Uttarakhand, reckoned as the “Land of the Gods” is positioned to the west of Nepal and is the topographic core of the greater Himalayas. It beholds the Garhwal Himalayas in its lap and is the abode to Nanda Devi which is the second tallest peak in India. It also upholds the Gangotri Glacier from where the holy Ganga River originates. Uttarakhand is an empyrean for the mountain aficionados, nature as well as adventure fanatics. The rugged splendor of these sky-high mountains charms trekkers and globetrotters from everywhere. Uttarakhand is a breathtaking fusion of rich lofty snow-capped peaks and dreamy vistas.
Garhwal is elevated in the North West fraction of the Himalayas, is an enthralling expanse that tenders all sorts of exciting trekking opportunities to the adventure-bugs, ranging from effortless to tough. The furrowed elegance of these mountains along with alpine meadows, glacier basins, moraine ridges, and pine forests is soothing to the sore eyes of city dwellers. There are countless trekking trails in Uttarakhand that take you to through various hamlets, temples, lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls. Roopkund, Valley of flowers, Kedarkantha, Pindari Glacier and Gomukh Tapovan are some of the most popular treks in this region. Throughout the year, trekkers flock to the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand to dwell in the tranquillity of its divine mountains.
Top 10 best treks in Uttarakhand
Brahmatal Trek - Winter Trekking In India
The Brahmatal Trek is one of the most beautiful and adventurous winter treks in the Himalayas. You'll be able to see a panoramic view of trees and mountains covered in pristine snow all around you. This particular trek is known for its gorgeous mountain views, with Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti as your companions along the way. The frozen lake is an amazing sight to see and something you won't want to take your eyes off of. The views of the snow-covered mountains are quite enchanting and will leave you speechless. January and February are some of the best months to go trekking in the Himalayas because Brahmatal trekking provides the perfect opportunity to do so without having to deal with large crowds.
Rupin Pass Trek - A Scintillating Trek in the Himalayas
The Rupin Pass is located at 15250 feet in the surreal Himalayan mountain range of Himachal Pradesh. The trek is situated near small hamlets from Dehradun in Uttrakhand to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, providing an opportunity to explore the local culture and beauty. The Rupin Pass trek is one of the most beautiful and complete experiences you can have. It takes you through stunning landscapes, hanging villages, amazing forests, glacial meadows, and across an adrenaline-pumping pass. You'll see countless waterfalls and experience all that the mountains have to offer.
Kedarkantha Trek - A Perfect Himalayan Snow Trek
A Perfect Himalayan Snow Trek
Trekking to Kedarkantha peak is an enchanting experience. It is the most beautiful rounded peak in the Tons river valley mountain range and a highly popular snow trekking destination in India. The trail path is through dense forests and vast meadows, making it possible to trek even in winter. As you walk through the protected area of Govind national park, you will feel soaked in the aura of this magical place.
Kedarkantha is a 3810-meter-high mountain located in the Himalayas, and its picturesque views make it a popular destination for trekkers. The 20-kilometer trek to the summit takes you through verdant vegetation, frozen ponds, and mesmerising peaks. Kedarkantha is especially beautiful during the winter season, making it the perfect time of year to go for a hike.
Char Dham Yatra - the Land of Gods
The four most important pilgrimage destinations in Northern India, namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, collectively known as Char Dham, are nestled among the serene heights of the great Himalayas. Each year, these pilgrimage centres draw the maximum number of pilgrims from all over the country, making them the most important hubs of religious travel in India. According to tradition, the journey always starts in the West and finishes in the East. So, the Char Dham Yatra starts in Yamunotri and then goes to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
The Char Dham Yatra is considered to be one of the most sacred journeys in Hinduism and is believed to cleanse one's sins and bestow salvation upon them. The journey is a challenging one, as it takes pilgrims through some of the most remote and difficult-to-reach areas in the Himalayas. But people say that the rewards of finishing the yatra are well worth the trouble.
Dodital Trek - A Hidden Paradise
Dodital is a freshwater lake in Uttarakhand, India. The trek to Dodital is mostly gentle, with overnight halt options at the villages of Agora or Bebra. According to one myth, Lord Ganesha made this his home. There is a temple devoted to Lord Ganesha here. Another name for this lake is "Dhundital", meaning "Ganesh ka Tal," or "Lake of Ganesha."
Nag Tibba
Nag Tibba is one of the three main ridge peaks in the lower Himalayas, located in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, northeast of Mussoorie. With an altitude of 3100 m, Nag Tibba offers views of Mussoorie, Vikasnagar, the Banderpoonch range, and spurs created by the Yamuna river valley. The famous book '7 Years in Tibet' chronicles Austrian climber Hienrich Harrer's escape from British jail into Tibet.
Nag Tibba is home to some of the most beautiful flora and fauna you'll ever see. With its lush green mountains and dense forests, it's no wonder that people fall in love with this place.
Kedar Tal
Kedartal is a serene and beautiful high-altitude lake that is nestled in the Himalayas close to the Gangotri glacier. The approach to the lake is made up of huge boulders, and there is snow near the lake all year round. The trek starts from Gangotri and goes through stunning birch forests. One of the best things about this trek is that, even though the views are incredible, the trail is still relatively unknown and unspoiled by crowds of trekkers.
Kedarnath Yatra
Kedarnath is located at a distance of 223 kilometers from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and is close to the source of the Mandakini River. It has an elevation of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level. Kedarnath is known for its Kedarnath Temple, which is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus. The town serves as a nagar panchayat in Rudraprayag district. Kedarnath is a small town in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. The town is flanked by snow-capped peaks, most prominently the Kedarnath Mountain. Kedarnath gets heavy snowfall during winter, but by April the snow starts to melt.
Roopkund Trek
The Roopkund trek in India is a favourite among experienced hikers for a good reason: it's breathtaking. As you rise from 8,000 feet to 16,000 feet, you will pass through deep virgin woods, gurgling brooks, and gorgeous campsites. The deep woodland gives way to the magnificent Ali and Bedni Bugyal meadows.
As we continue to climb upward and upward above Roopkund, we are just kept separate from the Trishul by air. Snow-covered mountains and rocky glaciers surround our path.
Dayara Bugyal Trek
The Dayara Bugyal Trek is one of the most picturesque treks in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, and it's easy to see why. Bugyal translates to "high altitude meadow," and the trek is known for its post-winter views of the meadows covered in a beautiful blanket of white snow. The snow carpets everything from the rocks and pebbles on the forest floor to the trees, and reaching the campsite is a delightful experience in itself. The experience of the Dayara Bugyal trekking trail varies depending on the season. It is an ideal beginner trek for those who want to get introduced to the Himalayas. The trek is doable throughout the year and promises stunning views throughout.