Pin valley: Spiti's quiet side valley, where the road ends at Mudh
South of Dhankar, the Pin river opens a long valley of striped rock, green fields and small villages, protected as a national park — the end point of two famous treks and one of the best places in Spiti to see ibex.
- 1987 national park set up
- ~50 km Kaza → Mudh
- ~3,800 m Mudh village
- Jun–Oct best months
Photo: Vishrutpanday, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
The Pin valley is a side valley of Spiti that meets the Spiti river below Dhankar; the road runs about 50 km from Kaza to Mudh, the last village, at about 3,800 m. Much of the valley is Pin Valley National Park, set up in 1987 to protect the Siberian ibex and the snow leopard. On the way you pass the Kungri monastery near Gulling, the main monastery of the Nyingma school in Spiti. Mudh has homestays, wide fields and walks along the river, and is the end point of the Pin–Parvati trek from the Parvati valley and the Pin–Bhaba trek from Kinnaur. Visit from June to October; in winter the valley is snowbound and very cold.
- WhereSouth of the Spiti river, joining it below Dhankar near Attargo.
- DistancesKaza → Gulling ~35 km → Mudh ~15 km more; Dhankar → Gulling ~25 km.
- WildlifeSiberian ibex, blue sheep, red fox; snow leopards in winter.
- TreksPin–Parvati (from Kasol side) and Pin–Bhaba (from Kafnu) end at Mudh.
- Best monthsJune – October.
Kaza and Tabo weather today
Mudh is a little higher than Kaza; nights are cold even in summer. Current temperature and the next days’ high, low and snow.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
What to see in the Pin valley
The road leaves the Spiti valley near the Attargo bridge, where the Pin river joins the Spiti, and follows the Pin upstream past Gulling, Sagnam and smaller villages. The mountains here are striped and folded in pink, grey and ochre bands — a geologist’s dream, and one of the most photographed landscapes in Spiti.
Near Gulling, the Kungri monastery is the main monastery of the Nyingma school in Spiti; the valley is also known for its Buchen, wandering lamas who perform traditional plays. At the end of the road, Mudh is a cluster of houses and homestays among wide barley fields, with easy walks along the river and up to viewpoints.
Pin Valley National Park
Pin Valley National Park was set up in 1987 and covers the high slopes of the Pin and its side valleys, next to other protected areas of Kinnaur and Kullu to the south. It is known for the Siberian ibex, and also has blue sheep, red fox, Himalayan snowcock and the snow leopard, which comes lower in winter.
Stay on paths, keep away from grazing animals, and carry your rubbish back out — the park has no waste collection.
| Season | Pin valley | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| May | Snow melting; road may still be rough | Quiet; check road status |
| June – September | Mild days, cold nights | Fields green; treks arrive at Mudh |
| October | Clear and cold | Golden fields; few visitors |
| November – April | Snowbound, very cold | Only for winter wildlife trips with locals |
How to reach Mudh and the Pin valley
From Kaza, drive down the Spiti valley towards Tabo, cross to the Pin side near Attargo, and follow the valley road to Mudh — about 50 km, 2–2.5 hours. From Dhankar or Tabo it is closer. Reach Spiti via Shimla and Kinnaur, or via Manali in summer — see Spiti via Shimla or Manali.
Trekkers arriving over the Pin–Parvati or Pin–Bhaba passes can be met at Mudh with a car to Kaza or onward — tell us your expected date.
The Pin valley in pictures
The Pin river, Mudh village, the folded mountains and the animals of the valley — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Around the Pin valley
Combine the Pin valley with these.
Our Spiti trips
Homestays or hotels, meals and a private car with a mountain driver — one written quote.
Planning the Pin valley?
Tell us your dates and group, or the date your trek reaches Mudh. We plan the route with time to acclimatise and send one written quote with stays, meals and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
Pin valley: frequently asked questions
How far is Mudh from Kaza?
About 50 km, roughly 2–2.5 hours by road.
When was Pin Valley National Park set up?
In 1987.
What animals live in Pin Valley National Park?
Siberian ibex, blue sheep, red fox, Himalayan snowcock and, in winter, snow leopards.
Which treks end at Mudh?
The Pin–Parvati pass trek from the Parvati valley and the Pin–Bhaba pass trek from Kafnu in Kinnaur.
Can I stay in Mudh?
Yes, there are simple homestays and guesthouses.
When is the best time to visit the Pin valley?
June to October; in winter the valley is snowbound and very cold.
Sources
Photo credits
Pin Valley National Park — Photo: Vishrutpanday, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mudh village — Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Pin valley — Photo: Vishrutpanday, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Pin river — Photo: Vishrutpanday, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Pin river at Sagnam — Photo: Rupak Sarkar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Horses at Mudh — Photo: Rakesh.5suthar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · A yak in the Pin valley — Photo: Marsmux, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Folded rock above Mudh — Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Pin river near Mikkim — Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0
