Uttarakhand is one of the most beautiful and popular states of India, since is it surrounded by the Himalayan range and you get to experience some of the best views which are a treat to your eyes, during your trip to Uttarakhand. It is a place of religious significance, and hence, it is also known as ‘Devbhoomi’ which means the Land of Gods, since some of the most important Hindu pilgrimages are situated in Uttarakhand. There are a lot of important temples on the peaks of the mountains in Uttarakhand and therefore, a lot of pilgrims visit Uttarakhand every year and treks to visit the temples. It is one state that is loved by both devotees and adventure seekers, since the treks of Uttarakhand and super thrilling along with the mesmerizing landscapes and a lot of adventure activities. If you are a travel freak, then Uttarakhand and its treks must be there in your bucket list.
Let us have a quick look at the 20 best trekking places in Uttarakhand which you cannot skip at any cost. Follow our recommendations below and plan your trip to Uttarakhand soon.
1. Valley Of Flowers Trek
Valley of Flowers Trek is situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is a paradise on earth as this is something you must have only seen in movies on the screen. This trek is definitely a soul-stirring journey and you have to ensure that you are fit enough to do this trek, Notably, Valley of Flowers is also a World Heritage Site. It takes almost 7 days to complete this trek where you get to witness magical landscapes with breathtaking views of flowers all around. It is also important from a biodiversity point of view since it has rare flora and fauna such as Brahma Kamal.
Duration: 6 to 7 days
2. Har Ki Dun Trek
Har Ki Dun is another popular trek of Uttarakhand which is known for its unique cradle-shaped valley and is also situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. You get to witness the famous Swargarohini range from the peak of this mountain. It is one of the top treks on the bucket lists of the trekking freaks. On the way to the peak, you will witness the ancient Garhwali culture in the villages like Osla and Sanskrit which are a part of this trek. It is said that it is one of the few treks which is the best example of experiencing ancient culture and the beauty of mountains at the same time.
Duration: 7 to 8 days
3. Roopkund Trek
Roopkund trek is famous for the unique Roopkund Lake on the peak which is known for the skeletal remains that were found on the shore years back, which was quite mysterious. You get to experience beautiful lush green meadows on the way along with snowfields as you keep climbing the mountains since the temperature changes every minute. You get to see the panoramic views of the Trishul range from the peak of this mountain. The overall experience of this trek is just surreal.
Duration: 8 to 9 days
4. Kedarkantha Trek
Kedarkantha is again a trek which is very important from a religious point of view. You get to witness the 360-degree panoramic view with some of the most important peaks visible from there, including the Kinner Kailash Range, Bandarpoonch, and more. Kedarkantha is definitely a peak that you must visit and experience camping in the snow-covered mountains. You also get to see the beauty of the snow-covered Himalayas from the top.
Duration: 6 to 7 days
5. Gangotri Glacier Trek
It is another important trek of Uttarakhand as you get to witness the source of the sacred river of India, the Ganges. This trek is quite challenging and one must have a little experience of trekking to embark on this journey. On your way, you pass by rough terrains, and also come across the Gaumukh and experience the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda at the Devprayag which is also known as the ‘Sangam’.
Duration: 8 to 10 days
6. Kuari Pass Trek
Kuari Pass Trek is also known as the ‘Curzon Trek’, which is a name given after Lord Curzon, who was the former Viceroy of India. This trek is a beautiful journey that starts from the very charming, Joshimath Village. You walk through the dense oak tree forest and as you climb up, you get to witness the breathtaking views of lush green meadows of Auli. Auli is another popular hill station of Uttarakhand which is covered with snow during the winter and is one of the most popular skiing and adventure sports destinations in India. From the peak of this trek, you get to see the snow-covered mountain ranges like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and more.
Duration: 6 to 7 days
7. Dodital Trek
Dodital trek is another trek that has a mythological story behind it, and hence it is treated as a religiously significant trek. According to Hindu mythology, it has some connection with Lord Ganesha. You get to witness the mesmerizing panoramic views of the Gangotri and Yamunotri ranges from the top of this mountain and you also trek through the Darwa Pass which is another adventure in itself with some of the most beautiful views.
Duration: 5 to 6 days
8. Auden’s Col Trek
If you love thrills, then the Auden’s Col trek is for you. It is one of the most challenging treks of Uttarakhand which connects the Gangotri and the Kedarnath Valley. You trek through a lot of glaciers and some of the highest passes in India during this trekking experience. This is the true test of any trekker or adventure freak but it does feel like an achievement once you reach there. So, if you are looking for a trek full of adventures, go for this one.
Duration: 15 to 18 days
9. Binsar Trek
Binsar trek takes you to the very popular Binsar wildlife sanctuary which is known for its super rich biodiversity and a lot of unique flora and fauna. You won’t be able to take your eyes off from the views this trek offers you. If you love nature, you get to see some of the most beautiful birds of your life from the peak, and of course, the panoramic views of the snow-covered mountain range like Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, and more.
Duration: 4 to 5 Days
10. Pindari Glacier Trek
Pindar River is one of the most important rivers of Uttarakhand which comes from the Pindari Glacier. The trek to the source of this river is quite tricky and requires enough trekking experience. You get to witness the local culture of Uttarakhand on your way, as you pass through the ancient villages like Saung and Loharkhet. Also, when you reach the top, you get to see the mesmerizing view of the Nanda Devi range from there, which feels so surreal.
Duration: 7 to 8 days
11. Nag Tibba Trek
Nag Tibba is another important trek of Uttarakhand which is popular for its diverse flora and Fauna and of course, the Himalayan black bear that are seen in this region. It is definitely not an easy trek since it’s quite steep, however, witnessing the sunrise from the summit is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you cannot miss. One needs to trek overnight to reach summit before the sunrise. You get to see ranges like Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, and Gangotri from the top of this trek.
Duration: 2 to 3 days
12. Tungnath and Chandrashila Trek
Tungnath is known as one of the highest Shiva temples in India and has a very significant religious value. You will enjoy your trek to Tungnath as you get to witness some of the most beautiful and panoramic views of the valley on the way. Chandrashila also has some mythological connections with Lord Ram. It is one of the highest peaks in India and when you reach the top, the weather changes every 30 seconds. It is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience to reach the top of Chandrashila and experience the sunrise or sunset from there.
Duration: 4 to 5 days
13. Harsil to Dodital Trek
Explore the charming village of Harshil which is situated at the banks of Bhagirathi River in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. You pass through this beautiful and ancient village and reach the pristine Dodital Lake. Experience the tranquillity of Dodital, surrounded by dense forests and the Dayara Bugyal meadow. If you are someone who loves spending time amid nature, you are definitely going to enjoy this trek as it takes you through the beautiful Deodar and Oak tree forests.
Duration: 5 to 6 days
14. Rupin Pass Trek
The Rupin Pass trek is one of the most unique treks as you see the transition from the lush greenery on the way, to the barren landscapes within no time. This beautiful trek starts from the village of Dhaula and you get to witness dense forests, mesmerizing meadows, and much more on the way. You cross the Rupin River during your trek which is one of the most thrilling experiences of this trek as you pass a wooden bridge which is quite adventurous and makes this trek even more exciting.
Duration: 8 to 9 days
15. Dayara Bugyal Trek
Explore the high-altitude meadows of Dayara Bugyal, known for its extensive stretches of alpine grasslands. This vast meadow turns into a carpet of wildflowers which gives you a breathtaking view when you visit here during the summer and spring. You can enjoy skiing during winter and witness a 360-degree view of the Himalayan peaks from the meadows. This is one trek that you can visit any time of the year and experience the natural beauty and also witness peaks like Bandarpoonch, Draupadi Ka Danda, and more from the top.
Duration: 5 to 6 days
16. Kalindi Khal Trek
Kalindi Khal trek is one of the most important treks from a historical point of view since it connects the Gangotri and Badrinath regions. This trek becomes even more challenging as you pass through the Gaumukh glacier on the way also get to see the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Rivers which is known as the Sangam in Devprayag. This is quite a tough trek, especially for those who are beginners.
Duration: 16 to 18 days
17. Khatling Glacier Trek
Khatling glacier trek is one of the unexplored treks of Uttarakhand. It is a remote glacier that is surrounded by some important and higher peaks like Meru and Thalay Sagar. You cross multiple high-altitude passes during this trek and also get to witness one of the most picturesque villages of Uttarakhand on the way, called Ghuttu. If you are someone who really enjoys the remote areas where there is peace and nature, you must visit this trek.
Duration: 10 to 12 days
18. Kedarkantha Base Camp Trek
Kedar Kantha is a very important trek in itself looking at its religious significance, but at the same time, its base camp is a base for multiple challenging treks of Uttarakhand. It is not easy to even complete the trek till the base camp if you are not fit enough. The views from the base camp are breathtaking and you also get to witness the beautiful Gangotri and Yamunotri range from the base camp which looks stunning.
Duration: 6 to 7 Days
19. Madmaheshwar Trek
Madmaheshwar Trek takes you to one of the most ancient Shiva Temples of Uttarakhand. This trek is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and is visited by a lot of pilgrims throughout the year. You have to trek through the lush green meadows to reach here, and you witness an infinite number of breathtaking views on the way.
Duration: 5 to 6 Days
20. Satopanth Lake Trek
Satopanth Lake is very important according to Hindu mythology as it is said to be the abode of Lord Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. This lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and a lot of glacial landscapes. Visiting this trek is a challenging experience so you must plan it accordingly.
Duration: 8 to 10 days
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Trekking Places in Uttarakhand
Q1: What Is The Best Time To Go For All The Treks Above?
A: The ideal time to go for trekking is summer which is May to June or post the rainy season, which is September to November to experience the pleasant weather in the mountains.
Q2: When Can I Witness Snow On These Treks?
A: You get to witness snow between the months of December to February on these treks. There is no fixed time. Sometimes snow falls in early December and sometimes by the middle of January. Please mind that the treks become even more challenging with snow.
Q3: Are The Above Treks Beginners Friendly?
A: Not all the above treks are beginner-friendly. While some treks like Nag Tibba and Dayara Bugyal are easy to moderate, treks like Kalindi Khal and Auden’s Col are really very challenging which you shouldn’t pursue without prior experience.
Q4: Do We Need Any Permits To Do These Treks?
A: Yes, permits are required to do some of these treks. If you are booking the trekking experience with any travel company, they usually take care of all the documentation including the permits.
Q5: What Is The Accommodation Facility On These Treks?
A: You have to go camping on most of these treks. In most cases, the travel companies provide the camps and sleeping bags, and sometimes the travellers carry their own camping stuff.