Mountain Ranges in Himachal Pradesh

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The Himachal Pradesh region in India is known for its picturesque mountain ranges, with some of the most spectacular views in the world. The Pir Panjal Range is the largest range in the state, stretching from Jammu and Kashmir in the west to Uttarakhand in the east. Other major ranges include the Dhauladhar Range, the Zanskar Range, the Great Himalayan Range, and the Shivalik Range. Each range offers its own unique beauty, with breathtaking vistas and a wide variety of wildlife.

4 ranges of Himachal Pradesh

1. Lower Hills or Outer Himalayas
2. Lesser or Inner Himalayas
3. Great Himalayas or Alpine Zone
4. Zanskar Range or Trans-Himalayas

The Lower Hills or Outer Himalayas (Shivalik)

• Also known as Shivalik hills and Mainak Parbat.
• Located in the northern part of India.
• This range ranges from 300 m to 1500 m above sea level.
• Youngest range of the Himalayan family.
• The Shivalik means tresses of the Shiva.
• The range is composed of sedimentary rocks formed from the deposits of the rivers that flow through the region.
• Highest peak – Churdhar or Choor Chandni (3647 m) in Sirmaur
• Shivalik range separates Shimla from Sirmaur.
• The range is home to many rare species of flora and fauna.
• The hills are also an important source of water for the region, providing irrigation and hydroelectric power.
• It covers the lower hills of districts Kangra, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, and the lower parts of Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur

Some local names of the Shivalik range are

• Ram Garh Dhar (Una)
• Dhog Dhar (Sirmaur)
• Hathi Dhar
• Chamukti Dhar
• Sikander Dhar
• Naina Devi Dhar (Bilaspur)

The Lesser or Inner Himalayas (Central Zone)

• The Inner Himalayas is located in the Himalayan region of South Asia.
• Also include many other spectacular peaks such as Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, Nanga Parbat, and Dhaulagiri.

This zone comprises two mountain ranges in Himachal which are:

Dhauladhar Range

• Dhauladhar range is the outermost part of the inner Himalayas. with an elevation of 4550 m.
• Also known as the ‘White Range’ and is also known for its spectacular views, lush green meadows, snow-clad peaks, and pristine rivers.
• Dhauladhar range starts from Chamba District to Badrinath (in Uttarakhand).

Three rivers in Himachal cut off this range.

• Sutlej river cut it at Rampur-Bushahr,
• Beas river at Larji,
• Ravi river at Chamba District

• The highest peak – White Mountain or Hanuman Ji Ka Tibba (5639 m) Kangra District
• The highest peak (In district Mandi) – Nagru (4020 m).
• This range is also home to various flora and fauna, including the rare snow leopard.
• The Northern part of the Dhauladhar range collides with the Pir Panjal range at the mountain knot of Bara Bangal.
• The Dhauladhar Range is also a popular destination for trekking, rock climbing, and other adventure activities.

Pir Panjal Range

• The Pir Panjal Range is a range of mountains located in the western Himalayas, at an average height of 5000 m.
• Extending from the Jhelum River in the east, through the Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh regions, culminating in the Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh in the west.
• Its highest peak is the Harmukh, at an elevation of 5,142 meters (16,863 feet).
• The largest range of the lower Himalayas, and mostly contains volcanic rocks.
• The important rivers that originate in the range, such as the Chenab and Jhelum, are important for agriculture, hydroelectric power, and the local economy.
• The significant expansion of the Pir Panjal range is found in the Chamba district.
• Rohtang Pass also lies in this range.

The Great Himalayas

• Also known as Alpine Zone or Himadri.
• The highest mountain range zone with an altitude from 5,000 m to 7,000 m.
• It runs along the Eastern boundary of Himachal Pradesh
• The total length of the range – 1,400 miles (2,300 km) approx
• Average elevation – more than 20,000 feet (6,100 meters).
• Separated by the river Sutlej in two parts.
• This range also obstructs the South-West monsoon wind’s path.

Zanskar Range (Shilla Peak-Kinnaur)

• The Zanskar Range is a mountain range in the Indian Himalayas, located in the Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It separates Kinnaur and Spiti from Tibet, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
• Average elevation – 3000 m.
• Highest peak – Shilla peak (7026m).
• Parts of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti lies in this range.

Important Mountain Peaks of Himachal Pradesh