page_title: Joginder Nagar Valley
section_title: Bir-Billing (14 km)
hierarchical_section_title: Joginder Nagar Valley / Bir-Billing (14 km)
caption_attribution_description: English: A rescue helicopter deployed at Paragliding World Cup 2015 at Bir
context_page_description: Joginder Nagar Valley is a valley in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The valley contains the town of Joginder Nagar, Bir-Billing, Chauntra and various other hill resorts surrounded by mountains on all sides. The valley falls in the mid-hill zone of the Dhauladhar mountain range in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. Geographically, the valley starts near Ghatta at its westernmost point and stretches south-eastwards up to Ghatasani, 15 kilometres from the main town. On an average, the valley is stretched 20 kilometres in length and 10 kilometers in width.
  The valley is particularly known for adventure sports of Paragliding, Trekking and Mountain biking, and has options for angling, camping as well as sightseeing. It lies in Mandi district except part of north-western corner that falls in Kangra district including Bir-Billing. Geographically, almost rectangular in topography, it is marked by Ghornala hills on the east, Mt. Winch Camp on the north, Siyuri Dhar on the east and Siqandar Dhar mountain ranges in the southern direction.
context_section_description: The town of Bir attracts visitors for ecotourism, courses in meditation and philosophy, and eco-volunteering. The main ecotourism attractions are paragliding, trekking, and meditation retreats in the wooded rural setting. Another attraction of Bir is the Bir Tibetan Colony, with several monasteries and fine works of art.
  The area is becoming a popular destination for more adventurous paraglider pilots. It offers reliable and wide-ranging conditions in a wide range of environments, from the relative security of the largely wooded Dhauladar range to the more extreme flying of the snowfields to the north.
  An FAI category two paragliding competition is organized annually by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation at Bir-Billing in the month of October or November. Billing (2300m) is the launch spot from where paragliders take off for landing at Chowgan, where this competition is held.  Every year, about a hundred participants from all over the world take part in this particular competition. The event attracts many viewers, including international tourists. Weather conditions at that time of year are very reliable and the competition has been virtually unaffected by adverse weather (2001-2012.) Competitors take off from Billing and fly over the mountains of Baijnath and Jogindernagar.
  The competition was first established by the Chief Minister of the State of Himachal Pradesh. Several world records have been made by international paragliders here.
  Billing Top is the highest peak of the valley at 3080 metres and can be reached via Trekking or mountain biking on Bir-Billing road.
  1. Trekking to Billing Top:
  Route: Bir-Billing-Billing Top
  Distance: 8 km
  Highest Point: 3080 m (Billing Top)
  Difficulty Level: Medium
  Duration: 5–6 hours
  Altitude gain: 1600 m
  2. Mountain Biking to Chaina Pass (near Billing Top):
  Route: Bir-Billing-Chaina Pass
  Distance: 24 km
  Highest Point: 2730 metres (Chaina Pass)
  Difficulty Level : Medium-Difficult
  Duration: 3–4 hours
  Altitude gain: 1300 m
  One can trek and mountain bike down further towards Barot via Rajgundha and Bada Gran villages. Major portion of this single lane roadway is unpaved and severely affected during monsoon season.
  Route: Chaina Pass-Rajgundha-Bada Gran-Barot
  Distance: 25 km
  Difficulty Level : Medium
  Duration: 3–4 hours
  Altitude loss: 900 m
caption: A rescue helicopter deployed at Paragliding World Cup 2015 at Bir
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