Uttarakhand Stories

Best winter treks in Uttarakhand – Top 10

by Manoj Bhandari
Nov 18, 2018

Winters in Uttarakhand is always special, its astonishing peaks and heavy snowfall in the upper and lower ranges of Himalaya makes it a delight to trekkers. Being a Himalayan state which is situated in the western range of gigantic Himalaya, Uttarakhand offers a wide variety for those who love to do trekking in winter season. From easy level to difficulty, Uttarakhand has it all. We have hundreds of options for winter treks in Uttarakhand but we have selected the few one, it doesn’t proof that others are less interesting, we have just chosen them for normal tourist and amateur or new trekkers who want to experience trekking experience in winters in the lap of Himalayas.

Guideline we have followed for this winter trekking list in Uttarakhand is:

  1. Their accessibility: If you are a new trekker then reaching to the base camp and conquering the summit of trek is a huge task for you. We have chosen the treks who are easy to reach at the base camp and completing the trek is also easy as the amount of snowfall they receive is not too high however sometime because of excessive snowfall it is hard to do the summit cause invisibility of trekking path.
  2. Difficulty level: Below treks are not very difficult to conquer as their distance is not very long and trekking trail is also medium to walk. If you are doing them first time then please hire a guide.
  3. Services on Trek: It is easy to find a accommodation and food facility on the base camp of all these treks also mule, sleeping bag, trekking equipment, camps and other services are also available at the base campt in case any treks who has night stay option.
  4. Vistas and their natural settings: Most of the trekkers come just to explore the splendid beauty of Himalayas through these treks. These treks offers the best route and natural settings to make your journey even more interesting and amazing.
  5. Snowfall: Yes, they all receive a good amount of snowfall. But excessive snowfall could be dangerous in long treks. Do hire a guide for long treks and always check a weather forecast as trekking route often get hidden in the thick layer of snow.

1. Kedarkantha Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Uttarkashi
Trekking Distance:  12 km (one side from Sankri)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Highest Point: 3810 Meter or 12,500 Feet

Kedarkantha is famously known as the best winter trek of Uttarakhand. Despite Uttarakhand tourism didn’t promote it much but still it receives a huge number of travellers and trekkers every year. The trail of Kedarkantha is magnificent which also has a lake ‘Juda ka Talab‘ in the middle of trek which is also one of the campsite of Kedarkantha. Sankri village is the base camp for this trek which is also a traditional village of Uttarakhand famous for its wooden carved houses and beautiful pahadi culture. Kedakantha trek and Sankri is situated in Govind National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary which offers many other trekking options too. Don’t forget to behold the beauty of sunrise from Kedarkantha Summit.

Need more info on Kedarkantha? Check the below links

About Kedarkantha Trek | Kedarkantha Trekking Packages | Kedarkantha Trek Photos | How to Reach to Kedarkantha Trek

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

Photo by Devasheesh Pant

2. Har ki Doon Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Uttarkashi
Trekking Distance:  27 km (one side From Taluka)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Highest Point: 3500 Meter or 11,482 Feet

Har ki Dun trek is famous for its trek route. The villages on the way of Har ki Doon are itself a great place to discover. Local temples, wooden house and epic culture can mesmerize any traveler. The route passes through the dense forest while crossing a beautiful river and small water streams. Length of the trek is long but it is easy conquer because of less steep. In winters of 2017, Har ki Doon experience an avalanche in which some villagers lost their life so it is highly recommended to do this trek with professional guide.

Need more info on Har ki Doon? Check the below links

About Har ki Dun Trek | Har ki Dun Trekking Packages | Har ki Dun Trek Photos | How to Reach to Har ki Dun Trek

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

3. Khaliya Top Trek in Winter

Region: Kumaon Himalayas
District: Pithoragarh
Trekking Distance:  6 km (one side From Munsyari)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Highest Point: 3500 Meter or 11,482 Feet

Khaliya top is also known as Kuliya top or Khuliya Bugyal, it is a weekend trek and can be completed in a single day. It is famous because of Munsyari a famous hill station situated in Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Views of snow capped Himalayan peaks from Khuliaya Top is just magnificent.  You can check weather forecast for snowfall before starting the trek.

Need more info on Khuliya Top? Check the below links

About Kuliya Top  | Kuliya Top Trek Photos | How to Reach to Kuliya Top

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

Photo by NiCk Becenév

4. Gorson Bugyal Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Chamoli
Trekking Distance:  3 km (one side From Auli)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Highest Point: 3048 Meter or 10,000 Feet

Gorson Bugyal or Gurson Bugyal is a valley of green meadows which receives a good snowfall in the winters and offers some of the splendid slopes of snow. This trek is easy to conquer and couples for families visiting Auli can do this trek as a adventure part of their travel. The highest peak withing India, ‘Nanda Devi’ is the star attraction of this trek.

Need more info on Gurson Bugyal? Check the below links

About Gurson Bugyal Trek | Gurson Bugyal Trekking Packages | Gurson Bugyal Trek Photos | How to Reach Gurson Bugyal

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

5. Dodital Trek Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Uttarkashi
Trekking Distance:  22 km (one side From Sangamchatti)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Highest Point: 3084 Meter or 10,121 Feet

Dodital is a beautiful lake situated in the midst of tall deodar trees. This lake is famously known as the birth place of Lord Ganesha. The lake is about 1.5 km long in circumference and the Himalayan trout fish in the lake are star attraction of this place.

Need more info on Dodital? Check the below links

About Dodital Trek | Dodital Trekking Packages | Dodital Trek Photos | How to Reach Dodital

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

Photo by Sandeep Bisht

6. Brahmatal and Khopariya tal Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Chamoli
Trekking Distance:  12 km (one side From Lohajung)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Highest Point: 3400 Meter or 10,121 Feet

Brahmatal is a lake in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, this lake is dedicated to lord Brahma of Hindusm. The treks route passes through some of the best vistas of nature. It also provide you the option of lake side camping. You can enjoy the view of a wide Himalayan range through this trek like Nanda devi, Trishul and a slight glimpse of Roopkund lake.

Need more info on Brahmatal? Check the below links

About Brahmatal Trek | Brahmatal Trekking Packages | Brahmatal Trek Photos | How to Reach Brahmatal

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

Photo by Sandeep Bisht

7. Ali – Bedni Bugyal Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Chamoli
Trekking Distance:  20 km (one side From Lohajung)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Highest Point: 3084 Meter or 10,121 Feet

Aali Bugyal trek or Bedni Bugyal trek is also situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The trek passes through lusty green meadows offering dense oak forest and snow capped Himalayan peaks view like Nanda devi and Trishul. But after the recent order by High court of Uttarakhand, staying or camping in bugyals or you can say high pasture lands in Himalayas is banned so you can pitch your camps there. You can stay out of the range of bugyals near to streams or in Wan village.

Need more info on Ali-Bedini Bugyal Trek? Check the below links

About Bedni Bugyal Trek | Bedni Bugyal Trek Photos | How to Reach Bedni Bugyal

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

Photo credit: Shantanu Chaudhary

8. Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Rudraprayag
Trekking Distance:  5 km (one side From Chopta)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Highest Point: 3962 Meter or 13,000 Feet

Chopta trek or Tungnath trek or you can say Chandrashila lies on the same path and is a single trek which starts from the Chopta market. The trek is full of green meadows and dense Deodar forest. Chopta is very rich in vegetation and you can experience a wide variety of flora and fauna their. Tungnath temple offers a magnificent view of Chaukhamba peak and you can behold the beauty of 360 degree Himalayan view from Chandrashila. This trek is easy to conquer and one can complete it in single day.

Need more info on Ali-Bedini Bugyal Trek? Check the below links

About Chopta Trek | Chopta Trekking Packages | Chopta Trek Photos | How to Reach Chopta

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

Photo by Shailaj Maithani

9. Dayara Bugyal Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Uttarkashi
Trekking Distance:  10 km (one side From Raithal)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Highest Point: 3048 Meter or 10,000 Feet

Dayara Bugyal are the finest meadows of Himalayan range and offers a unique natural settings to travellers, a place where according to local legends angels live. Trek passes through small water streams, dense forest and everything to which you assume to be. But in winters, Dayara Bugyal a slightly different view as it remains covered in thick blanket of white snow. But trekking to this place even in winter is worth.

Note: After the recent orders by High Court of Uttarkhand, camping and staying at night in Bugyals is banned to save its serenity. But you can visit it in day time can back to your campsite which is away from the bugyal.

Need more info on Dayara Bugyal Trek? Check the below links

About Dayara Bugyal Trek | Dayara Bugyal Trekking Packages | Dayara Bugyal Trek Photos | How to Reach Dayara Bugyal

 

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

10. Devariyatal Trek in Winter

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
District: Rudraprayag
Trekking Distance:  2.5 km (one side From Sari)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Highest Point: 2438 Meter or 8,000 Feet

Devariyatal is also known as Deoriyatal is a splendid lake near to the Ukhimath township of Uttarakhand. The reflection of Chukhambha peak on lake is a sight to behold. Trekkers of all the ages can easily reach to this place as it is just 2.5 km trek. Lake is very spiritual and religious to locals so it is requested to behave like a sensible tourist and don’t litter around the lake. Lake is dedicated to Deoriya nag, a local deity. Please do check the forest department guideline properly before planning the tour or just book a local guide.

Need more info on Devariyatal Trek? Check the below links

About Devariyatal Trek | Devariyatal Trekking Packages | Devariyatal Trek Photos | How to Reach Devariyatal

Winter treks in Uttarakhand

Photo by Praveen Purohit

Also Read: Best Winter Destinations of Uttarakhand

Manoj Bhandari


One Response


Manoj Agarwal Says

Even though I was born in Uttarakhand I never got to visit and explore the beauty of this state but now I can and thanks to your blog I can exactly go to the places and enjoy my time there. I’ll share this blog with my friends.