Uttarakhand has a plethora of gorgeous locations that are great for getting away from the city’s hustle and bustle and the blazing summer heat. Aside from the famous tourist destinations, Uttarakhand has several alternative destinations that, while unknown to many, guarantee breathtaking views and tranquillity.
These unusual locales, which feature quiet lakes, snow-capped mountains, valleys, waterfalls and lush green forests, provide complete rejuvenation, tranquillity and peace of mind. Come take a look.
Top Trekking Spots in Uttarakhand
1. Har ki Dun trek
The Har ki Dun trek is one of the most popular Uttarakhand trekking spots. It offers scenic mountain views, grasslands, meadows, rivers, streams and even an alpine lake. The trek is of easy-medium level, which means even beginners can undergo this trek provided they are physically active. It is situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarkashi. Here, you go up to 12,000 feet over a period of 6 days.
- Difficulty level: Easy-Medium
- Best time: May-Oct
2. Roopkund trek
Roopkund is a famous trek that takes you to a lake at 16,000 ft. The lake has skeletons of humans and horses from the palaeolithic age and is called the ‘mystery lake’. It is beautiful, one of a kind and frozen most times of the year. It is one of the most adventurous summits climbs one can experience in Uttarakhand. Due to over-tourism in this region, the government has put a limit on trekking to Roopkund. Also, Roopkund is not a trek for the faint-hearted. It requires you to have good physical fitness and be able to trek 8-10 km daily.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Best Time: April-June
3. Valley of Flowers
It is one of the oldest known treks in India and is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Valley of Flowers is famous amongst both national and international trekkers. It is a medium difficulty level trek with a few difficult days. Besides, one of the reasons why people love and remember this trek is the valley itself, which is a 10 km long stretch of flowers. You can find beautiful flowers here in various shades of yellow, pink and blue. You go up to 14,000 feet on this trek and discover the legendary trail that takes you through big mountains and mesmerising valleys. It is one of the most popular trekking places near Dehradun.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Best Time: July-August
4. Kuari Pass Trek
It is one of the most popular places near Rishikesh for trekking. Kuari pass is one of the trekkable mountain passes in winters. It is a four-day trek. It is an easy trek offering the best views of mountains Nanda Devi and Dronagiri. The trek starts from Tapoban, a small village in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The trek is situated in the Nanda Devi national park region.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Best Time: April- June
5. Nag Tibba Trek
It is a pretty famous trekking place near Dehradun. It is a popular weekend trek that goes up to 9,915 ft. It is an excellent trek for those looking to get introduced to the trekking world. Here, in 2 days, you cover up to 16 km. You will go through dense forests and ridge walks on this trek. The nearest airport to this trek is the Jolly Grant airport.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Best Time: April-June, Oct-Dec
6. Dayara Bugyal trek
This trek takes you through lush green trails with oak trees and rhododendrons. The meadows here are one of the most beautiful meadows you will ever see. They are lush green from April to May, and from the May-end onwards, you will see the meadows covered with flowers. The trek is definitely worth a try if you wish to experience meadows in all their glory. It is a medium-level perfect trek for a beginner as well. You trek up to 11,830 ft and cover it in 6 days. The Dayara Bugyal Trek is one of the popular places near Rishikesh for trekking.
- Difficulty Level: Medium
- Best Time: May-July, Aug-Oct, Dec-Feb
7. Rupin Pass trek
Rupin pass trek is a 7-day trek that takes you through glacial meadows, valleys, snow bridges, snowfields, and the Rupin River and waterfalls. The trek starts from a remote village called Jiskun and ends at Sangla in Himachal Pradesh. It takes you to an altitude of 16,000 ft. The trek is worth experiencing for its majestic mountain views, valleys and waterfalls. It is a medium-difficult level trek and requires a good fitness level.
- Difficulty Level: Medium-Difficult.
- Best Time: May-Jun Sep-Oct
8. Lal Tibba Trek
Lal Tibba, the highest point in Mussoorie, is a must-see. The scenery is magnificent and beautiful. By looking out over the mountains, one can enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of pizza. Be sure to take a walk in the jungle. The journey to the pickup spot itself is just as exciting. When travelling by scooter, the small lanes aren’t too difficult to navigate, but when driving a car, they really put your driving skills to the test.
- Difficulty Level: Medium
- Best Time: March-July
9. Landour Trek
Landour, a small cantonment town in the foothills of the Himalayas, is named after the Welsh village of Llanddowror. They dubbed it “Hamlet in the Hills” because of its poetic beauty. Landour’s stunning landscape and quiet ambience make it the ideal place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Best Time: April-June
10. Kedartal Trek
There aren’t many hikes that put you this close to such majestic peaks. Not to mention how far away it is from anywhere. At this elevation, there are no human settlements. And there aren’t a lot of people on this trail either. When compared to the crowdedness of many other routes, this one is a blessing.
- Difficulty Level: Very Difficult
- Best Time: May-June, Sept-Oct
So, have you decided which trekking spot in or near Uttarakhand you want to go to? If yes, pack your bags and get going. Safe travels!
