As they say, sometimes the most beautiful thing hides in plain sight, oblivious to your attention, waiting to be discovered by those who seek. The town of Panchkula was such a discovery for me.

It was a couple of years ago after I had moved to Gurgaon with my job. I was fairly new to the region and by the time I settled in, I had explored all the popular hill stations around my city. While searching for a locale that will keep me away from the city’s monotony, yet is close enough for a day trip, I came across a blog on Panchkula. The vivid description of this district in Haryana attracted me enough to head out on a day tour.

The drive

Panchkula is roughly 290 Km from Gurgaon. Since I don’t drive, I thought of taking a cab. I managed to find a good cab service online called Savaari, which offers the cheapest rates for car rentals in Gurgaon. The total drive time via NH 44 was nearly 5 hours.

The town of Panchkula is yet another planned settlement like its neighbor Chandigarh. It was indeed refreshing to see cozy houses, surrounded by ample greenery, and clear skyline; a sight we often miss in the metros. Beelines of high rises were replaced with clean roads and massive gardens at almost every turn. It was early in the day and the morning routine of people was similar to any other city, only less rushed. While I was admiring the serenity of this quaint town, my cabbie asked me if I was headed to a particular place in Panchkula. On hearing that I had no fixed agenda, he suggested that I should explore the Morni Hills, right outside the town and volunteered to drop me.

A trek to Morni Hills

Morni Hills is a small hilly hamlet and the greenest part of the state. Perfect for trekking, hiking, and picnic, this lush green enclave at the foothills of the Shivalik Mountain Ranges is quite popular among locals and tourists alike. Once I was well inside the town, I could see why.

Dotted with ancient forts and residences, the place exuded an antiquated yet warm vibe. I headed towards the TikkarTaal, or commonly called the Morni Lake. The nature trail cuts through woodlands and clusters of alpine trees. The mountain air felt cool and rejuvenating, giving me a feeling of the Himalayas, without actually being in a Himalayan town. It was a long stroll to the lake, cutting through pine trees and herbaceous plants, often encountering the blue wild pheasants (which you can also find in Himachal and Uttarakhand) and jungle fowls. And then I was faced with two peahens scampering through the woods. I wondered if there were more and were the reason why the place got its name.

The trail ended on one side of the lake where the camping grounds are set up. This perennial water body is surrounded by forested hills on one side and vast grasslands on the other. There is a smaller lake on the other side of the hills. Hence this area is also called the Twin Lakes. I found a few fellow trekkers who had camped up on the banks and were enjoying the warm afternoon sun. Sitting there on the banks of the lake and musing over the scenic view felt rejuvenating and I was glad I could find such an amazing place I could resort to for my weekend jaunts.

Pro tip:

For the best view of Morni Hills, visit early winter (October-November) or early spring (February-March)

For the best on-road experience, book a Savaari cab from Gurgaon to Panchkula.

Do visit the Birds Zoo and Morni Adventure Park for an eventful trip.