Whether you are a history buff, a culture enthusiast, a nature lover, a spiritualist or a solo traveller, Mount Abu has something to offer everyone. Mount Abu’s list of attractions is virtually endless: picturesque landscapes, marvellous architectural heritage, centuries-old traditional art and craft, and myriad culinary delights.
The Swami Vivekanand Institute of Mountaineering offers various short-term courses for rock climbing and mountaineering. Gurushikhar, the highest peak of the Aravalli at 1,722 metres (5,650 feet), for breathtaking green panoramas, the Trevor’s Tank Nature trail, Bailey’s walk, Tiger path or Craig’s path nature trail are a few immensely popular trekking routes. Lasting about two to three hours at a time, depending on the individual’s stamina and speed, these adventure hotspots make for a set of thrilling anecdotes for the curious. We picked out Craig’s path for this one:
Craig’s path nature trail
The trek begins near Adhar Devi Temple, just 2 kilometres away from the main market area in Mount Abu. Walking on the stone pathway for a half hour or so brings you to a rock formation that looks like a giant half-supine human—a beautiful example of natural carving on stones by decades of wind and rain.
As you walk along, the path becomes narrower and steeper, its edges taken over by thorny shrubs like koronda and other grasses. The rocks turn slippery, making conditions underfoot a bit difficult. One must climb upward to reach a higher point, an open yard with a smooth stone floor, right by some natural caves. This point has a spectacular view of Mount Abu and Nakki Lake, making it a perfect resting spot before going on.
Travelling further to the west toward sunset point or Craig’s Point, a giant cliff, overlooking the panoramic view of the valley leads to a surreal sunset with an ever-changing soundtrack of the forest.
Camping Trip to Kumbhalgarh
If you are looking for some extra thrills and adrenaline rushes, the eponymous adventure park and camping trails near the iconic Kumbhalgarh fort are just about a two-hour drive from Udaipur. One can go zip-lining and try their hand at archery here. There is a short and a long zip line on offer along with quality facilities for archery, target shooting, sky cycle and several rope courses. The longest zip line is around 800 metres (to and fro), rising to a height of almost 300 feet from the ground towards the middle.
Dos and don’ts
- Pack sports or trekking shoes with good grip.
- Wear comfortable cotton clothes, preferably with full sleeves, and a hat.
- Avoid bright colours. Green, khaki or camouflage clothes are the best.
- Carry enough water, health drinks, dried fruit or some food to keep yourself hydrated and energised.
- Keep your phone and camera handy, and be alert to the possibility of wild animals being sighted any moment.
- It is inadvisable to try the above without a registered guide.
Best Time
October-February. Early morning and evening, although Mount Abu can be visited round the year. In the summer months, wild fruits such as mangoes, karonda or black currant are available along trek routes.
Adventure Deals
- ₹500 onwards per person per activity (Mount Abu)
- ₹200-750 per person per activity (Kumbhalgarh)
Mount Abu Guides: Harsh (9983204776), Manish (9879174905)
Kumbhalgarh Guides: Udaibhan Singh (9899094415)