Treks in Uttarakhand – An Adventurous Delight!
Uttrakhand is hailed as “The land of Gods”. It is indeed a place that is blessed with supreme beauty. Imagine a scene with setting dawn and light slowly reflects back from melting snow with temple bells ringing in the background.
A trek in Uttrakhand is a delight. It doesn’t make you weary or tired but fills you with adrenaline and peace with the composed and beautiful environment. The greenery is immense and the snow looks like it is beautifying the whole environment. What a wonderful delight! Even wondering of such beauty fills you with excitement. Therefore missing wonderful treks in Uttrakhand is the last thing you want to do.
There are various expedition spots which await you.
12 Best Treks in Uttarakhand
Chopta Chandrashila Deoriatal
This trek is meant to soothe your wanderer’s soul. The maximum altitude you cover during this expedition is 13,1000 Feet and the distance you complete is approximately thirty kilometers. This trek flourishes with blossoms, especially red and pink rhododendrons, and has a hazy shade. The whole trek is around Chandrashila Peak. There is an enchanting lakeside, covering Deoriatal Lake. The sound of Mountain River just below the campsite is like a soothing lullaby. It is a beautiful panorama of alluring mountain peaks.
The best experience of the trek is when you start early morning and return by dusk. Tungnath Temple which is hailed as the highest Shiva Temple in the world is also accessible during the trek. An arduous trek, Chopta Chandrashila rewards you with the most stunning views of the Himalayas, indeed the memories of which will remain with you forever.
Har Ki Dun Trek
Har ki Dun trek is hailed as a “stairway to Heaven” or “Valley of Gods”. It has various references in Mahabharata too. It is nestled in the middle of a cradle-shaped vale below the Har Ki Dun peak. This is a valley trek where you travel along the Thames River to Her ki Dun Valley. There are a lot of ancient temples and villages which date back to 3000 years in the way. Therefore you will get an intimate look into the lives of villagers as you pass by, which is quite exquisite. One can easily spot languor families, wild boars, and Barasingha along the trek. You can also spot colorful Himalayan moral, the state bird of Uttrakhand during the trek.
The trek is full of heavenly peaks and the way is full of flora and fauna. . This is the only valley from where you can see Swargarohini – I, II, III, Bandarpoonch, and Black peak, all together. You can also see the Ruinsara peaks from here. You will cover about 1949 to 3486 m altitude and approximately it takes nine days to complete this one among the moderately difficult treks in Uttrakhand.
Valley of Flowers Trek
There is a riot of colors that you will experience during this trek. This is because of the unbridled blooming of flowers like blue Primula and other Alpine flowers. As the name suggests it is bestowed with rare and exotic Himalayan flora. It is like a bouquet of nature. This trek of Valley goes inside dense forests, surrounded by Pushpawati river and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a picturesque setting.
There is an exhilarating climb to Hemkund Sahab which is a Gurudwara. The langar at this Gurudwara adds to the scenery. July and August, during monsoon, is the best time to do this trek of Uttrakhand.
Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek
This trek is located in the overwhelmingly beautiful area of Kumaon. This is a trail to the base of India’s second-highest peak, Nanda Devi which is about 8000 metres high. It is a grapevine to every trekker who comes from all parts of the world. This is one of the best treks in Uttarakhand.
The route to the base passes through the beautiful valley of Milam and goes along various ancient villages, alpine meadows, and glaciated tracks. The trek to Nanda Devi East Base Camp leads off at an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters en route to Milam Glacier. The journey undertaken once remains framed forever with the magnificent view of Rishi Parvat, Hardeol, and Trishul. It is one of the most difficult treks in India and requires proper training and equipment.
Adi Kailash & Om Parvat Trek
This trek of Uttrakhand has a mythological value as it is believed that it an impression of a religious “OM” symbol. This enchanting mountain has a height of 6191m in the Dharchula district. It is believed that it has miraculous nature and is well known among devotees as a spiritual and adventurous trek. It also resembles mount Kailash. That is why it is called ADI KAILASH. The trek is usually undertaken during the monsoon season, June to October, from the picturesque Dharchula. In this Adi Kailash and Om Parvat Yatra, you can experience the scenic beauty of Bhimtal which you can traverse while visiting Pithoragarh. On your way, you may come across the Kumaon hamlets like Lakhanpur, Lamari which will be just perfect to acquaint you with the culture and traditions of the region.
Roopkund Trek
It is known as skeleton lake. It is at an altitude of 5020 metres and is of the duration of nine days. It is said that it is sprinkled with thousands of human bones and skeleton. It is one of the most exciting summer treks in Uttrakhand. It is placed on the route to the religious site of Nanda Devi Temple. The trekkers cross many religious sites, lush forests, cascading clear water streams, and peaks of many famous mountains like Bugyal and Trisul. One of the most sought-after treks in Uttarakhand, it is no less than a delight.
Pindari Glacier Trek
This trek of Uttrakhand is situated between Nanda Devi Peak and Nada Kot Peak. It lies in the upper Kumaon Himalayas and is known as the Soul of Himalayas by the locals. The travelers or trekkers have to go through giant glaciers, beautiful waterfalls, and thick forests which are immersed in alluring beauty.
This is a must-visit site for avid photographers and adventure enthusiasts, It is situated at an altitude of 4150 meters and takes a duration of 10 days to complete.
Panch Kedar Trek
It is one of the religious treks in Uttarakhand, as it covers five shrines of Lord Shiva which are situated in the magical valley of Kedarnath. It is a perfect mixture of serenity and scenic and charming beauty. Away from a chaotic life, this trek begins from Kapleshwar which has its name for cave temple. It goes through Rudranath, Tungnath, and Madhya Maheshwar. It finally ends at Kedarnath where the Lord appeared in form of a bull. Its altitude is about 3584 meters and takes about 17 full days to complete.
Dodital Trek
It is a winter trek of Uttrakhand. The expedition passes through wonderful Barsu and Barnala Bugyal, after which trekkers climb above Barnala ridge where they relish the views of Barnala Lake which is quite mesmerizing. Trekkers go through Nimdhar and stop at Dodital Lake which is covered by thick pine and oak jungles. The trek is about 4150 meters and takes about twenty days to complete. The lake situated at the middle of this trek is regarded as the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. The trek journey can commence either from Uttarkashi, Hanuman Chatti, or Kalyani. In the clear waters of the lake, spot the reflection of Chaukambha and Neelkanth peaks.
Kalindikhal Pass Trek
Located in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas it is one of the most adventurous and challenging treks of Uttrakhand which is meant for the physically fit or fit trekkers. The difficult and adrenaline-boosting expedition commences from Gangotri and ends at Badrinath, It goes through Kalidikhal, Tapovan, Nandavan, Vasuki Tal, Kalandi Basem Kalihandal, Arwa Tal, and Gashtoli. You can easily see and remain in awe of the beauty of peaks as Vasuki and Chandra par vat etc. It has a maximum altitude of 5947 meters and takes about twenty days to complete. The best time to go for a trek is from mid-June to July and August.
Rupin Pass Trek
It is a high-altitude trek at 15,250 feet. The trail is a type of cross where it starts is Dhaula and ends at Sangla. It passes through quaint villages and beautiful flora. The trek is on the top inlets of the most beautiful treks of Uttrakhand. It is filled with surprises and leaves the travelers awestruck. The scenery is mesmerizing and starts from Dhaula and ends at the beautiful valley of Sangla. However, you need to plan your itinerary from the month of June to October. A list of treks in Uttarakhand is incomplete without this one.
Kuari Pass Trek
If you are a beginner or a novice then Kuari Trek is the right trek to do. It is covered with ancient forest trails. These are thick forests filled with alpine trees. There are outstanding campsites like Chitrakantha campsite in the heart of the forest or the Khullara campsite with Mt Dronagiri rising in the background. Also, there is an abundance of panoramic views of mountains. They span across the horizon which is a very photographic view.