Barot Valley, Himachal: How to Reach, Things to Do, Trout Fishing and Best Time (2026)

Updated: November 2026

Short answer: Barot is a quiet village at about 1,820 m on the Uhl river in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, about 65 km from Mandi and 40 km from Jogindernagar. People go for the river and the Uhl reservoir, the government trout farm, the old haulage trolley line built for the Shanan hydel project, the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary across the river, and walks to Lohardi, Rulling and Rajgundha. Plan two nights. The best months are March to June and September to November; trout fishing is closed from 1 November to the end of February, and nights are very cold in winter.

Where is Barot valley, and why go?

Barot sits in a narrow valley cut by the Uhl river, with the Dhauladhar range on one side and the forests of the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary on the other. It was a remote village until the 1920s, when engineers chose it for the Shanan hydro-electric project. A diversion dam was commissioned in 1932, and a tunnel still carries Uhl water from Barot to the Shanan power house at Jogindernagar. A road reached Barot only in 1975.

That history gives Barot its look: a small reservoir and barrage in the middle of the village, a steel haulage line running up the hill, and a valley that never became a resort town. There are no malls, no traffic jams and no big hotels. Visitors come to slow down, walk, fish in season and sit by the river. If you want snow play, cafes and nightlife, Manali or Kasol will suit you better.

How do you reach Barot?

The last stretch from Ghatasani is a narrow mountain road, slow but scenic. Public buses link Barot with Mandi, Jogindernagar and Palampur. There is no petrol pump in Barot, so fill the tank at Mandi or Jogindernagar, and draw cash before you leave: the nearest ATM reported is at Tikkan, about 12 km away.

What are the best things to do in Barot?

Can you go trout fishing in Barot?

Yes, from 1 March to 31 October. The Uhl and its tributary the Lambadug are listed trout streams, and a government trout farm sits in the village; 15,000 brown trout fingerlings were released into the Lambadug in March 2025. From 1 November to the last day of February, natural trout rivers in Himachal are closed for breeding, so a November–February visit is for walks and quiet, not angling.

You need a Fisheries Department licence for the stretch you fish, carried with photo ID; reported fees are modest, but check locally. Only spoons and flies are allowed, there is a daily bag limit, and undersized fish must go back. Our trout fishing in Himachal page covers the rules, the other streams and how we arrange licence, guide and stay together.

Which treks start from Barot?

• Rajgundha and Billing: the meadow village of Rajgundha sits between Barot and Bir. In 2026 it is most easily reached on foot from Billing, about 12 km and 5–6 hours; road links from the Barot side were reported closed this year, so check locally before planning a through-route.
• Dehnasar Lake: a high lake reached from Lohardi via Polling; a serious trek for summer and early autumn only.
• Bara Bhangal via Thamsar Pass: a long, remote expedition route over the Dhauladhar; go only with an experienced local team.
• Through Nargu to Kullu: a forest route across the sanctuary towards the Kullu side.

For anything beyond a day walk, hire a local guide, carry warm layers even in summer, and tell your homestay your route; phone signal disappears quickly above the valley.

When is the best time to visit Barot?

Where should you stay in Barot?

Barot has homestays, small guest houses and government rest houses rather than hotels. Homestays start from about ₹800 a night on recent listings (October 2026), usually with home-cooked meals. Expect clean, warm rooms and slow Wi-Fi, not room service. In winter, ask whether rooms have heaters and hot water before you book. Campsites along the river open in the warmer months.

How do you fit Barot into a Himachal trip?

• Manali or Kullu + Barot: Mandi is on the Chandigarh–Manali highway, so Barot is a 65 km detour from Mandi. One or two nights here break the long drive. See our Manali itinerary.
• Bir + Barot: pair a tandem flight at Bir Billing with river days at Barot; see paragliding in Bir Billing and things to do in Bir Billing.
• Dharamshala + Bir + Barot: a slow Kangra–Mandi loop; see Dharamshala tourist places.
• Other quiet valleys: if you like Barot, you’ll like Jibhi and Tirthan; our offbeat Himachal guide compares eight of them.

We don’t sell a fixed Barot package; we add it to a Himachal tour package and quote it to your dates.

What this means for your trip

Go to Barot for two nights between March and June or in September–October, when the valley is green or golden, the roads are open and the trout season is on. In winter it is still reachable and beautiful, but very cold and with no fishing. Fill up fuel and draw cash at Mandi, book a homestay that serves meals, and pair Barot with Manali, Bir or Dharamshala rather than making it a trip on its own from Delhi.

Barot valley: frequently asked questions

Where is Barot valley located?

Barot is in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, in the valley of the Uhl river below the Dhauladhar range, at about 1,820 m. It is about 65 km from Mandi and 40 km from Jogindernagar, reached via Ghatasani and Jhatingri.

How far is Barot from Delhi and Chandigarh?

About 500–530 km from Delhi, roughly 10–14 hours by road, and about 270 km from Chandigarh. Most travellers break the journey at Mandi or combine Barot with Manali, Bir or Dharamshala.

Is Barot worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a quiet river valley with walks, trout fishing in season and village homestays. It has no malls, nightlife or snow-play parks, so travellers looking for those will prefer Manali or Kasol.

Can I go trout fishing in Barot in winter?

No. Trout fishing on Himachal’s natural rivers, including the Uhl at Barot, is allowed from 1 March to 31 October with a Fisheries Department licence. It is closed for breeding from 1 November to the end of February.

Does Barot get snow?

Snow is possible in mid-winter, more so on the slopes above the village and towards Lohardi, but it is not reliable. Barot is usually reachable in winter, though nights are very cold. For dependable snow, Manali’s Solang and Sissu are better bets.

Is there a petrol pump or ATM in Barot?

There is no petrol pump in Barot; the nearest are at Mandi and Jogindernagar. The nearest ATM reported is at Tikkan, about 12 km away, so carry cash. BSNL and Airtel networks work best in the valley.

How many days are enough for Barot?

Two nights is ideal: one day for the river, trout farm and trolley line, and one for a walk to Lohardi, Rulling or into the Nargu forest. Add a night if you are fishing or trekking.