Trekking is an attractive activity for a lot of people. The appeal of trekking is the joy and intrigue of finding out and exploring new places of natural beauty. Trekking paths are often away from the usual hustle and bustle of human crowds. Due to the physically engaging and mentally calming nature of trekking, it is a great mode of detox from everyday office life and makes for a great change of air.
As our life is getting boring, mountain treks are the best way to escape the blistering heat of corporate life. I’ve made a list of the best treks in Uttarakhand for every kind of Himalayan trekker seeking adventure!
Best Treks In Uttarakhand For Himalayan Trekkers:
1. Kedartal Trek
Kedartal Lake is located in the Himalayan Mountains in the state of Uttarakhand. It is known to be a difficult trek that needs adequate mountain trekking experience because it is a steep and bumpy climb at a high altitude. This trek will take you to Kedar Kharak, Bhoj Kharak, and of course the mesmerizing Kedartal Glacial Lake! It is definitely a photographer’s paradise, letting you linger at the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings.
- Starting Point: Gangotri
- Altitude: 15,485 Feet
- Difficulty: Very Difficult
- Best Time to Visit: May-June and September-October
- Total Distance: 50km
2. Rupin Pass Trek
If you are looking up some of the most popular treks in Uttarakhand, the Rupin Pass will definitely be there on the list. The sheer variety of views that it provides is awesome. Passing through Moiri, a quaint picturesque hamlet by the banks of the river Tons, your eyes can feast on the mesmerizing beauty of the rhododendron woodlands and fields. I can bet you will love watching the changing environments between rivers, remote villages, tall pine forests, and a beautiful waterfall, all of which culminate into the Rupin Pass at the top. The Rupin Pass Trek can be completed in 7 days, finally ending in Himachal Pradesh.
- Starting Point: Jiskun, Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 15,279 Feet
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- Best Time to Visit: May-June
- Total Distance: 55km
3. Kedarkantha Trek
The beautiful Kedarkantha Trek is located in the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand and has enticed beginners and seasoned hikers alike. Moreover, the Kedarkantha trek is also one of the most popular trekking trails in Uttarakhand. The primary reason behind all its popularity is probably the summit climb, which starts alluring you right from its base. The summit is a steadily steep one and is often considered to be a very engaging challenge for beginning trekkers. Apart from that, it is adorned with several beautiful campsites, clearings, as well as forests all along the trek route.
- Starting Point: Sankri
- Altitude: 12,500 Feet
- Difficulty: Beginner-Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: April-May
- Total Distance: 20km
4. Bali Pass Trek
Next, the Bali Pass, which connects Yamunotri to the Har ki Dun Valley comes later in my list. It is located in the Yamunotri mountain range of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The beautiful green fields of Devsu Thach and the ancient villages of Osla and Gangad adorn the route of this trek to please the eyes of the trekkers. The difficulty of this trek is noteworthy due to gaining almost 10,000 feet of altitude in just 5 days. This elevation gain might be too harsh for newer trekking enthusiasts.
- Starting Point: 12km from Sankri Village
- Altitude: 16,207 Feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Best Time to Visit: May-June
- Total Distance: 60km
5. Brahmatal Trek
Brahmatal, surrounded by an aura of myths is a beautiful lake, nestled within the deep Himalayas. Talking about attractions, there is no dearth of them considering the changing breathtaking landscapes, forests of oaks where light and shade play hide and seek, bursting hues of the rhododendrons, meadows wearing sheets of snow, and finally, the majestic peaks glistening against the clear blue skies. The trek can be considered to be a rather easy one with the gentle sloping ascent and the major part of the trail being through forests. There is also hardly any chance of feeling altitude sickness. If you are a lover of photography, there can hardly be a more beautiful place to quench that thirst within you.
- Starting Point: Rishikesh
- Altitude: 12,200 Feet
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-November to March
- Total Distance: 24 km
6. Har ki Dun Trek
Located in Ruinsara in Uttarakhand, the Har ki Dun Trek is a very unique one among my list. The primary attraction of this trek is to watch the ancient heritage found in the old villages of Gangad and Osla. Also, adorned by natural beauty as well as the man-made wonders of old, Har Ki Dun Trek is a great journey for a wide demographic as its available almost throughout the year.
- Starting Point: Sankri Village
- Altitude: 11,811 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: March-June and September-January
- Total Distance: 70km
7. Chopta Tunganath Chandrashila Trek
If you are looking for peace and serenity with the perfect place to re-energize yourself basking in the beauty of nature, the holy Tunganath temple, sitting high at 3400m above sea level, might be just the place you are looking for. The trek to the Chandrashila Summit will also allow you to enjoy the mind-blowing views of major snow-capped peaks like Bandarpoonch, Kedar, Chaukhamba, and some more, as you reach the top of Chandrashila. The trip mainly covers a journey to the Chandrashila peak as you pass by the enthralling Deoriatal lake, enjoying on the way the warm forests and nature at its best. On the way to Chopta, the extensive meadows merging into snowfields will be a treat to sore eyes and a gift to shutterbugs. Here on, further up the trail, the lovely snow-capped peaks will accompany you and shine brighter as you move further and finally reach the summit at the Tunganath Temple.
- Starting Point: Haridwar
- Altitude: 13,100 feet
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: Round the year, except monsoon
- Total Distance: 30km
There is a lot to explore in the Indian Trekking scene. If you’re a Himalayan trekker, you should also check out the top trekking places in Himachal Pradesh, in addition to the best treks in Uttarakhand. Why are you still waiting? Unleash your inner adventurer and book your tickets now!