Bhagsu and Dharamkot: a waterfall, an old temple and the café village above McLeod
The two easiest walks from McLeod Ganj: east to the Bhagsunag temple and its waterfall, and uphill to Dharamkot, where the Triund trail begins.
- ~2 km McLeod → Bhagsu
- ~3 km McLeod → Dharamkot
- ~1 km temple → waterfall
- ~9 km Dharamkot → Triund
Photo: Anand shankar sarkar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
Bhagsu is about 2 km east of McLeod Ganj: a road and footpath lead to the Bhagsunag temple, an old Shiva temple with spring-fed bathing pools, and from there an easy paved path of about 1 km climbs to the Bhagsu waterfall. The falls are fullest in the monsoon (July–September) and a thin stream in winter. Dharamkot sits higher on the ridge, about 3 km from McLeod by road or a steep footpath from Bhagsu — a village of guesthouses, cafés and yoga and meditation centres, and the usual start of the Triund trek (about 9 km one way via Galu Devi temple). Plan half a day for Bhagsu, a relaxed day for Dharamkot, and an early start for Triund. Snow sometimes reaches Dharamkot in January–February; Triund gets snow most winters.
- BhagsuTemple ~2 km from McLeod; waterfall ~1 km beyond the temple.
- Dharamkot~3 km above McLeod; footpath link from Bhagsu.
- Triund~9 km one way from Dharamkot via Galu Devi (about 2,850 m at the top).
- Best monthsMarch – June and September – November; waterfall fullest July – September.
- WinterCold; snow sometimes reaches Dharamkot, regularly at Triund.
McLeod Ganj and Triund weather today
Bhagsu is at McLeod Ganj’s height; Dharamkot a little higher; Triund much higher and colder. Current temperature and the next days’ high, low, rain and snow.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
Bhagsunag temple and Bhagsu waterfall
The Bhagsunag temple is dedicated to Shiva and to the local serpent deity Bhagsu Nag. Its open-air pools are fed by a spring and are still used for bathing by pilgrims. The temple is open from early morning to evening and there is no entry fee.
From the temple a paved path of about 1 km leads to the waterfall, past cafés and painted stones. It is an easy walk of 20–30 minutes; the rocks near the falls are slippery, especially in the monsoon, when the flow is strongest. In winter the falls are much smaller but the path is quiet.
Dharamkot: cafés, courses and the start of Triund
Dharamkot is a small village on the ridge above McLeod and Bhagsu, popular with backpackers and long-stay travellers for its cafés, guesthouses and yoga, meditation and Buddhist courses. Cars can reach it by road from McLeod; on foot, a steep path climbs from Bhagsu.
From the upper end of Dharamkot, the trail to Triund climbs about 9 km through forest via the Galu Devi temple to a grassy ridge at about 2,850 m facing the Dhauladhar. Most people do it as a long day walk; many stay overnight in season. See Triund weather before you go, and avoid the climb after fresh snow without a local guide.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLeod → Bhagsunag temple | ~2 km | 30–40 min | Easy |
| Temple → Bhagsu waterfall | ~1 km | 20–30 min | Easy |
| Bhagsu → Dharamkot | ~1.5 km | 40–60 min | Steep |
| Dharamkot → Triund | ~9 km | 4–5 h up | Moderate |
How to reach Bhagsu and Dharamkot
Both are above McLeod Ganj, about 10 km above Dharamshala. From Delhi it is about 480 km by road (overnight buses run to McLeod) — or take our Delhi to Dharamshala taxi. The nearest airport is Gaggal (Kangra), about 20 km from Dharamshala; the nearest broad-gauge railhead is Pathankot. See also Delhi to Dharamshala for foreign travellers.
Bhagsu and Dharamkot in pictures
The waterfall, the temple path, painted stones and the start of the Triund trail — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Around McLeod Ganj
Pair Bhagsu and Dharamkot with these.
Our Dharamshala and McLeod trips
Hotels, meals and a private car — one written quote.
Planning McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu or Triund?
Tell us your dates and group. We suggest where to stay — McLeod, Bhagsu or Dharamkot — check the weather for Triund, and send one written quote with hotel, meals and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
Bhagsu and Dharamkot: frequently asked questions
How far is Bhagsu waterfall from McLeod Ganj?
About 3 km in all: about 2 km to the Bhagsunag temple, then about 1 km on foot to the falls.
Is there an entry fee for Bhagsunag temple or the waterfall?
No entry fee is charged at the temple or the falls.
When is Bhagsu waterfall at its best?
In the monsoon, July to September, when the flow is strongest; take care on wet rocks.
How do I get from Bhagsu to Dharamkot?
By a steep footpath of about 1.5 km, or by road via McLeod Ganj.
Where does the Triund trek start?
Most people start from Dharamkot or the Galu Devi temple above it; it is about 9 km one way from Dharamkot.
Does it snow in Dharamkot?
Sometimes in January and February; Triund above gets snow most winters.
Sources
Photo credits
Bhagsu waterfall — Photo: Anand shankar sarkar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The falls in the forest — Photo: Bana1989, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The upper falls — Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Painted stones at Bhagsu — Photo: Satdeep Gill, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bhagsu Nag from the trail — Photo: Satdeep Gill, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The valley from Bhagsu — Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0 · The path to the falls — Photo: Ktoya, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Murals near Bhagsu — Photo: Gili Chupak, CC BY-SA 2.0 · A cairn on the Triund trail — Photo: Aleksandr Zykov, CC BY-SA 4.0
