Nag Tibba

Nag Tibba, the Serpent's Peak, rises to 3,022 metres in the lower Garhwal Himalaya north of Mussoorie, crowned by a small shrine to the local snake deity Nag Devta. From the summit ridge the snowbound giants of Bandarpunch, Swargarohini, Kedarnath and the Gangotri group line the northern skyline.

Its draw is accessibility: it is among the easiest genuine Himalayan viewpoints to reach, walkable in a single weekend from Delhi or Dehradun. Dense oak and rhododendron forest, shepherds' clearings and an open meadow camp give it the feel of a proper mountain outing without the commitment of a long expedition.

On the trail the classic route climbs from Pantwari village to a forest campsite and on to the summit, taking about two days round trip, with a longer descent option toward Devalsari. Graded easy, it is a popular first trek and a fine winter snow walk, though the final stretch can be icy and the temperature drops sharply after dusk.

Practical notes: no special permit is needed and the trek can be done independently, though a local guide helps in snow. It is walkable almost year-round; December to February brings reliable snow for beginners, while spring and autumn offer green forest and the clearest panoramas of the high peaks.