Top 7 Trekking Destinations Of Uttarakhand
Category: Travel | Updated On: September 2, 2026 | Published: July 8, 2025
Introduction
The total stretch of the Himalayan ranges in India is about 2500 km in length and 400 km in width. This creates infinite opportunities for hiking and trekking. Thousands of treks are currently popular in India. Out of all these treks, many are in the state of Uttarakhand, which is the home of natural beauty, pilgrimage, and adventure sports.
In this blog, we are going to list the top 7 trekking destinations of Uttarakhand, which should be on your bucket list. So, without wasting time, let's dive deep into this topic to explore some of the most valuable gems of Uttarakhand.
Kedarkantha trek
- Location: Uttarkashi district (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary), Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)
- Distance: 22 km (11 km one-way)
- Duration: 3 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: December–April (winter)
Located at an altitude of 3810 meters above sea level in the Garhwal region of Uttarkashi in Govind's wildlife sanctuary, this is one of the most beautiful winter treks of Uttarakhand. The trek to Kedarkantha peak is well known for its summit and the panoramic 360-degree view of snow-capped mountains all around the Kedarkantha summit. Some of the most famous peaks that are visible from the summit of this trek are Swargarohini, Bandarpooch, and Black Peak.
So this trek starts from the quaint village of Sankri, which is located at a distance of 200 km from Dehradun. The total trekking trail is 22 km, i.e., 11 km from one side, and can be completed in 3 days. The trekking trails will wander around the dense forest with wide clearings at some locations. It is famous as the winter trek because, during the winter season, most of the trekking trails remain covered under the snow with frozen Juda ka Talaab, making it a fairyland. Fresh snowfall adds a delightful touch to the experience. You can book your Kedarkantha trek package with us for a hassle-free and safe trekking experience.
Brahmatal Trek
- Location: Chamoli district (via Lohajung), Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 3,734 m (12,250 ft)
- Distance: 22 km
- Duration: 4 days (3 nights)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: December–March (winter)
Another beautiful trek in Uttarakhand is the trek to Brahmatal Lake. As per the locals, it is widely said that Lord Brahma had meditated here during his time on earth. So, just imagine that, what should be the beauty of this place, that even the lord Brahma (the creator of the universe) had selected this place for meditation.
Located at an altitude of 12250 feet above sea level, the Brahmatal trek is one of the most famous trekking destinations of Uttarakhand and is mostly famous as a winter trek in India. The total trekking distance of this trek is 22 km, which can be covered in 4 days and 3 nights, and is ideal both for seasonal and regular trekkers. From the summit of this trek, you will get a chance to view some of the major Himalayan peaks like Mt. Nandagunti, Trishul, and Chaukhambha.
The Trek for Brahmatal Trek Package starts from the quaint village of Lohajung, which is located at a distance of 286 km from Dehradun. The trekking trails will wind around dense forests, frozen lakes, remote ridges, and high-altitude camping sites in India. This trek will not only give you the natural beauty, but you can also feel peace and serenity on this trek.
Chopta Tungnath Trek
- Location: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 3,680 m (12,070 ft) at Tungnath; up to 4,000 m (13,123 ft) at Chandrashila
- Distance: 3.5–5 km one-way
- Duration: 1 day (day hike)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best Time to Visit: March–June & September–December
Another beginner-friendly yet beautiful trek of Uttarakhand is the trek from Chopta to the Tungnath temple. This name is formed by two words: Chopta, which is one of the most famous hill stations of Uttarakhand and well known as the "Switzerland of India" due to its impeccable beauty, and the other word is Tungnath Temple, which is the highest Shiva temple on earth and is an integral part of the Panch Kedar temples (the other temples are Kedarnath temple, Madhyamaheshwar temple, Rudranath temple, and Kalpeshwar temple). In this temple, the forelimbs of Lord Shiva in the form of Nandi are being worshipped.
Located at an altitude of 12070 feet above sea level in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It's a short trek, or you can call it a day hike, which is just 3.5 km (one side) and can be extended to 5 km if you go till the summit of this trek, i.e., Chandrashila peak. From the summit of this trek, you can see a 360-degree view of some of the most beautiful Himalayan peaks, like Nanda Devi, Chaukhambha, and Trishul.
Dayara Bugyal Trek
- Location: Uttarkashi district (via Raithal), Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 3,400 m (11,155 ft)
- Distance: 22 km
- Duration: 3-4 days
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best Time to Visit: November–March (winter) or April–June (summer)
The word "Bugyal" came from the local Garhwali language, which means high-altitude grassland. The trek to Dayara Bugyal is one of the most scenic and beginner-friendly treks. If you are planning your trek with kids or your family members, then Dayara Bugyal is one of the most ideal trekking destinations of Uttarakhand.
Located at an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, the Dayara Bugyal trek is one of the most famous trekking destinations of Uttarakhand. This trek starts from the quaint village of Raithal, and the total trekking distance is 22 km, which can be completed in 3 to 4 days from the base camp, but the trekking gradient is very easy, making it ideal for kids and families. Some of the most famous mountain peaks that are visible from the summit of this trek are Bandarpooch, Draupadi ka Danda, and Black Peak.
Valley of Flowers
- Location: Chamoli district (via Govindghat), Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 3,353–3,658 m (11,000–12,000 ft)
- Distance: —
- Duration: 3-4 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: July–August (monsoon bloom)
Imagine you are walking in a valley full of flowers; it appears like a dreamland, right? Yes, but it's not a dreamland; there is a trek in Uttarakhand that will take you to one such location, which is widely known as the Valley of Flowers trek. This valley is located between the altitudes of 11000 and 12000 feet above sea level, in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition to this valley on this trek, you will also get a chance to visit one of the highest Gurudwaras of India, i.e., Hemkund Sahib.
The Valley of Flowers trek starts from Govindghat, which is located at a distance of 300 km from Dehradun. This trek can be completed in 3 to 4 days from the base camp. This trek opens only during the monsoon season, as flowers bloom the most in this season. In this valley, you will get to experience more than 1000 varieties of wild flowers all around.
Har Ki Dun Trek
- Location: Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 3,566 m (11,700 ft)
- Distance: 47-50 km
- Duration: 7-8 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Time to Visit: May–June & September–October
The lateral meaning of this word is "Valley of God," which is located in the lap of the Himalaya in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It got its name due to its impeccable beauty and especially the marvelous view of the cradle-shaped valley, which is located at an altitude of 3566 meters above sea level. The trails of this trek will take you through the alpine meadows, dense pine forests, and a crystal-clear river flowing along with a wide range of blooming flora and fauna.
Different from what was mentioned above, this trek is well known as a summer trek and a bit of a lengthy one, with a total trekking distance of 47 to 50 km, which can be covered in a duration of 7 to 8 days from Dehradun.
The most favorable time to do the Har Ki Dun trek is in the months of May to June and September to October. Avoid the monsoon season, as it is not safe to travel in the mountains during this time. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a trekking freak, this trek is perfect for you. On this trek, you will get a perfect mix of stunning views, ancient village culture, local Garhwali tradition, abundant wildlife, and rich biodiversity.
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek
- Location: Uttarkashi district (via Gangotri), Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 4,463 m (14,640 ft) at Tapovan
- Distance: 24 km one-way (~40 km round trip)
- Duration: 6-8 days
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Best Time to Visit: May–June & September–October
For experienced trekkers looking for the toughest entry on this list, the Gaumukh Tapovan trek takes you to the actual source of the Ganges. Gaumukh, meaning "cow's mouth," is the snout of the Gangotri Glacier from which the river Bhagirathi (which becomes the Ganga downstream) emerges.
From Gaumukh, the trail continues another 4 km to Tapovan, a high-altitude meadow at 4,463 meters that sits directly beneath Mt. Shivling, and is home to a small community of sadhus who live there for months at a time. The full trek covers roughly 24 km one-way from the Gangotri base (around 40 km round trip), and is rated difficult due to the high altitude, steep ascents, and long daily walking distances — most itineraries need 6 to 8 days to complete safely with proper acclimatisation.
The best time to attempt this trek is during summer (May–June) or autumn (September–October), avoiding the monsoon months when the trail becomes unstable. It's a serious undertaking, but the reward — camping within sight of Shivling's near-vertical granite face — is unlike anything else on this list.
Planning your trip specifically around the Diwali break? Several of these treks — including Kedarkantha, Har Ki Dun, and Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila — make our guide to the best treks for Diwali holidays, with festive-season-specific weather and crowd notes.
| Trek | District | Altitude | Duration | Difficulty | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kedarkantha | Uttarkashi | 3,810 m (12,500 ft) | 3 days | Moderate | Dec–Apr |
| Brahmatal | Chamoli | 3,734 m (12,250 ft) | 4 days | Moderate | Dec–Mar |
| Chopta Tungnath | Rudraprayag | 4,000 m (13,123 ft) | 1 day | Easy | Mar–Jun & Sep–Dec |
| Dayara Bugyal | Uttarkashi | 3,400 m (11,155 ft) | 3-4 days | Easy | Nov–Mar or Apr–Jun |
| Valley of Flowers | Chamoli | 3,353–3,658 m (11,000–12,000 ft) | 3-4 days | Moderate | Jul–Aug |
| Har Ki Dun | Uttarkashi | 3,566 m (11,700 ft) | 7-8 days | Moderate | May–Jun & Sep–Oct |
| Gaumukh Tapovan | Uttarkashi | 4,463 m (14,640 ft) | 6-8 days | Difficult | May–Jun & Sep–Oct |
FAQs
Which is the best trek in Uttarakhand?
It is difficult to select the best trek in Uttarakhand when there are plenty of treks offering a totally different and unique experience. The best trek depends on your preference for treks (views, flowers, and challenges).
How many trekking places are there in Uttarakhand?
There are plenty of treks in Uttarakhand, from easy to challenging treks, each offering a different and unique experience.
Easy Treks for Beginners: Kedarkantha, Brahmtal, and Nag Tibba.
Moderate Treks: Dayara Bugyal and Valley of Flowers trek.
Challenging Treks for Experienced: Bali Pass, Gaumukh Tapovan, and Kedartal.
Which trek is 4- 5 days in Uttarakhand?
The treks for 4–5 days in Uttarakhand, popular choices are Kedarkantha trek, Dayara Bugyal trek, Chopta-Chandrashila trek, Gaumukh Glacier trek, and more, with stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, meadows, and natural surroundings.
Which is the hardest trek in Uttarakhand?
Kalindi Khal trek in Uttarakhand, connecting Gangotri and Badrinath, is considered by many to be one of the hardest treks in India, which requires high strength, stamina, experience, and practice. The high altitude, extreme cold weather, and rugged terrain make the trek challenging.
Which trek is best for beginners?
The beginner treks in Uttarakhand include the famous Kedarkantha trek, Dayara Bugyal trek, Kauri Pass, and Nag Tibba Trek. These treks offer an easy route, gentle ascents, and plain and clear terrain with stunning views without difficulty.
