Crank's Ridge

Crank's Ridge, also known as Hippie Hill, is a pine-covered ridge located near the Kasar Devi Temple in Almora, Uttarakhand. It gained prominence during the 1960s and 1970s as a popular destination for the hippie movement and spiritual seekers. The ridge offers panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks and the Almora valley, attracting visitors for its serene atmosphere and unique geomagnetic energy associated with the Van Allen Belt.

Visitors can expect an easy walk through pine forests leading to a scenic ridge with stunning views of the Himalayas and the surrounding valleys. The area is known for its peaceful environment, making it suitable for meditation and relaxation. Visitors often witness spectacular sunsets over the Almora valley from this vantage point.

Crank's Ridge became a haunt for bohemian artists, writers, and spiritual seekers in the 1920s and 1930s. It gained widespread fame during the 1960s and 1970s when luminaries of the counter-culture, including Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, and Timothy Leary, visited the ridge. The name 'Crank's Ridge' is said to have originated from Timothy Leary's activities there in the 1960s.

The ridge is considered a 'Power Centre' due to its location within the Van Allen Belt, a zone of highly charged geomagnetic particles. It has been a significant site for meditation and spiritual practices, attracting mystics and seekers from around the world for decades.