Van Vihar beside Manali’s Mall Road

Van Vihar is the wooded park near Manali’s Mall Road, opposite the Tibetan Market. Tall deodars, walking paths and benches make it a good stop when you would like some time outdoors without leaving the town centre. You can combine it with a look around the market rather than arrange a separate driving day.

Come for a walk beneath the trees and a place to sit. If a boat ride appeals to you, the park also has an artificial pond. That pond is separate from the Beas River, which runs beside the park.

Walking and sitting beneath the deodars

The park’s main appeal is its woodland. Deodars rise above the paths, and wooden and concrete benches give you somewhere to stop between stretches of walking. You do not need to fill the visit with activities to enjoy it.

We suggest keeping about an hour free for a walk and a sit-down, rather than squeezing the park into a hurried photo stop. This is time to spend inside, not a walking time from your hotel. Leave longer if you want to wait for a boat ride as well.

Van Vihar suits a gap between shopping and a meal in central Manali. It is less suited to a day when your main wish is to see mountain viewpoints or explore village lanes. For cafés and the village around Manu Temple, consider Old Manali from Mall Road instead.

Boating on the pond, not on the Beas

The boating area is a small, man-made pond within the park. It is not a river cruise, rafting trip or boat journey along the Beas. Choose it as an optional activity alongside the woodland walk, not as a reason to book a separate river excursion.

Before promising children a ride, ask at the park entrance whether boating is running that day. Check the boat charge and how long the ride lasts before buying a ticket. If boating is unavailable or the wait does not suit your group, you can decide whether the walk alone is worth the visit.

Finding the right Van Vihar in Manali

Look for the park opposite the Tibetan Market near Mall Road. If you are asking your stay for directions, use that landmark rather than only saying “Van Vihar”. The forest around Hadimba Temple in Dhungri is also associated with the Van Vihar name, but it is a different outing from this park beside the market.

For the temple and its surrounding deodars, see the route from Mall Road to Hadimba Temple. You do not need to visit Hadimba or continue to Old Manali to enjoy the Mall Road park.

At the gate, check the current entry charge and closing time before going in, especially if you arrive late in the day. If someone in your group needs step-free access, ask about the entrance and paths before buying tickets; woodland does not necessarily mean an even walking surface.

Photograph: Van Vihar at Manali by Dinesh Valke, taken on 4 June 2008. Resized and converted to WebP for 2050 XP. The adapted photograph is shared under CC BY-SA 2.0.