippery bark across the path can surprise you. I’ve been using the “Riding Gloves” from Custom Elements.

2. Chitkul to Rackcham Loop

Most riders blast through Chitkul with Kalpa in their crosshairs. But if you slow down and ask a local, they’ll mention a thread-thin loop from Chitkul to Rackcham — and that thread is where the magic lies.

The path snakes alongside the Baspa River, at times just inches from a sheer fall. It demands precision, patience, and throttle trust. One wrong twist, and you’re hugging air.

But in between those tense moments, you’ll ride through apple orchards painted red with ripe fruit, children waving from slate-roofed homes, and clouds that dip so low, you might think they’re resting on your helmet.

I stayed in second gear. Not because I had to — but because I wanted the ride to last longer.

Tip: Pack light — the loop doesn’t forgive bulky saddlebags when navigating rock edges. I switched to “Saddlebag” from Custom Elements — compact, secure, and just enough for the essentials without throwing off your balance.

3. Barot Valley via Lohardi

Most know Barot. Few speak of Lohardi.

Getting there feels like you’re gradually shedding layers of civilization. The trail turns from tarmac to stone to almost nothing — just a vague suggestion of a path that twists past shepherd homes, mossy boulders, and meadows stitched by invisible hands.

I reached Lohardi as the sky turned steel grey. Rain kissed the edges of the trail, not in anger, but in reminder. A reminder that not every road needs speed. Some demand stillness. Some trails aren’t meant to be conquered — only felt.

I took my boots off by the riverbank and just sat. Nothing to post. Nothing to prove.

Tip: Waterproof boots are essential here. But more than that, carry a lighter heart. This route challenges your soul, not your speed. This route challenges your soul, not your speed. It also challenges your gear — my “tank bag” from Custom Elements didn’t just survive the drizzle, it gave me one less thing to worry about while navigating those mossy bends.

 Final Thoughts from the Road

There’s a kind of ride where you chase destinations, ticking boxes, capturing reels. Then there’s this kind — where you don’t arrive, you just absorb.

These trails didn’t offer much in terms of fame or Insta-glory. But they offered me something else — the kind of clarity that only comes when you lose signal, lower your visor, and follow a road simply because it called you.

If you ever get the chance to ride in Himachal, don’t just follow the map. Follow the wind. The smell of chai. The sound of silence.

You might just find yourself where you were meant to be.

— Agastya Rawal

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