Voila, the Covid protocols are eased and the world is bouncing back to normalcy. After almost 2 years, the trekking season is back in boom. No wonder, the trails are brimming with activity and people around the globe are backpacking to their favorite trekking destinations.
Think trekking and two states that pop into our minds are Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the Mecca for tourists and trekkers alike.
In this blog, we talk about Uttarakhand and the popular trekking locales it offers. We will explore the 6 best summer treks in Uttarakhand. But, before that, here’s a quick overview about the opulent state.
Uttarakhand, the trekking paradise:
Uttarakhand, also called Dev Bhoomi or the Land of Gods, beckons globetrotters from across the world to its attractive environs.
The spring-summer and the summer season in the state offer an unparalleled landscape to tourists and trekkers.
The temperature hovers between 10° to 30° Celsius with crystal clear skies and crisp mountain air.
Uttarakhand’s prime trekking trails bustle with activity during these seasons. Carpeting the Uttarakhand topography is the flora of the region, incredibly exotic and beautiful. If your mind conjures a vista of magic, a boisterous landscape color-washed with brilliant hues, then Uttarakhand is your destination this summer.
Here is a list of six best summertreks in Uttarakhand. These hiking destinations in Uttarakhand are arranged in the order of ascending difficulty level for the comfort of our readers.
Chopta Chandrashila Trek
- Region: Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Duration: 4 days
- Length: 15 km
- Altitude: 13,500 ft
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Best Time to Visit: November to February
This weekend excursion is a treasure trove of possibilities for hikers and trekkers. The Kohinoor of this trek is the visit to the highest shrine of Lord Shiva, Tungnath Temple, perched at an altitude of 12,073 feet. This ancient shrine is one of the five PanchKedar Temples.
The mountain ranges of Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba enamor you throughout the trekking route. Deoria Tal, a water body nestled at an altitude of 7,999 feet is the serene attraction of the Chopta Chandrashila Trek. The mythological lake also has folklore from the times of Mahabharata attached to it.
Chopta Chandrashila Trek is one of the easy summer treks in India and short treks in Uttarakhand. It is an ideal start for beginners and first-time trekkers who want to gain prior experience before embarking on more laborious ones.
Dayara Bugyal Trek
- Region: Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Duration: 6 days
- Length: 24 km
- Altitude: 12,000 ft
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Best Time to Visit: September to June
Dayara Bugyal is a divine trekking locale choc-a-bloc with idyllic flower-decked Bughyals (alpine meadows), high altitude Barnala Taal, thick forests, and much more. It is also called the “meadow trek of India”, for the lush grasslands that it has to offer. The shimmering mountain peaks that surround the meadows act as the guardian angels for the undulating stretches.
The popular Butter festival that the locals celebrate with gusto in the month of August is another highlight of the Dayara Bugyal trek.
The glimpses of Mount Srikanth, Draupadi ka Danda, Jaonli and Bhagirathi and the wholesome view of the imposing Bandarpoonch Mountain are the other attractions of this trekking route.
Dayara Bugyal is an easy trek; the gentle ascent and descent of DayaraBugyal Trek are perfect for beginners and novice trekkers.
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Har Ki Dun Trek
- Region: Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Duration: 7 days
- Length: 47 km
- Altitude: 12,000 ft
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
- Best Time to Visit: April to June
Har Ki Dun, the most exquisite valley in Uttarakhand, is a bewitching destination for all types of tourists. Whether hiking buffs, trekkers, nature lovers, wildlife freaks, or religious devotees, the trek has generous offerings for all! Har ki Dun is one the ancient treks, soaked in spirituality. Its spiritual significance comes from the fact that the Pandavas embarked on this route on their way to heaven.
The hotspots of this expedition are the Jaundhar glacier, the alpine Maninda Tal, and the spectacular views of the majestic Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch peaks.
Other highlights such as the picturesque hamlet of Sankri, the historic Osla village, and Taluka village with its unique architectural splendor are bound to leave you mesmerized.
In short, the trek to Har ki Dun is a magical tryst with nature that captivates your senses with its ethereal beauty and sacred ambiance.
The varying gradients and long route make this trek a bit laborious for beginners.
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek
- Region: Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Duration: 8 days
- Length: 46 km
- Altitude: 14,600 ft
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: May to October, barring July
Want to embark on a destination encompassed in spiritual serenity, mythology, and unparalleled natural beauty? Whoa, an ideal amalgamation of outdoor elements!
Here’s GaumukhTapovan Trek for you, an expedition that takes you to the source of the holy Ganges River!
The prime attraction of the trek is Gaumukh, which translates to mouth of cow in local parlance. It is the source of Bhagirathi River, which gets the name Ganga at DevPrayag.
Gaumukh glacier, the expansive glacier interspersed with huge chunks of ice is a beauty to behold. No wonder this is one of the best treks in Uttarakhand in terms of the wholesome experience it offers. You trail along some of the best alpine meadows and gurgling streams, all this while witnessing the rare flora and fauna of the region.
The trek route is moderately easy interspersed with some tricky maneuvers; ideally suited for new trekkers or for trekkers with some prior trekking experience. But, one has to have good fitness levels to be able to navigate the diverse terrain.
Roopkund Trek
- Region: Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Duration: 8 days
- Length: 53 km
- Altitude: 15,700 ft
- Difficulty Level: Difficult
- Best Time to Visit: May to June
This iconic destination tops the wish list of those who are high on adventure and thrill. Roopkund Trek is one of the mystic treks in Uttarakhand that beckons adventurers to the prime highlight of the trek, the mysterious Roopkund Lake. This glacial lake, believed to be almost 1000 years old, has human skeletal remains at its bottom that become visible once the snow melts.
The trek is also famous for the varying topography, scenic campsites, and mesmerizing views of prominent Himalayan mammoths.
Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti, Neelkanth peak, the Kedarnath peak along with a distinct view of the Chaukhamba range entice your senses with their magnificence.
In a nutshell, Roopkund Trek is a rollercoaster trip of thrill with tricky ascends and sharp descends. The trek is well suited for adventure junkies with some trekking experience. However, even the physically fit amateur trekkers can set their foot on Roopkund trek with prior preparation.
Bali Pass Trek
- Region: Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Duration: 8 days
- Length: 64 km
- Altitude: 16,240 ft
- Difficulty Level: Difficult
- Best Time to Visit: May, June, and September
Grandiose, thrilling, and adventurous, a mountain excursion to the surreal landscape of Uttarakhand; this is Bali Pass Trek for you! But be mindful, this daredevil rendezvous is for brave hearts and experienced trekkers who seek an adrenaline rush in the rugged mountain terrain.
Bali Pass trek is well-stocked with all the rudiments of a Himalayan expedition. The route to this rocky Pass is bedecked with glossy meadows, spectacular campsites, glacial lakes, effervescent mountain streams, dense woodlands- just everything that one can dream of!
The visit to the indomitable Bali pass, the heavenly Ruinsara Lake, and the holy Yamunotri shrine are the eureka moments of the Bali Pass trek.
The soaring peaks that rise in the landscape at the towering Bali Pass make the whole trekking experience monumental. One revel in a 360 view of Bandarpoonch, Kalanag, and Swargarohini peaks, the illustrious Himalayan peaks.
However, this rewarding view comes after an arduous trek that demands extreme levels of physical and mental endurance.
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Bottom line:
It doesn’t matter whether you are an avid trekker or a novice, hiking destinations in Uttarakhand are fun and offer ideal trails for all types of trekking enthusiasts. Whether the tranquil trails or challenging paths, you can have a pinnacle adventure in the midst of lush woodlands, glacier-topped mountains, and turquoise alpine lakes. Not only this, you get the first-hand experience of the ancient culture and rich hospitality of the local populace.
Truly, a worthy experience!
