Jan 25, 20217 min read

Want to trek in Uttarakhand. Here's a detailed guide.

Defining breathtaking landscapes, mesmerising views, captivating peaks, homely local culture; Uttarakhand is the ultimate destination for trekking in Himalayas. Uttarakhand, a land of unmatched and unexplored beauty has a reputation for harbouring treks that are unique in themselves. Whether you trek during the summers, monsoons or winters; Uttarakhand will readily offer you with treks that are stupendously mind-blowing. From being blessed with India’s second and third highest peaks, Nanda Devi (7,816m) and Kamet (7,756m) respectively to fostering treks like Valley of Flowers (a world heritage site); Uttarakhand’s trekking and expedition routes cannot be challenged. Besides providing alluring treks, Uttarakhand is also popular amongst the pilgrims for it has important important temples of India and is also the home to the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh.

With a hike in Uttarakhand’s tourism, there is also a hike in trekking companies in the state; making it prone to influx of trekkers and travellers. Enchanting us with its unique identity and culture, trekking in Uttarakhand thus has unparalleled features.

Here is a comprehensive guide of treks in Uttarakhand:

1. Treks for beginners

Uttarakhand’s demography provides few of the best treks for beginners! Treks like Nag Tibba and Chopta Chandrashila are a treat to someone who is stepping into the sphere of trekking. All these treks are short and offer wondrous views of the surrounding environment making them equally happening like the longer treks.

Nag Tibba is a 1N/2D trek that offers grandeur views of ranges like Banderpoonch and Swargarohini.

Best time to visit- October to April

Chopta Chandrashila, on the other hand, is a trek that takes you across beautiful meadows before reaching the summit that offers mesmerising views of the surrounding peaks. The duration of the trek is 3N/4D.

Best time to visit- April to June/September to November

The temperature, the weather and the distance from Dehradun is all bearable! A beginner trekker can always start her/his journey from the easier treks and march towards the more strenuous and rigorous ones. All of these treks also include camping at their respective base camps.

Tip for trekking for beginners:

Choose an easy test to measure your endurance and capabilities
Start exercising a few weeks before your trek
Always plan your first trek; carry your essentials and research about your trek

2. Pilgrim treks

Commonly known as the Devbhoomi (Land of Gods), Uttarakhand is an ultimate destination for those who trek and also seek spiritual and religious inclinations. Home to famous temples like Kedarnath and Badrinath; the world’s highest Shiva temple (Tungnath) is also located in the heart of Uttarakhand.

Various pilgrim treks can be added to your bucket list if you’re looking to conquer one are:

1. Panch Kedar- a 15 days long trek, Panch Kedar literally stand for 5 Shiva temples. The treks takes you to the 5 famous Shiva temples starting from Kalpeshwar, Rudranath, Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar and ending at Kedarnath or vice versa. The trek covers

Best time time to trek- April to July/September to October

2. Satopanth Tal- Starting from the religious town of Badrinath, Satopanth Tal is a trek that takes you to the starting point of the Alaknanda river. This 6N/7D trek is packed with meadows, rocky terrains, snow sheet before reaching the auspicious lake.

Best time to trek- April to July/September to October

3. Gaumukh Tapovan- The 7 day trek takes you to the Gangotri glacier, the origin of the holy Ganga river.

Best time to trek- April to July/September to October

3. Daunting passes

With a great reputations comes daunting treks, mountain passes and expeditions. Uttarakhand lives up to its might and glory with the kind of dangerous, rigorous and treks that it offers. Moderate passes like Kuari Pass and Bali Pass also make it to the list. Kuari Pass, also known as Lord Curzon’s trail, is a famous trek that leads to Pangarchulla peak. Bali Pass, on the other hand is located near Har ki Dun valley and is a famous crossover trek between Har Ki Dun valley and Yamunotri.

Following is a list of passes that are less transversed upon:

1. Lamkhaga Pass (5,300 meters)- The challenging yet beautiful route takes you through some of the most remote areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, like the Jalandhari valley that is covered with flowers in the post monsoon season.

2. Borasu Pass (5,360 meters)- Trek amongst wild flower shrubs, visit a village lost in time, hike on glaciers and morraines, experience two different cultures - Garhwal and Kinnaur.

3. Dhumdhar Kandi (5,500 meters)- A difficult pass at 5,490 m going over the base of two major peaks. It connects Bhagirathi and Tons valley.

4. Gupt Khal (5,835 meters)-The trek crosses over the twin passes of Bhyundar Khal and Gupt Khal. One has to negotiate the morraines and glaciers such as Gauri glacier, Rataban Glacier, Tipra Glacier, Bankund Glacier, Nilgir glacier and Nakthani glacier.

5. Kalindi Khal (5,950 meters)- A trek which reaches to almost 6,000m has been gifted with features of moraines, glaciers and majestic peaks.

6. Mayali Pass (5,400 meters)- Mayali Pass is an offbeat trek which crosses from the Bhagirathi valley to Mandakini valley making is one of the most difficult treks to complete.

7. Auden Col’s trek (5,490 meters)- Auden's Col is one of the Highest Mountain passes spanning between the valleys of Rudragaira and Bhilangana in Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 5490 meters.

4. Alpine treks

Alpine treks, which are very common and famous throughout the states are frequently trekked upon making them an important part of Uttarakhand’s tourism package. Part of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal and Uttarkashi regions, alpine treks are the most sought amongst the trekkers. Treks like Har Ki Dun, Kedarkantha and many more are a part of the tourism season.

Har Ki Dun, which means the valley of God, is a trek that takes you through Uttarakhand’s remotest villages like Taluka and Osla. Har ki Dun trek has a bearable weather throughout the year making it accessible during all the seasons. It has a diverse flora and fauna as it is a part of the Govind National Park.

Best time to trek- April to July/September to October

Kedarkantha is a peak that offers 360 degree view of peaks like … Kedarkantha is famous during the winters however, one can still summit it during the months of July and August. The weather and temperature of Kedarkantha is bearable making it a popular destination in the Uttarakhand.

Best time to trek- all year round

Another alpine trek famous for its meadow is Dayara Bugyal. Peaks set in the background, horses grazing on the meadows, scent of oak and pine tress in the air, swift wind blowing over your face; if you can picture this, then you are in Dayara Bugyal!

Best time to trek- All year round

5. Glacier treks

The glacier treks of Uttarakhand are highly renowned and auspicious. Often termed as the origin of many holy rivers flowing in India, the glaciers of Himalayas are quite up to the mark for experienced trekkers. Glacier treks are perfect for those seeking thrill, adventure and rush at the same time! With huge peaks in the backdrop, rough and rusty terrain, barren landscape, icy sheets and high altitude environment; glacier treks in Uttarakhand are a must once in a lifetime.

Here are the major glacier treks of Uttarakhand:

1. Milam Glacier trek- Starting from Munsiyari in the Kumaon district of Uttarakhand, the Milam Glacier trek originates from the Kohli and Trishul peaks of the Himalayan range. A 12 day trek, the route takes you across Uttarakhand’s best kept secrets.

Best time to trek: May to June/September to October

2. Pindari Glacier trek- Another glacier trek in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, the Pindari glacier is the source of the river Pindar.

Best time to trek: May to June/September to October

3. Khatling glacier trek- Surrounded by peaks that reach 6000m, the trek starts from Guttu and takes you across remotes villages, meadows and tedious terrain.

Best time to trek: Mid June to Mid October.

4. Sunderdhunga glacier trek- Towards the right side of the Pindari Glacier, the Sunderdhunga glacier trek takes you to an elevation of 4320m. Peaks like Tharkhot and Maiktoli are easily visible.

Best time to trek: April to June/ September to October

6. High-Altitude Lake treks

There is nothing that the Himalayas cannot offer. Peace, tranquility, serenity and lakes! High altitude lakes, especially in Uttarakhand, are a major feature of Uttarakhand. Dotted all over the state, most of these lakes are accessible during the winters as well. The lakes are also holy as the locals have been worshipping them or around them. The high altitude lakes of Uttarakhand are also a part of the Indian trekking making them a must visit for the community.

Here are a few treks that lead to high altitude lakes:

1. Ruinsara Tal trek- A significant lake in the Har Ki Dun valley, Ruinsara Tal is a beautiful trek that goes through the Govind National Park. Famous for its wild flowers and meadows, the follows the Tons rivers.