Best Treks in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a land of adventure and divinity. There is every reason why it is called Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The snow-clad Himalayan mountain peaks have a deep-rooted mythological significance. But to trek on these mountains is an experience of a lifetime. The mighty Himalayan mountains in Uttarakhand are full of glaciers, forests, alpine lakes, wildlife, high-altitude passes, grassy meadows, and rustic hamlets. Trekking is the best adventure activity that you can do in Uttarakhand. Some of the treks in Uttarakhand can be done in winter. But most treks can be done during the summer season. The trekking destinations in Uttarakhand are breathtaking in scenery and beauty. Some of these treks in Uttarakhand are ideal for beginners, while some are suited for more experienced trekkers. These are some of the most famous treks in Uttarakhand.

Read More: Uttarakhand Travel Packages

1. Har ki Doon Trek

Har ki Doon is a beautiful scenic valley in Gobind Vallabh Pant National Park. This Trek takes you through the most scenic landscapes of Uttarakhand. You will come across remote villages, alpine meadows, scenic valleys, and pine forests. This is one of the treks that you can do in summer and winter. Har ki Doon Trek is a week-long trek where you can camp and rest for the night. This trek shows you the most scenic views of Swargarohini, Kala Nag, and Bandarpoonch mountain peaks. Har ki Doon Trek is a legendary trekking route that was taken by the Pandavas when they ascended the Swargarohini Peak to go to the heavens.

• Highest altitude: 3566 meters (11,675 ft)
• Trek duration: 7 to 9 days
• Ideal season: April to June, September to December
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

2. Kedarkantha Trek

Kedarkantha Trek is one of the oldest and most popular treks in Uttarakhand. The trekking route reaches the summit of Kedarkantha Peak and gives you mind-blowing views of the surrounding mountains. You will find many camping sites along this trekking route. You will pass through dense pine and deodar forests. The valleys look beautiful when they are covered with snow during winter treks to Kedarkantha. You will find many open grasslands on the trekking route. Kedarkantha Trek is best for beginners.

• Highest altitude: 3800 mts (12,500 ft)
• Trek duration: 6 days
• Ideal season: December to March
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

3. Kuari Pass Trek

Kuari Pass Trek is among the best treks in Uttarakhand. This trek shows you some of the best landscapes in Uttarakhand. You will be able to see the confluence of rivers, high mountain peaks, dense forests, camping grounds, and nomadic villages. The highlight of this trek is the view of the most famous mountain peak of Nanda Devi. But the views of Trishul, Dronagiri, Chaukhamba, and Kamet are no less magnificent. The trekking trail crosses many rivers like Pinder, Kaliganga, and Dhauli Ganga will make this trek even more exciting. You can walk through dense forests and spot some animals on this trek.

• Highest altitude: 12,598 ft
• Trek duration: 6 days
• Ideal season: March to mid-June, mid-September to early November
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

4. Roopkund Trek

Roopkund Lake is one of the best trekking destinations in Uttarakhand. This is a mysterious lake where you will find 500 human skeletons around the lake. Roopkund Lake Trek trail takes trekkers along icy glaciers, pastoral meadows, deep forests, brooks, and small hamlets. You will be able to see the beauty of Bedni Bugyal, which is a high-altitude meadow of immense natural beauty. Trekkers also get to view the towering mountain peak of Trishul on this trek. The views of Dronagiri, Kamet, and Hathi-Ghoda Parvat are no less exciting.

• Highest altitude: 15,696 ft.
• Trek duration: 8 days
• Ideal seasons: April, May, June, September, October, November
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

5. Dayara Bugyal Trek

Dayara Bugyal is one of the most beautiful high-altitude meadows in the country. This Trek goes through a trail that is full of forests, valleys, mountain views, alpine landscapes, and Himalayan wildlife. You get to see the peaks of Bandarpoonch, Shrikhand Mahadev, Gangotri peaks, and Kala Nag in all its splendid beauty. You will find the best camping sites like Dayara Top which is surrounded by meadows, forests, and lakes. The grassland looks green in summer and is covered with snow during winter.

• Highest altitude: 12,100 ft.
• Trek duration: 6 days
• Ideal season: summer (April, May, June) Autumn (September, October, November)
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

6. Pindari Glacier Trek

Pindari Glacier Trek shows you so many diverse landscapes in one trek. You will see glaciers, river streams, forests, valleys, pastures, mountaintops, and isolated villages. Pindari Glacier Trek trail shows you the true beauty of Nanda Devi, Maiktoli, Panwali Dwar, and other mountains. Pindar river originates from Pindari Glacier and meets Alaknanda at Karnaprayag. This trek is one of the best treks for beginners who want some trekking experience. Pindari Glacier is also one of those glaciers which is very accessible and easy to reach.

• Highest altitude: 3350 mts (12,300 ft.)
• Trek duration: 7 days
• Ideal season: summer (April, May, June) Autumn (September, October, November)
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

7. Gangotri Glacier Trek

Gangotri Glacier Trek is a trek to the Gangotri Glacier. This is one of the largest glaciers in India. This glacier is also the source of the river Ganga. The trek starts from Gangotri and takes you to pine forests, flowering valleys, and mountain views. You walk along the banks of the Bhagirathi river on this trek. You can view the mountain peaks of Neelkanth and Bhagirathi group of peaks on this trip. Gangotri Glacier is in the Chaukhamba range of peaks and is surrounded by Thalay Sagar, Meru, Shivlinga, and other mountain peaks.

• Highest altitude: 4400 mts (14,203 ft.)
• Trek duration: 8 days
• Ideal season: mid-April to June, September to November
• Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult

8. Gorson Bugyal Trek

If you are visiting Auli, you should do this trek. The Gorson Bugyal Trek is one of the very famous treks in Uttarakhand. This trek offers the best views of Nanda Devi, Hathi-Ghodi peak, Chaukhamba, and Dronagiri peaks. Gorson Bugyal is one of the beautiful high-altitude meadows. Gorson Bugyal Trek is a trek that you can do in summer and winter. You will pass through pine and deodar forests, lush green valleys, and mountain streams. Along with these activities, you can also take a holy dip at Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river confluence at Devprayag. You can also have a ropeway ride in Auli.

• Highest altitude: 3519 mts (11,545 ft.)
• Trek duration: 7 days
• Ideal season: April to mid-June, September to December
• Difficulty level: Easy

9. Kedarnath Trek

Kedarnath is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for the Hindus. But the Kedarnath Trek is also very exciting. The trek to Kedarnath Temple starts from Gaurikund and after a trek of 16 km reaches Kedarnath Temple. You will get to see the beauty of the Alaknanda and Mandakini and Bhagirathi rivers when they meet each other at Devprayag and Rudraprayag. You can stay at many campsites along this trek. Pilgrims will join you along this trekking route and the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev” will reverberate through the entire trek. Once you reach Kedarnath Temple, you will be mesmerized by the views of glaciers and the snow-clad mountain peaks surrounding Kedarnath Temple.

Read More: Shri Kedarnath Tour Packages

• Highest altitude: 3583 mts (12,500 ft.)
• Trek duration: 6 days
• Ideal season: Summer trek (April to June), Winter trek (September to October)
• Difficulty level: Moderate

10. Kedartal Trek

Kedartal Lake Trek is one of those treks which takes you closest to the Himalayan mountains. It is a glacial lake that is surrounded by mighty peaks like Thalay Sagar, Meru, Bhrigupanth, Gangotri, Manda Parvat, Jogin, and others. The reflection of these peaks on the Kedartal Lake is a sight to behold. Gangotri is the starting point of this trek. The trek distance is 18 km from Gangotri to Kedartal Lake. You will have to climb some steep mountain slopes and step over boulders on this trek. This trek is not for beginners and is pretty tough. The trek starts from 11000 ft and reaches a height of 16000 ft.

• Highest altitude: 15,484 ft
• Trek duration: 7 days
• Ideal seasons: April, May, June, September, October, November
• Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult

11. Madmaheshwar Trek

Madhmaheshwar Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples in Uttarakhand. Going on this Madhmaheshwar Trek takes you through mountain valleys, pine forests, high-altitude grasslands, and scenic views. Madhmaheshwar Trek gives you some of the best views of the Chaukhamba range of mountains from close range. The trek passes through Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and you can spot wild animals and birds very closely on this trek. Madhmaheshwar Trek is a trek where you will visit bugyals (alpine grasslands) on your way. You will have a golden chance to walk with pilgrims on their way to Madhmaheshwar Temple.

• Highest altitude: 3490 mts (11,450 ft.)
• Trek duration: 3 days
• Ideal season: Summer months (May to August), Winter months (September to November)
• Difficulty level: Easy

12. Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek

Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek is one of the best treks in Uttarakhand. The trek goes through glaciers, valleys, alpine grasslands, and forests. The views of Nanda Devi are the main attraction of this trek. You can spot the wildlife of Nanda Devi National Park on this trek. The trek route leads to the base of Nanda Devi. All through this trek, you will see the mountain peaks of Nanda Devi, Panch Chuli, Trishul, and Nanda Kot peaks. The trek takes you to Panchu Glacier and there are several places on this trek route where you can camp for the night in the open.

• Highest altitude: 3,900 mts (13,123 ft)
• Trek duration: 11 days
• Ideal season: Mid-March to mid of June. Mid-September to mid of October.
• Difficulty level: Moderate

13. Dodital Trek

Dodital Trek ranks among the most famous treks in Uttarakhand. The trek is a golden opportunity to spot Himalayan birds and also the views of Dhauladhar and Greater Himalayan mountain ranges are fascinating. The trekking trail of Dodital Trek goes through mountain streams, pine forests, lakes, waterfalls, and picturesque landscapes of Uttarakhand. You can pass through meadows and villages along this route. Dodital Lake is a high-altitude lake that offers beautiful sweeping views of the Himalayan mountains. You can catch some trout on the way and if you are an avid birdwatcher, this trek is a boon.

• Highest altitude: 3310 mts (13,600 ft)
• Trek duration: 7-8 days
• Ideal season: Summer (April to June), Winter (October to December)
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

14. Auden’s Col Trek

Auden’s Col is a high-altitude mountain pass and is one of the best trekking destinations in Uttarakhand. It is named after John Bicknell Auden, who was a geologist in the Geological Survey of India, who discovered this col. A col is a term that is used to describe the lowest point of a ridge between two mountains. Auden’s Col Trek offers scintillating views of Gangotri, Bhagirathi, and Jogin group of mountain peaks, as also those of Kedar dome and Rudragaira. This is a difficult trek where you can camp in the meadows. The blissful views of surrounding mountains, glaciers, grasslands, and mountain passes are gorgeous. You can see lakes, waterfalls, and mountain valleys along this trek route.

• Highest altitude: 5400 mts (18,050 ft.)
• Trek duration: 14 days
• Ideal season: Mid-May to Mid-June, and September
• Difficulty level: Tough

15. Valley of Flowers Trek

When you go on the Valley of Flowers Trek when the valley is in full bloom it is the most gorgeous sight to behold. People normally undertake the Valley of Flowers Trek with a visit to the highest gurudwara in the world, which is Hemkund Sahib. The Valley of Flowers is UNESCO Heritage Site with incredible natural beauty. Valley of Flowers is a valley with wildflowers that bloom in so many colors. There is a hidden lake near which also you will find many of these wildflowers. Standing in the valley is an experience of a lifetime as the fragrances and fresh aromas of these wildflowers surround you.

• Highest altitude: 3500 mts (14,400 ft)
• Trek duration: 6 days
• Ideal season: End of June to the middle of September
• Difficulty level: Moderate

16. Chopta-Tungnath Trek

Chopta is a small hill station in Uttarakhand and is also the starting place of the Chopta Tungnath Trek. The trek ends at Tungnath Temple, which is regarded as the highest Shiva temple in the entire world. The trekking route is full of scenic mountain and valley views. You will feel the soft mists of clouds overhang before you, and beyond, the Himalayan mountain peaks lend a scenic vista to the trek. You pass through dense forests of pine, oak, and deodar trees. During winter, snow will cover most of the mountain peaks. You will see the mountain peaks of Nanda Devi, Panchchuli, Kedarnath, and Nilkanth over the horizon. You will pass through waterfalls, and lush greenery and the forest trails offer fantastic views of Chopta and Garhwal Himalayas.

• Highest altitude: 3600 mts (13,000 ft.)
• Trek duration: 1 day
• Ideal season: April to June. The month of September.
• Difficulty level: Moderate

17. Bagini Glacier Trek

Bagini Glacier Trek is one of the most scenic treks in Uttarakhand. There are so many wonderful things about this trek. The trail passes through rocky boulders, river streams, lush green valleys, dense forests, grasslands, glaciers, and waterfalls. The best thing about this trek is that it gives you a golden chance to explore the fascinating Nanda Devi National Park. The terrain and landscapes that come in front of you are enough to mesmerize you with their beauty. The trekking trail offers you beautiful views of Hathi-Ghodi Parvat, Rishi Parvat, and the snow-capped Himalayan peaks of Changabang, Kalanka, and Dunagiri.

• Highest altitude: 7066 mts (14,800 ft.)
• Trek duration: 9 days
• Ideal season: Summers (April to June), Autumn (September to November)
• Difficulty level: Moderate

18. Binsar Trek

Binsar is one of those little-known hill stations in Uttarakhand where you can enjoy the virgin and unpolluted Himalayan climate and soak in the natural beauty. This Trek follows a trekking trail that is full of wonderful waterfalls, valleys, river streams, pine forests, wild animals, birds, and mighty mountain peaks. The trek offers you the most unhindered views of the snow-covered Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Panchchuli, and Shivling mountain peaks. You can camp or stay in small villages along this trekking route. On route, you can also visit Jageshwar Temple.

• Highest altitude: 2,420 mts (8100 ft.)
• Trek duration: 2 days
• Ideal season: Summer treks (April to June), Winter treks (November to February), Autumn treks (September to November).
• Difficulty level: Easy

19. Brahmatal Trek

The most wonderful thing about Brahmatal Trek is that you can camp beside Brahmatal Lake. Brahmatal Trek is one of the popular treks in Uttarakhand, which attracts trekkers. Another highlight of this trek is that it offers beautiful views of Mount Trishul and Mount Nandaghunti from Brahmatal Lake. Along with these mountain peaks, you also see Nilkanth, Chaukhamba, Kamet, and Hathi-Ghoda mountain peaks. The trekking trail passes through lush green forests, high-altitude meadows, waterfalls, flowering shrubs, rocky boulders, and small villages. There are many camping places on this trekking route where you can camp in the open.

• Highest altitude: 3734 mts (12,200 ft.)
• Trek duration: 6 days
• Ideal season: Winter (November to March)
• Difficulty level: Easy to moderate