Jabarkhet Nature Reserve is a hidden gem of Mussoorie. I visited it on the walnut trail with JW Marriott Mussoorie. If you love to walk and if you enjoy nature Jaberkhet Nature Reserve is the place for you. They have a comprehensive official website where you can book your tickets online as well. They have driving instructions and much more. Do check it out.
The reserve has many well marked trails. If you wish to walk, you can cover more than one trail within a single day. The Airtel cell phones work from most of the times within the area.
Jabarkhet Nature Reserve is a private property which is open to public for exploration. Its ownership changed many hands throughout the history. The descendants of Mr. JP Jain own the reserve now. Mr. JP Jain was the pioneer who tried to keep the area preserved. The family now works in partnership with environmentalists and locals to protect the reserve.
The day we went there, we were blessed with a clear day. The views from the flag hill are truly beautiful. I can only imagine how beautiful it would be at sunset and sunrise! The first picture in this post is of Bander Punch, we were lucky to see the mountain so clearly. In fact we could see a range of mountains from the flag hill top.
It was not only the sweeping vistas that kept us hooked. The small things were equally fascinating. We regularly came across mushrooms, wild flowers, butterflies and such other small wonders of nature!
The walking trails are well marked within the reserve. How difficult are they? I personally found it easy but there were people who thought otherwise. Some found it tough, particularly getting downhill. However, it is doable by most people with average to poor fitness.
It would help to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
For part of the way, fallen leaves provided for a wonderful cushion under my feet. It was a pleasure walking on the track with the leaves- both for the colors and the ease!
Water bodies are the lifeline for the wild animals. Jabarkhet Nature Reserve has a few natural ones and some constructed ones. In the summer caretakers fill the waterholes to support the wildlife. They have a camera trap near this water body and it provides amazing insight into the behavior of animals that frequent the waterhole.
After a while I fell at the far end of the line in our group as I would stop and click every single thing that caught my interest.
And now that I chimp much more with my camera soon only I and the official photographer of the trip, Pratha were together. Everyone else was far far ahead!
While we enjoyed the walk and the photos we clicked for each-other, we had a few anxious moments locating others on the trail. In the end we made a phone call when we were about 250 meters behind them but lower on the trail!
Jabarkhet Nature Reserve was one of the best things to happen to me on the Walnut Trail organized by JW Marriott Mussoorie.
What a beautiful place! Stunning pictures. I loved the wild flowers 🙂
Thank you Purba, I love them too!
Awesome photographs of a stunning place.
Thank you Himanshu!
Love the photograph of the leaves and the top shot of the mushrooms!
Thank you Chaitali I love the tall mountains and the small things in equal measure!
my god, the first picture is stunning… and the fallen leaves look so beautiful…
its such a wow place… 🙂
Thank you Archana 😀
GREAT !!!! Thanks for this sharing
MRIDULA you have magic.
I have been to massourie so many times but never found such nice place. Very nice pictures with interesting story.
Thank you so much Sushil, the credit though for finding the place goes to JW Marriott Mussoorie. They had organized this trip for media.
Amazing Photographs of the Place.. Nice Presentation!
Thank you so much.
Mussoorie is so scenic. Living in such a reserve amidst nature is pure bliss.
Somali this is a hidden part of Mussoorie. 😀
Never heared before . Nice place
Thank you Manu.
Really a gem of nature and a very little known place . Thnx a lot Mridula ji for sharing so much unknown places with us .
Yogi I am also so happy with the find. 😀
Nice captures! very well taken.
Thank you.
Amazing place, Awesome photos.
Thanks for your post 🙂
Thank you.
Now I really want to go to these places being a nature lover…your captures creates interest.
Chaitali and it will look different in various seasons! I was told that in April rhododendrons would be in bloom. 😀
Looks like a lovely walk on the trail (: … nice mountain veiws as well.
Thank you 😀
Very beautiful place and amazing pictures.
Thank you Sadhvi.