The seasonal movement of pastoralists through Himachal Pradesh follows the contours of its mountain ranges, drawing herds from different villages and valleys onto shared corridors of mobility. As routes approach high mountain passes, they converge through natural passages that funnel movement towards the alpine pastures. The opening of mountain passes depends on seasonal snowmelt, which determines when herders can access high-altitude pastures.
Beyond the passes, routes follow valleys on the other side of the ranges before branching out into the extensive alpine meadows. This scattering allows pastoralists to access dispersed pastures while making use of the wider grazing landscape.
As summer ends, herders retrace these routes, converging once again at the passes and along the valleys on their return journey. Further downslope, routes eventually diverge towards winter pastures and forest grazing areas.