Triund Trek 2026: Distance, Entry Fee, Camping Rules & Best Time
Category: Travel | Updated On: October 11, 2026 | Published: June 8, 2026
Triund is a grassy ridge at about 2,850 m (9,350 ft) above McLeod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh, with the Dhauladhar range on one side and the Kangra Valley on the other. The trail is about 6 km from Gallu Devi Temple (about 9 km from McLeod Ganj) and takes 4 to 5 hours up. It is an easy trek, done in a day or with one night of camping. Entry is about ₹100 per person, and overnight tents are capped at about 20 a night.
Triund Trek Quick Facts
Detail | Triund trek |
Altitude | About 2,850 m (9,350 ft) |
Location | Above McLeod Ganj, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh |
Start point | Gallu Devi Temple, above Dharamkot |
Distance (one way) | About 6 km from Gallu Devi; about 9 km from McLeod Ganj |
Time | 4 to 5 hours up, 3 to 4 hours down |
Difficulty | Easy, with a steep last kilometre |
Entry fee | About ₹100 per person (reported) |
Camping | Allowed but capped at about 20 tents a night (reported) |
Best months | March to June and September to November; December to February for snow |
Mobile network | Patchy; Jio and Airtel may get a bar in places |
Nearest town and ATM | McLeod Ganj |
- Triund Trek Distance by Starting Point
- Triund Trek Route, Section by Section
- Triund Rules, Entry Fee and Tent Limit (2026)
- Triund Trek Cost: Do It Yourself vs Package
- Best Time to Visit Triund
- Triund Trek Difficulty
- Triund Trek Itinerary
- Camping at Triund
- Mobile Network, Water and Food on the Trail
- How to Reach Triund
- Gaddi Shepherds and Tibetan McLeod Ganj
- What to Pack for Triund
- Safety Tips for Triund
- Places to Visit Near Triund
- Triund Location and Map
- Triund Trek FAQ
- Plan Your Triund Trek
Triund Trek Distance by Starting Point
Most people walk up from Gallu Devi Temple, which you can reach by taxi from McLeod Ganj. Distances differ slightly between sources, so the figures below are rounded.
Starting point | One-way distance | Time up | Notes |
McLeod Ganj (on foot) | About 9 km | 5 to 6 hours | Walk up through Dharamkot to Gallu Devi first |
Gallu Devi Temple | About 6 km | 4 to 5 hours | Main trailhead and forest checkpost |
Dharamkot | About 6 to 7 km | 4 to 5 hours | Joins the main trail near Gallu Devi |
Bhagsunag | About 8 to 10 km | 5 to 6 hours | Steeper route via Shiva Cafe; avoid it in the monsoon |
A common plan is to walk up from Gallu Devi and come back the same way. Fit trekkers sometimes come down the Bhagsunag side to see a different trail.
Triund Trek Route, Section by Section
Section | Distance | Time | What to expect |
McLeod Ganj to Gallu Devi Temple | About 2 to 3 km | 30 to 45 min by taxi or 1 hour on foot | Forest checkpost; pay the entry fee and show ID |
Gallu Devi to Magic View Cafe | About 2.5 km | About 1.5 hours | Gentle climb through oak, rhododendron and deodar; roughly halfway |
Magic View Cafe to Best View Cafe | About 1.5 km | About 1 hour | Trail gets steeper; last proper tea and snack stop |
Best View Cafe to Triund top | About 1.5 km | About 1 hour | The steepest part, known as the 22 curves |
Triund to Snowline (optional) | About 3 to 4 km | About 1.5 to 2 hours | Rocky climb towards the Dhauladhar; continue on our Laka Glacier trek |
Distances are approximate and vary between sources by a few hundred metres. Last reviewed on 11 October 2026.
Triund Rules, Entry Fee and Tent Limit (2026)
These rules come from news and trekking reports, not a single official notice, and they change. Confirm at the Gallu Devi checkpost before you go.
Rule | What is reported (2026) |
Entry fee | About ₹100 per person, paid at the Gallu Devi checkpost. It was ₹200 when introduced in late 2023 and was reportedly halved in January 2024. Some 2026 reports still quote ₹200. |
ID and bag check | Your name and ID are logged at the checkpost, and bags may be checked for plastic. |
Daily limit | Reported at about 400 trekkers a day. |
Overnight tents | Reported cap of about 20 tents, or around 40 people, a night at the meadow. Book through an authorised operator. |
Tent fee | About ₹550 for a 2-person tent if you book one separately. |
Day-hiker cut-off | Day hikers are usually stopped at the checkpost after about 11:30 AM. Campers with a confirmed booking can usually enter until about 2:00 PM. |
Not allowed | Alcohol, campfires and night trekking are reported to be banned. |
Fines | Fines have been reported for entering without paying the fee. |
Beyond Triund | Snowline is a common add-on. For Laka Glacier and Indrahar Pass, ask at the checkpost or go with an operator, as rules for the higher trail change. |
Last reviewed on 11 October 2026. Our Triund trek package includes the entry fee, camping charges and a reserved tent within the daily limit.
Triund Trek Cost: Do It Yourself vs Package
Approximate costs per person for one night at Triund, starting from McLeod Ganj.
Item | Do it yourself (approx.) | With our package |
Entry fee | About ₹100 | Included |
Tent for the night | About ₹275 (₹550 per 2-person tent) | Included |
Sleeping bag and mat | Carry your own or rent in McLeod Ganj | Included |
Food on the trail and at camp | About ₹400 to ₹700 at the cafes | All meals included: lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast and lunch on Day 2 |
Taxi McLeod Ganj to Gallu Devi | About ₹400 to ₹600 per car, one way | Not included; meet at Gallu Devi |
Guide | Optional | Included |
Delhi to McLeod Ganj bus | About ₹900 (ordinary) to ₹1,500 (Volvo) each way | Not included |
Our Triund trek package costs ₹1,100 per person for 1 to 3 people, ₹1,000 for 4 to 8, ₹900 for 9 to 15 and ₹800 for 16 or more, plus 5% GST, on quad tent sharing. Fares are approximate; Last reviewed on 11 October 2026.
Best Time to Visit Triund
March to June and September to November are the best months, with clear views and comfortable temperatures. December to February brings snow, which looks beautiful but makes the last section slippery, so carry microspikes. July and August are the monsoon months, with slippery trails, leeches and cloud.
Month | Temperature at Triund | Conditions | Trek this month? |
January | -2°C to 8°C | Snow, very cold | Yes, with microspikes and warm layers |
February | 0°C to 10°C | Snow on the upper trail | Yes, with care |
March | 5°C to 15°C | Snow melting, clear skies | Yes, very good |
April | 8°C to 18°C | Clear and comfortable | Yes, excellent |
May | 10°C to 22°C | Warm days, cool nights | Yes, excellent |
June | 15°C to 25°C | Pleasant; pre-monsoon showers late in the month | Yes, early June is best |
July | 18°C to 25°C | Monsoon, frequent rain | Only if experienced |
August | 18°C to 24°C | Heavy rain, slippery trail | Only if experienced |
September | 15°C to 22°C | Clearing after the monsoon | Yes, very good |
October | 10°C to 20°C | Clear and crisp | Yes, excellent |
November | 5°C to 15°C | Cold mornings, very clear views | Yes, very good |
December | 0°C to 10°C | Cold, first snowfall possible | Yes, with warm layers |
Snow usually covers Triund from late December to February, and the Snowline above Triund keeps snow for longer. For more winter options, see the best winter treks in Himachal Pradesh.
Triund Trek Difficulty
Triund is an easy trek and a good first Himalayan walk. The trail is clear and well used, and no technical skill is needed. Most of it is a steady climb; the last kilometre, the 22 curves, is steep and rocky. If you can walk uphill for 4 to 5 hours with short breaks, you can do it. Children aged about 6 and above with some walking practice usually manage well. For more easy options nearby, see these beginner-friendly treks near McLeod Ganj.
Triund Trek Itinerary
One-day Triund trek
- 7:00 AM: Taxi from McLeod Ganj to Gallu Devi Temple.
- 7:30 AM: Pay the entry fee at the checkpost and start walking. Day hikers must cross the checkpost before about 11:30 AM.
- 9:00 AM: Tea break at Magic View Cafe.
- 11:30 AM: Reach Triund top after the 22 curves.
- 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM: Lunch and time on the meadow.
- 1:30 PM: Start down, so you are off the trail well before dark.
- 5:00 PM: Back at Gallu Devi and on to McLeod Ganj.
Two-day Triund trek with camping
- Day 1: Start from Gallu Devi by late morning, reach Triund by mid-afternoon, watch the sunset over the Kangra Valley and spend the night in a tent.
- Day 2: Sunrise over the Dhauladhar, breakfast at camp, optional walk towards Snowline, then trek back down to Gallu Devi and McLeod Ganj by afternoon.
Our Triund trek package follows this 2-day plan, and the Triund and Laka Glacier trek adds a night and continues to the Laka Glacier snowline.
Camping at Triund
Camping on the Triund meadow is the main reason most people stay overnight: you get the sunset over the Kangra Valley and the sunrise lighting up the Dhauladhar. Because tents are capped at about 20 a night, book your tent before you set out, especially for weekends and holidays.
- Nights are cold all year; even in May, temperatures can drop to around 5°C.
- Use the toilet tents at your campsite and carry tissues and a small bag for waste.
- Carry all plastic back down; the meadow has no bins.
- There is also a small forest rest house at Triund, booked through the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.
You can even welcome the new year up here with our New Year party at Triund.
Mobile Network, Water and Food on the Trail
- Mobile network: patchy. Jio and Airtel may get a bar at some points on the trail and the ridge, but often there is no signal at the top. Tell someone your plan before you start.
- Water: fill up in McLeod Ganj or at Gallu Devi. The cafes on the trail sell bottled water at higher prices.
- Food: Magic View Cafe and Best View Cafe sell tea, Maggi and snacks. Some stalls at the top open in season.
- Toilets: none on the trail; campsites have toilet tents.
- ATM: the last ATM is in McLeod Ganj. Carry cash for the entry fee and cafes.
How to Reach Triund
- By road from Delhi: overnight buses run from Delhi ISBT Kashmiri Gate to McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala, taking about 10 to 12 hours.
- By air: Gaggal (Kangra) Airport is about 18 km from Dharamshala; take a taxi to McLeod Ganj.
- By train: Pathankot is the nearest major railway station, about 90 km away, with buses and taxis onward.
- To the trailhead: take a taxi or walk from McLeod Ganj through Dharamkot to Gallu Devi Temple.
Triund fits a Friday-night-to-Sunday-night trip, which is why it is one of the most popular weekend treks near Delhi.
Gaddi Shepherds and Tibetan McLeod Ganj
Long before trekkers came, Triund was summer grazing ground for the Gaddi shepherds of Kangra and Chamba, who still walk their sheep and goats along this trail and over Dhauladhar passes such as Indrahar. Below the ridge, McLeod Ganj became home to the Tibetan community and the Dalai Lama after 1959, so a Triund trip usually pairs mountain views with monasteries and Tibetan cafes.
What to Pack for Triund
- Trekking shoes with good grip (microspikes in winter)
- Warm jacket and a fleece, even in summer
- Rain jacket or poncho from June to September
- 2 litres of water, energy snacks and a small first-aid kit
- Headlamp, power bank, sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap
- Photo ID for the checkpost and cash for fees and cafes
Safety Tips for Triund
- Start early and never trek in the dark; night trekking is reported to be banned.
- Stay on the main trail and avoid shortcuts on the 22 curves, especially when wet or icy.
- Check the forecast: thunderstorms and fog are common in the monsoon, and snow in winter.
- In an emergency, call 112. Delek Hospital in McLeod Ganj is the nearest hospital.
- Do not feed the dogs or monkeys, and keep food sealed at camp.
Places to Visit Near Triund
- McLeod Ganj: Tsuglagkhang complex and Namgyal Monastery, Tibetan markets and cafes.
- Bhagsunag Temple and Waterfall: about 2 km from McLeod Ganj.
- Dharamkot: quiet village on the way to Gallu Devi, with cafes and stays.
- Naddi View Point and Dal Lake: sunset views of the Dhauladhar.
- St. John in the Wilderness: a stone church in the deodar forest near McLeod Ganj.
See our full list of places to visit near Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj.
Triund Location and Map
Triund ridge is at about 32.26° N, 76.35° E, above Dharamkot and McLeod Ganj.
Triund Trek FAQ
Triund is an easy trek and suits first-time trekkers. The trail is clear and well used, with a steady climb and a steep, rocky last kilometre known as the 22 curves. Basic fitness is enough.
The trek is about 6 km one way from Gallu Devi Temple, the usual starting point, or about 9 km if you walk all the way from McLeod Ganj. The Bhagsunag route is longer and steeper, at about 8 to 10 km.
Yes. Start from Gallu Devi by about 7:30 AM, reach the top by late morning and come down in the afternoon. Day hikers are usually not allowed past the checkpost after about 11:30 AM, so start early.
Yes, but it is regulated. Overnight camping at the Triund meadow is reported to be capped at about 20 tents a night, so book your tent in advance through an authorised operator (about ₹550 for a 2-person tent). Entry is about ₹100 per person at the Gallu Devi checkpost. Rules change, so confirm at the checkpost.
The entry fee is reported to be about ₹100 per person, paid at the Gallu Devi forest checkpost. It was ₹200 when introduced in late 2023 and was reportedly halved in January 2024, though some 2026 reports still quote ₹200.
March to June and September to November are the best months, with clear views and comfortable weather. December to February brings snow, and July to August is the monsoon, when the trail is slippery.
Yes. Snow usually covers Triund from late December to February, and the Snowline above Triund holds snow for longer. In other months you see snow on the Dhauladhar peaks across from the ridge.
Network is patchy. Jio and Airtel may get a bar at some points on the trail and the ridge, but there is often no signal at the top, so tell someone your plan before you start.
Plan Your Triund Trek
Triund gives you big Himalayan views for very little effort, which is why it is so many people's first trek. Go between March and June or September and November, start early, and book your tent before you go. If you would rather not organise permits, tents and food yourself, our Triund trek package covers all of it from ₹1,100 per person.
