Top 10 Winter Treks in Uttarakhand You Must Try
Uttarakhand is a snow paradise in winters and it offers one of the Best winter treks in Uttarakhand. These, starting with the picturesque alpine meadows to the splendor of the Himalayan scenery, are scenic as well as adventurous routes.
In the case of first-time trekkers, the easiest winter trek is the Kedarkantha Trek that offers easy trekking conditions with mild terrain, thick forests and mountain views. Be it the icy stillness of Dayara Bugyal or the theatrics of snowfields on Brahmatal, these are the reasons why they are considered the best winter treks in Uttarakhand. These are the best ten hikes that would help you experience the magic of winter in the Indian Himalaya.
Best winter treks in Uttarakhand that you must try
Have a look at some of the best 10 treks that you should give a try to in the winter and enjoy every moment of it. Go through them one by one.
1. Kedarkantha Trek (Govind Sanctuary, Uttarkashi)
Kedarkantha is a popular snowy destination with easy treks that are commonly believed to be one of the Best winter treks in Uttarakhand. You will have pine forests, frozen lakes and an unbelievable view on the summit at ~3800 m. It is a perfect combination of beauty and an easy-to-moderate trail thus making it the best winter trek for beginners.
Difficulty of trek – Easy to moderate
Best season to go for – Between December and April
Duration of the trek – 5-6 days
Altitude of the trek – 12500 ft
2. Dayara Bugyal Trek (Uttarkashi District)
Dubbed the finest winter trek of a novice, Dayara Bugyal is a stunning meadow landscape of huge snow-covered meadows at ~3600m. Peaceful adventure is in the form of calm trails, skiing slopes and scenic Barnala Lake. It has a mild slope that is ideal for novice trekkers.
Difficulty of trek – Easy to moderate
Best season to go for – Between May to June and September to November
Duration of the trek – 4 to 6 days
Altitude of the trek – 12000 ft
3. Brahmatal Trek (Chamoli District)
Among the Best winter treks in Uttarakhand, Brahmatal will give you frozen lakes, alpine meadows and a panoramic view of mountains like Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. It is easy on the eyes and not exigent.
Difficulty of trek – Moderate
Best season to go for – December to March (snow trek) and April to May (spring blooms)
Duration of the trek – 5-6 days
Altitude of the trek – 12250 ft
4. Kuari Pass Trek (Chamoli / Joshimath region)
The winter climb of Auli basecamp to Kuari Pass is at ~3800m. Chilled rhododendron-oak forests give way to Gorson Bugyal meadows and lovely Himalayan sights, including Nanda Devi. A fairly challenging, yet enveloping hike.
Difficulty of trek – Easy to moderate
Best season to go for – March to June and September to December
Duration of the trek – 5-6 days
Altitude of the trek – 12516 ft
5. Chopta -Tungnath Chandrashila Trek (Chopta, Rudraprayag)
Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila Trek leading to chopta is a spiritual ending in the form of a pilgrimage trek as it ends at the Chandrashila peak (~ 4000 m) and the Tungnath temple during this winter. Plus the fresh forests along with snowfields & panoramic views of the Himalayas offer an unforgettable scenery on a convenient route.
Difficulty of trek – Easy
Best season to go for – May and September to December
Duration of the trek – 2-3 days
Altitude of the trek – 13123 ft
6. Gorson Bugyal Trek (Chamoli, Auli area)
A one-day winter trek to large alpine meadows at ~3519 m above Auli. Gorson Bugyal turns into a white land with the scenes of Nanda Devi and Nanda Ghunti. It is perfect to take photos, ski training or even fast snow wandering.
Difficulty of trek – Easy
Best season to go for – March to June and September to November
Duration of the trek – 1-2 days
Altitude of the trek – 10990 ft
7. Har Ki Dun Trek (Sankri, Uttarkashi)
Har Ki Dun is an interesting cradle-shaped valley, but interesting in winter. The path is flanked by primeval villages, alpine meadows and snow-capped Swargarohini 3566m. Har Ki dun trek is a mild trek with a cultural touch and snow wilderness.
Difficulty of trek – Moderate
Best season to go for – March to June and September to December
Duration of the trek – 6-7 days
Altitude of the trek – 11675 ft
8. Khaliya Bugyal Trek (Munsiyari, Pithoragarh District)
This is a moderate-level trek beginning at Munsiyari & takes you to the Khaliya Bugyal. The trek presents untouched snow-capped views of the Panchachuli mountains.
Difficulty of trek – Easy to moderate
Best season to go for – April to June and September to October
Duration of the trek – 3-4 days
Altitude of the trek – 11500 ft
9. Dodital trek
The Dodital trek is a medium level 5-6 day Himalayan trek in the Uttarkashi district. The trek transports you to the beautiful Dodital lake which is at ~3310 m. It is widely known for dense oak, pine, rhododendron forests, Himalayan trout, birds, villages as well as the view of Bandarpunch and Swargarohini.
Difficulty of trek – Easy to moderate
Best season to go for – April to June and September to November
Duration of the trek – 5-6 days
Altitude of the trek – 10000 ft
10. Nag Tibba trek
A 2-day moderate-level trek at 3022m in the Himalayas around Mussoorie, Nag Tibba Trek can even be done by a first-time trekker. It is covered with dense forests of rhododendrons and oak, spurs and mountain top views like Bandarpoonch, Kedarnath and Gangotri.
Difficulty of trek – Easy
Best season to go for – October to April
Duration of the trek – 2 days
Altitude of the trek – 9915 ft
What are the benefits of trekking?
Here are some of the benefits of trekking mentioned below that you should look at if you are going to try it. Have a look at all the benefits below.
1. Increases Physical Fitness
Trekking improves stamina, increases muscle strength & cardiovascular endurance. Good stamina and body flexibility are trained with frequent hikes. These most coveted winter treks in Uttarakhand not only make your body fit but also keep your fitness more adventurous and enjoyable for those people who cannot afford the concept of exercising within an exercise or a typical gym.
2. Improves the condition of Mental Health
The mind is healed by nature. Trekking is useful in relieving stress, anxiety and depression as it increases endorphins. Such paths as the top winter treks in Uttarakhand are serene and relaxing and the mind gets a chance to get rid of the rush of everyday life and get clear in the snow-covered field and the clear mountain air.
3. Develops Endurance and Discipline
Hiking develops endurance, tolerance & perseverance. Be it a harsh path or the best suitable winter hike on earth, it also teaches discipline as far as planning, pacing and persistence are concerned. This hardness then perilously spills over to the real world and makes the person a great deal more productive and problem-solving oriented back in the outside world.
4. Promotes Digital Detox
The connectivity is low in most trekking tracks. This unplugging in front of the screen enables a person to get back to nature and oneself. Such digital detox is provided by treks such as the best winter treks in Uttarakhand, which help to become more mindful, have real-life conversations and live in the moment, without every new notification.
5. Boosts the immune system
When you go trekking at various altitudes and various conditions, it boosts your immunity. One gets immunized when exposed to natural elements. The body adapts to clean air and a range of microorganisms, particularly in the Himalaya and this makes the body more resistant to winter cold and weather strains.
Conclusion!
As you go through the top 10 winter treks in Uttarakhand, you get to experience a sight that cannot be matched by the beauty, adventure and peace. A combination of all these treks helps you obtain the best view of the Himalayan trek.
Be it the first time of trekking or the one you do regularly, the Himalaya Tribe will enable you to have the best and safest trekking, which links you back to nature. Therefore, prepare yourself and experience the best in life with such treks.