Top 10 Trekking Places in Uttarakhand

Who doesn’t love hiking? Hiking is so much fun and adventurous and Uttarakhand is the first name that comes to the mouth of the hikers looking for treks. Further, crossing amidst the misty mountains, green meadows and holy rivers, each trek in Uttarakhand will show you a unique and never-seen amazing place. Adventurers seeking some peace in life can escape the hustle and bustle of city life to enjoy some pristine time in the forests.

Plan a trip to Uttarakhand if you are looking to remove the mundane life you are leading. Even if you are a seasonal trekker, Uttarakhand has something or the other for everyone. Right from 5 to 10 km trek to ones leading to days, cover vast distances and get lost in the lap of nature.

Here is the list of Best Treks Destinations in Uttarakhand:

1. Har Ki Dun Trek

Har Ki Dun Trek, Uttarakhand

Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas, the Har Ki Dun trek is for nature lovers as well as shutterbugs. Likewise, it is one of the most sought treks to witness the exotic beauty of nature as you cross various forests and other beautiful scenes. It is also a beginner’s trek taking you across lush greenery while exploring some unknown places in Garhwal Himalayas.

Camp under the sky with a bonfire and make some new friends. Pass through small streams and see cows grazing in the meadows. Har Ki Dun is a sacred place and is believed that Pandavas went to heaven from this route. The Swargarohini peak bears the bequest of the mythical stairway to heaven. Read Also: 10 Popular Camping Sites in Uttarakhand

  • Why Visit: One of the most scenic treks in Uttarakhand, Har Ki Dun is known for its ancient villages, alpine meadows, and views of the Swargarohini peaks. It’s a moderately challenging trek.
  • Top Experiences: Trek through lush green valleys, camp by the riverside, and explore remote villages like Osla.
  • Best Time to Trek: April to June, September to November.
  • Duration: 7-8 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek starts from Sankri, which is accessible by road from Dehradun (200 km).

2. Valley of Flowers Trek

Valley of Flowers Trek, Uttarakhand

Covered with colorful blossoms and a variety of flowers, the Valley of Flowers trek is one to witness and is a heaven for photo enthusiasts. Besides, the trek has some slimy pathways, sharp climbs, and alluring views of the mountains. First, reach Rishikesh from where you will be taking the bus to Joshimath. Secondly, after reaching Govindghat, the journey of a 14 km trek starts and is a 3km descent of the valley.

After reaching the plains, click lots of photos with flowers, butterflies, and birds. Also, it is one of the best treks to go to during the Monsoon season. With the summers melting the snow, the colorful beauty of the place gets revealed. The duration of the trek is 6 to 7 days and there is no accommodation facility up there. Read Also: Top 10 Places to Visit in Mukteshwar Uttarakhand

  • Why Visit: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its blooming alpine flowers, unique flora, and the peaceful Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara.
  • Top Experiences: Witness the blooming valley in monsoon, visit Hemkund Lake, and explore rare Himalayan flowers.
  • Best Time to Trek: July to September (flowering season).
  • Duration: 4-6 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek begins from Govindghat, accessible by road from Rishikesh (290 km).

3. Rupin Pass Trek

Rupin Pass Trek, Uttarakhand

Rupin Pass, situated 15,250 ft above sea level, with the trek starting from Dhaula in Uttarakhand and coming to an end in Sangla. Further, the trek takes place in the icy Rupin River and the trekkers have to cross snowfields, wooden bridges, steep rocks, gushing rivers and so many other wonderful things. The trek even offers travelers camping opportunities in the green jungles.

The difficulty level of the trek is moderate but the snow makes the road so much harder to move. The view of the Kailash range from Rupin Pass is so exotic and charming. It takes 8 days to complete the entire trek. Read Also: 5 Popular Places to Visit in Binsar, Uttarakhand

  • Why Visit: A high-altitude trek that offers diverse landscapes from forests and meadows to snow-covered ridges and waterfalls. It’s a challenging yet rewarding trek.
  • Top Experiences: Cross snow bridges, trek through waterfalls, and camp at high altitudes.
  • Best Time to Trek: May to June, September to October.
  • Duration: 8-9 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek begins from Dhaula, which can be reached by road from Dehradun (200 km).

4. Panch Kedar Trek

Panch Kedar Trek, Uttarakhand

Covering 5 shrines of Lord Shiva, the Panch Kedar trek is a delightful way of experiencing something amazing away from the city life. The trek is an amazing combination of scenery and scenic charm. Likewise, The trek starts from Kalpeshwar extremely popular for a cave where the mated form of Lord Shiva appeared first.

Continuing to Rudranath where the head of Lord Shiva appeared and the middle point of the trek is Tungnath village. Likewise, it has the Tungnath temple which is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Next is Madhya Maheswar with the trek ending at Kedarnath where Shiva appeared as a bull. Read Also: Famous Trekking Destinations in India

  • Why Visit: This sacred trek takes you to the five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva—Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar. It’s a blend of spirituality and adventure.
  • Top Experiences: Visit ancient Shiva temples, experience stunning Himalayan views, and explore remote villages.
  • Best Time to Trek: May to October.
  • Duration: 15-17 days (depending on route).
  • How to Reach: The trek begins from Rishikesh or Ukhimath, both accessible by road from Haridwar (230 km).

5. Roop Kund Trek

Roop Kund Trek, Uttarakhand

Known as the Skeletal Lake, The Roopkund Lake is popular for the mysterious stories surrounding it. The lake is covered with thousands of skeletons and human bones and people think they are the skeletal remains of a group of travelers who got caught here due to the natural disaster of the 14th century. The lake is en route to Nanda Devi temple crossing grasslands and snow-clad peaks.

The Roopkund trek takes about 7 to 9 days where the trekkers cross clean snow, glorious mountains, lush forests, etc. Human Skeletons are still visible at the bottom of the lake when the ice melts.

  • Why Visit: Roop Kund is famous for its mystery skeleton lake, located at a high altitude. The trek passes through alpine meadows, dense forests, and snowfields.
  • Top Experiences: Reach the high-altitude Roopkund Lake, explore Ali and Bedni Bugyal meadows, and see the remains of ancient skeletons at the lake.
  • Best Time to Trek: May to June, September to October.
  • Duration: 7-8 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek starts from Lohajung, accessible by road from Kathgodam (210 km).

Read Also: Must visit the Famous 100 Places to Visit in India

6. Deoria Tal Trek

Deoria Tal Trek, Uttarakhand

The Deoria Tal Chandrashila Trek is a short trek offering some breath-taking views of the Chopta Village and its surrounding areas. Furthermore, the first half of the trek takes you to Deoria Tal to savor the environment looking like mirror-like water. It looks so splendid and beautiful beyond words. This alternate route also takes you to the Tungnath temple.

The panorama surrounding the place is so magical making it one of the best summer treks starting from Delhi. Read Also: 10 Beautiful Places to Visit in Uttarakhand in December

  • Why Visit: A short and easy trek, perfect for beginners, Deoria Tal offers stunning reflections of the Chaukhamba peaks in its crystal-clear lake.
  • Top Experiences: Camp by the lake, explore nearby villages, and enjoy birdwatching.
  • Best Time to Trek: March to June, September to November.
  • Duration: 2-3 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek starts from Sari village, accessible by road from Rishikesh (250 km).

7. Nag Tibba Trek

Nag Tibba Trek, Uttarakhand

Nag Tibba also called the “Mountain of The Serpent” is a lesser-known Himalayan range for all adventure lovers. Secondly, many people believe this place to be an abode of Nag Devta with the trek offering some astounding sunset and sunrise views. Travelers can find four routes to reach Nag Tibba with the Pantwari village route being the famous one.

The other routes are also nearby and offer some exotic scenes for a memorable experience. But trekkers need to be careful and complete trekking in daylight only to avoid encountering bears. Read Also: Top 10 Tourist Places to See in May in Uttarakhand.

  • Why Visit: Nag Tibba is one of the best weekend treks from Delhi and Dehradun, offering panoramic views of the Garhwal Himalayas, including peaks like Bandarpunch and Kedarnath.
  • Top Experiences: Summit the Nag Tibba peak, camp amidst pine forests, and enjoy scenic sunset views.
  • Best Time to Trek: March to June, September to November.
  • Duration: 2 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek starts from Pantwari village, accessible by road from Dehradun (60 km).

8. Kuari Pass Trek

Kuari Pass Trek, Uttarakhand

Kuari Pass Trek is one of the easiest treks in the Garhwal Himalayas first discovered by Lord Curzon in 1905. Besides, one can see some views of Nanda Devi, Gauri Parvat, Neelkanth, Haathi Ghodi Parvat, etc. from the ranges. The trek offers you a mind-blowing chance to walk through bamboo, oak, and birch forests, pristine rivers, velvety meadows, etc.

The trek is located in the Nanda Devi biosphere reserve, the trek starts from the Dhak village and continues to Gorsen Bugyal. Also, read 20 Best Tourist Places to See in Uttarakhand.

  • Why Visit: Known as the Lord Curzon Trail, Kuari Pass offers some of the best panoramic views of Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Hathi Ghoda, and Dronagiri. It’s a perfect trek for beginners.
  • Top Experiences: Trek through oak and rhododendron forests, enjoy stunning mountain views, and camp in alpine meadows.
  • Best Time to Trek: March to June, September to November.
  • Duration: 6-7 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek starts from Joshimath, accessible by road from Haridwar (290 km).

9. Chopta Trek

Chopta Trek, Uttarakhand

The Chopta trek is one of the most fascinating and popular treks starting from Uttarakhand. Chopta is such a fine and charming village in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and is known as the “Mini Switzerland of India”. From the top of Chopta, enjoy some great views of Nanda Devi Peak, Kedarnath Peak, etc. Also, through the Chopta trek, you can reach the Tungnath temple, having the highest Shiva temple in the world.

Trekkers can undertake this trek any time of the year but during the winter season, the place is covered with snow. The trek gives you beautiful views of flowers, with pine, deodar, and rhododendron trees. The natural scenery looks so fresh and refreshing. Read Also: Uttarakhand 10 Most Famous Places to Visit in June.

  • Why Visit: Chopta, also known as the “Mini Switzerland of India,” offers a picturesque trek to Tungnath (the highest Shiva temple) and the Chandrashila summit, known for its stunning views of the Himalayas.
  • Top Experiences: Trek to Tungnath Temple, summit Chandrashila, and enjoy camping in the pristine meadows.
  • Best Time to Trek: March to June, September to November.
  • Duration: 3-4 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek starts from Chopta, accessible by road from Rishikesh (210 km).

10. Khatling Trek

Khatling Trek, Uttarakhand

The Khatling trek, a memorable experience is not known to many. Secondly, the prime source is the Khatling Glacier which is the river source of the Bhilangana River. The Bhilangana Valley is itself a beauty to behold with its glamorous valleys. The Snow clad mountains and glaciers are what you will see during the trek. You will come across some meadows getting lost in the glacial debris as soon as you cross them. Also, check the 10 Most Beautiful Hill Stations in Uttarakhand.

  • Why Visit: Khatling Glacier is a less-explored trekking destination, offering challenging routes through glaciers, moraines, and steep cliffs. The trek is ideal for experienced trekkers looking for adventure.
  • Top Experiences: Explore the Khatling Glacier, visit sacred lakes, and trek through dense forests.
  • Best Time to Trek: May to June, September to October.
  • Duration: 12-13 days.
  • How to Reach: The trek starts from Malla, accessible by road from Rishikesh (160 km).

Conclusion

Nothing can be remarkable more than a trek in Uttarakhand with friends. Embark on any of these treks for getting the alluring beauty of nature.

Read more articles for Uttarakhand:

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are the best trekking places in Uttarakhand?

Some of the best trekking places in Uttarakhand include Valley of Flowers Trek, Har Ki Dun Trek, Roopkund Trek, and Nag Tibba Trek.

2. Which is the easiest trek in Uttarakhand?

The Nag Tibba Trek is considered one of the easiest and beginner-friendly treks in Uttarakhand, suitable for a short weekend hike.

3. What is the most famous trek in Uttarakhand?

The Valley of Flowers Trek is one of the most famous treks, known for its stunning landscapes filled with blooming flowers during the monsoon.

4. When is the best time to trek in Uttarakhand?

The best time for trekking in Uttarakhand is from April to June and September to November, when the weather is pleasant and the trails are clear.

5. Which trek in Uttarakhand offers views of the Himalayas?

The Kuari Pass Trek is renowned for offering magnificent views of the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi and Dronagiri.

6. Is the Roopkund Trek difficult?

Yes, the Roopkund Trek is a moderately difficult trek, requiring good physical fitness due to its high altitude and steep climbs.

7. Are there any snow treks in Uttarakhand?

Yes, Auli Gorson Trek and Kedarkantha Trek are popular snow treks in Uttarakhand, offering snow-covered landscapes in winter.

8. Can beginners go for the Kedarkantha Trek?

Yes, the Kedarkantha Trek is suitable for beginners, with easy-to-moderate trails and stunning snow views during the winter months.

9. What is the highest trekking point in Uttarakhand?

Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek is one of the highest trekking points in Uttarakhand, reaching a maximum altitude of around 4,150 meters.

10. Are guided treks available in Uttarakhand?

Yes, there are many guided trekking tours available in Uttarakhand, offering support with permits, equipment, and expert guides.

11. Which trek is known for its religious significance?

The Kedarnath Trek is not only a scenic trek but also holds great religious significance as it leads to the famous Kedarnath Temple.

12. What should I carry for trekking in Uttarakhand?

Essentials include warm clothing, trekking shoes, rain gear, water bottles, and energy snacks.

13. Is the Har Ki Dun Trek suitable for families?

Yes, the Har Ki Dun Trek is a moderate trek suitable for families with children who enjoy nature and outdoor adventure.

14. How long is the Valley of Flowers Trek?

The Valley of Flowers Trek typically takes around 4 to 5 days, depending on your pace and the starting point.

15. Are there any permits required for trekking in Uttarakhand?

Yes, some treks like Valley of Flowers and Gangotri Glacier require trekking permits, which can be arranged through tour operators or local authorities.

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