Uttarakhand, a state in India located on the lap of the great Himalayas, is a haven for hikers and nature lovers. As a land of various landscapes, clean wildernesses, and many trekking alternatives, Uttarakhand is called “the Land of the Gods”.
There are several breathtaking routes of moderate to hard difficulty here. This paper discusses twenty incredible walks in Uttarakhand.
1. Valley of Flowers Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 10-12 kilometers (one way)
Best Time to Visit: July to September
Duration of Trek: 4 to 6 days
Famous For: Incredible fields of multicolor daisies and other flower carpets adorned with some rare and endemic orchids.
Location: The Valley of Flowers is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, which is a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
2. Har Ki Dun Trek
Trek Distance: Around 50 kilometers (round trip)
Best Time to Visit: This period is between four months (months of April, May, and June), or nine months (months of September, October, and November).
Duration of Trek: 7 to 9 days
Famous For: Unparalleled scenic beauty, virgin landscapes, and a taste of the culture of remote Himalayan settlements.
Location: The Har ki Dun lies in the district of Gowindo Wild Life Sanctuary in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
3. Kedarkantha Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 20 kilometers (round trip)
Best Time to Visit: Winter trek occurs between these months (December to April) and summer trek spans between this period (April to June).
Duration of Trek: 5 to 6 days
Famous For: Beautiful winter picturesque with snow-clad paths and vistas of the Himalayas tops.
Location: An adventure trek commences from Sankri in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
4. Roopkund Trek
Trek Distance: About 53 kilometers (round trip)
Best Time to Visit: March-June and September-October.
Duration of Trek: 8 to 10 days
Famous For: The famous “mystery lake” at Roopkund, also called “skeleton lake” for the bones along its beach. The sight is amazingly spectacular—deep valleys with alpine meadows, and mountain ranges covered in snow.
Location: Roopkund is situated in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand state, which belongs to the Nanda Devi biosphere reserve.
5. Chopta-Chandrashila Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 5-6 kilometers (one way)
Best Time to Visit: All through the year, but mainly in the spring (from March to June) and the autumn (September to November).
Duration of Trek: 1-2 days
Famous For: The magnificent scene from Chandrashila top, virgin forests, and panoramic appearance.
Location: Tungnath and Chandrashila from Chopta are situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
6. Nag Tibba Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 8-10 kilometers (one way)
Best Time to Visit: All year round, but the best time is between October and April.
Duration of Trek: 2-3 days
Famous For: The serene landscapes, stunning Garhwal Himalayas views, and Nag Tibba temple.
Location: Trek from Pantwari village located in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand close to Mussoorie.
7. Pindari Glacier Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 90 kilometers (round trip)
Best Time to Visit: Spring, summer months of either May or June and September or October.
Duration of Trek: 7-8 days
Famous For: Pindari, rhododendron, and the distant Kumaon region.
Location: In this journey, the walk starts in Loharkhet which is near Bageshwar located in the Kumaon district on Uttaranchal.
8. Milam Glacier Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 52 kilometers (one way)
Best Time to Visit: From May-June and September-October.
Duration of Trek: 10-12 days
Famous For: Location near Tibet border, view to Nanda Devi and another mountain chain of Himalaya, and solitude in a quiet environment.
Location: The journey starts at Munsiyari located within the Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand.
9. Kuari Pass Trek:
Trek Distance: A trek of about 33 to 35 km forms the Kuari Pass.
Best Time to Visit: The ideal period to come here is usually in spring (April – May) and late autumn (September – November).
Duration of Trek: It takes five to seven days to complete this journey.
Famous For: The view offered by Kuari Pass is second to none featuring such mountain ranges as the Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Dronagiri peaks. It is an excellent chance to trek across majestic Auli meadows.
Location: The journey commences from the Chamoli region of Uttarakhand, and goes through virgin woods and flowery alpine landscapes, reaching the base camp at Raktang.
10. Rupin Pass Trek:
Trek Distance: The Rupin Pass trek is about 50-52 km long.
Best Time to Visit: It’s best to go there in May, June, September or October.
Duration of Trek: This hike usually lasts between 8 and 10 days.
Famous For: The Rupin Pass trek is a very popular trail that takes you through green pastures, thick woods, and arid highlands among others. They include the Rupin River and the waterfall.
Location: The trek commences at Dhaula, one of the villages found in Uttarkashi district while terminating at Sangla, Himachal Pradesh.
11. Gomukh Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers (one way)
Best Time to Visit: The months between May and June and also between September and October.
Duration of Trek: Typically 5-7 days
Famous For: Gomukh is where the great Gangotri Glaciers snout can be found, from which the Holy River Gange originates. This trek is well known due to its spiritual values, which give a breathtaking view of the glacier and mountain ranges respectively.
Location: This trek commences at Gangotri in the Garhwal division of Uttarakhand.
12. Kalindi Khal Trek
Trek Distance: About 97 kilometers from Gangotri to Badrinath
Best Time to Visit: June to September
Duration of Trek: Usually 12-16 days
Famous For: Kalindi Khal trek in Uttarakhand is among the toughest high-altitude treks in India. It is traversing the Kalindi Pass which lays at a record height above sea level of 18,060 feet and gives stunning views of Gangotri and Badrinath zones.
Location: Starting from Gangotri, one of the popular holy pilgrimages for Hindus, this trek ends at Badrinath, another important place of worship in the state.
13. Auden's Col Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 45-50 kilometers.
Best Time to Visit: Late May to early June or in Sept.-Oct.
Duration of the Trek: 15-20 days.
Famous For: The Auden’s Col trek is known as one of the toughest and highest mountains in the world where one crosses the Auden’s Col at more than five and a half thousand meters. Many experienced trekkers find it renowned for its tech levels with amazing views of the Himalayas.
Location: This is a hike that commences from Gangotri in Uttarakhand, through some of the unspoiled and secluded parts of the Garhwal mountain range, all the way to Kedarnath.
14. Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek:
Trek Distance: Approximately 5 kilometers (one way).
Best Time to Visit: April to November.
Duration of the Trek: 1-2 days.
Famous For: It is a revered hike because it comprises the Tungnath temple – the highest temple of Lord Shiva, and Chandrashila peak offers an awesome sunrise view in the Garhwal Himalaya.
Location: Tungnath and Chandrashila trek begins from Chopta, a village in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand.
15. Dodital Trek:
Trek Distance: Approximately 21 kilometers (one way).
Best Time to Visit: That is during May-June and Sept-Nov.
Duration of the Trek: 4-5 days.
Famous For: There is peaceful Dodital Lake which is encircled by beautiful woodlands as well as an impressive landscape set-up. This trek is easy and ideal for beginners.
Location: A walk begins at Sangamchatti situated close to Uttarkashi and ends up in peaceful Dodital Lake.
16. Gaumukh-Tapovan Trek
Trek Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers one-way
Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to October
Duration of Trek: 6 to 7 days
Famous For: This trek takes you to the source of the Ganges River, the Gaumukh Glacier, and the spiritual meadows of Tapovan, known for its scenic beauty and the presence of sadhus and pilgrims engaged in meditation and yoga.
Location: The trek starts from Gangotri, a sacred town in Uttarakhand.
17. Kedar Tal Trek
Trek Distance: About 17 kilometers one way
Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to October
Duration of Trek: 6 to 7 days
Famous For: Kedar Tal is a pristine glacial lake surrounded by snow-clad peaks, offering breathtaking views and serene landscapes. It's known for its natural beauty and spiritual significance.
Location: The trek begins from Gangotri and leads to Kedar Tal in the Gangotri region.
18. Binsar Trek
Trek Distance: Varies depending on the specific trek route
Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to November
Duration of Trek: Can range from 2 to 5 days
Famous For: Binsar is a wildlife sanctuary and trekking destination known for its rich biodiversity. Trekkers can spot various flora and fauna, making it an ideal trek for nature enthusiasts.
Location: Binsar is situated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
19. Kuflon Basics Trek
.png)
Trek Distance: Approximately 8 to 10 kilometers, depending on the specific trail chosen
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year, but it's most pleasant during spring and autumn.
Duration of Trek: 2 to 3 days
Famous For: Kuflon is a hidden gem offering a tranquil and serene trek experience. It's perfect for a peaceful getaway and is known for its scenic beauty and simplicity.
Location: Kuflon is a picturesque village located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
20. Tiffen Top Trek
Trek Distance: The Tiffin Top Trek in Nainital encompasses a distance of approximately three kilometers (one and an eight-tenths miles) one way.
Best Time to Visit: During the spring, summer, and early autumn- March to November – is the best time for a Tiffin Top trek. It is warm during this time of the year, giving a beautiful view of greenery in the background and an all-clear trek.
Duration of Trek: The trip to Tiffin Top is normally one and a half hours of hike which makes it good for a day journey.
Famous For: Tiffintop, otherwise called Dorothey’s seat, is famous for its splendid long-distance sights of Nainital township, lake Naini, and Kumauan Hills. This trek takes the visitors to a point where it was designated for a British woman called Dorothy Kellet whom Colonel John Paul Kellert designated in remembrance of him during the British era.
Location: Tiffin Top lies in the Ayarpatta region of the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state, India. It is placed at a height of about 2,290 meters (7,513 feet) above sea level and is approachable through the northern town. A good signposted path starting from the downtown area will take you up the hill to the lookout point.
There are lot many other things to explore in the Nainital district https://traveltripzone.blogspot.com/2023/10/beautiful-lakes-in-nainital-for-tourist.html
Conclusion
The pristine nature of the Himalayas is waiting to be discovered through trekking trails that will lead you on a journey to explore nature at its best and help you exceed your own physical and mental limits. The 20 treks are ideal regardless of whether you are an amateur or an expert trekker.
It is during this journey that the wild and natural landscapes will be discovered, alongside the spirit and culture of the region, all of which will constitute one complete adventure for all explorers. Therefore wrap up, slip on a backpack, and hit those trails in Uttarakhand.
If you are looking to travel to Uttarakhand visit this blog https://traveltripzone.blogspot.com/2023/09/amazing-tourist-places-in-uttarakhand.html
👍
ReplyDelete