Plan Your October Trekking – Top 5 Hiking Trails In Uttarakhand You Must Try News24 –

Uttarakhand, a haven for trekkers, offers diverse trekking routes for a thrilling experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, October is the perfect time to embark on a mountaineering expedition and explore some of the best trekking destinations in the Himalayan state. The picturesque landscapes set on the foothills of towering peaks offer a memorable experience to adventure enthusiasts. Here are the top 5 trails you must try:

Kartik Swami Temple Trek

Visitors, pilgrims, and trekkers are compelled to travel a 3-km-long hike to reach the Kartik Swami temple from the Kanakchauri village. Thereafter, it requires approximately 380 steps to go to the temple. The village is located around 40 km from Rudraprayag. Trekkers can experience enchanting views of Bandarpunch, Kedarnath Dome, and Chaukhamba Peak while traveling.

Kedarkantha Winter Trek

A challenging high-altitude 6-day trek to experience the majestic views of Nanda Devi.

• DEHRADUN TO SANKRI: This 210 km drive takes you through the scenic forests of Dehradun to reach Sankri village. The hike to Kedarkantha peak offers multiple trekking routes. You can exit the trek from Sankri, Kotgaon, or Gaichawan Gaon.
• SANKRI TO JUDA LAKE: Juda Lake, or Juda ka Talab, is located at a pretty high altitude lake between Sankri and Kedarkantha summit.
• JUDA LAKE TO KEDARKANTHA BASE CAMP: Trekkers can start fresh the next morning from Juda ka Talab to the Kedarkantha base camp, which is located just 4 km away. If you are willing to walk at moderate speed, it will take you around 3 hours to reach the base camp.
• KEDARKANTHA BASE CAMP TO KEDARKANTHA PEAK AND BACK TO HARGAON CAMP: The following day, start pre-dawn from the base camp to reach the Kedarkantha peak. The trail, located around 6 km away, can take about 7 hours at a moderate walking speed.
• HARGAON TO SANKRI VIA JUDA LAKE: This 6-km trek can be covered in 4 hours.
• SANKRI TO DEHRADUN: On the sixth and last day, you can explore Sankri village before hitting the road leading to Dehradun.

Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers is one of the most popular Himalayan treks in the country. The trek ranges from moderate to challenging. You can enjoy staying in Ghangaria, which is the last inhabited village on this trek route. The major attractions here are Hemkunt Sahib, Govindghat, Joshimath, Mana, Pandukeshwar, Nanda Devi National Park, and Hemkunt Lake.

Nag Tibba Trek

The 2-day trek to Nag Tibba begins from Dehradun. Start around 6 am in the morning to reach Panthwari village within 4 hours. Nag Tibba can be reached via three routes, Panthwari village being the closest. Thereafter, starts from Panthwari to the first campsite – Khatian. After you cross the Nag Devta temple, tread carefully to reach Khatian. While trekking, you will get stunning 360-degree views of Bandarpoonch, Kala Nag, Srikanta, and Gangotri.

Har ki Dun

Har Ki Dun in Uttarakhand is popularly known as the “Valley of Gods.” This trek offers majestic views of the Himalayas and lush alpine scenery. The hike takes you through ancient villages of Osla and Seema. It is a 5-day trek to reach Dhatmeer.

Day 1: Trek to Gangaad (6km)

Day 2: Gangaad to Kalkatiya Dhar via Osla (8km)

Day 3: Kalkatiya Dhar to Boslo via Har ki Dun (9km)

Day 4: Boslo to Chillurgad (5.5km)

Day 5: Chillurgad to Dhatmeer (14km)

ALSO READ: Madhmaheshwar: Why is this thrilling 24-km-long trek to the sacred shrine trending? – Here’s how to reach