Snow treks in Uttarakhand, India

Snow treks in Uttarakhand

Some of the best snow treks in India are found in Uttarakhand and feature high up on the list of any trekker looking for dramatic and gorgeous vistas. On a snow trek in Uttarakhand, you’ll find pine-scented forests covered in snow, boulder-strewn paths, and wooden bridges over gushing rivers, as well as grassy high-altitude meadows, and windy mountain passes, making this a spectacular experience.

1. Roopkund trek

Roopkund is a glacial lake nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 16,500 feet, the lake is completely uninhabited, desolate and is surrounded by snow-clad mountains. In the summer, the trail is covered in snow and can get challenging, but it’s one of the top snow treks in Uttarakhand at this time. The lake offers you a rare chance to see the ancient remains of human skeletons that surround it unless the snow has covered the area. On this adventure, you will trek through verdant green meadows, climbing to more barren heights as you get closer to giant Himalayan peaks, and there’s usually a good chance of snow at the lake itself.

2. Chopta Tungnath and Chandrashila trek

Chopta is a quaint hill station in the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary and it is popularly known as the 'Mini Switzerland’ of India, thanks to its gorgeous pine forests and sprawling meadows. It’s a good trek all year round, but in the winter, it becomes one of the top snow treks in Uttarakhand because of the Christmas-card landscape. It’s a moderately easy trek, but the climb to the small peak of Chandrashila offers a fun challenge. The Chandrashila peak is at 13,123 feet and is home to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world. From the top, the panoramic views of the mighty Himalayas are ample reward.

3. Kedarkantha trek

The Kedarkantha trek is one of the top snow treks in Uttarakhand because of the mountain’s easy accessibility throughout the year. Kedarkantha is a beautiful ridge peak in the Tons River Valley, Uttarakhand, India. At 12,500 feet, the summit offers stunning 360-degree views of some of the highest Himalayan peaks like Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, and Black Pearl. The Kedarkantha trek lets you camp at Juda-ka-Talab, one of the prettiest campsites around, set alongside a small pond amidst oak and pine forests. The best time to visit is between December and March when the landscape turns from beautiful to spectacular. This Kedarkantha snow trek in Uttarakhand will take you along a trail that is completely covered with thick, pure white snow.

4. Har ki Dun trek

Har ki dun, which translates to the Valley of Gods, is one of the least explored snow treks in Uttarakhand. The Har ki Dun valley lies at the base of the Fateh Parvat at 11,646 feet in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park which is a stunning region in itself. Your trek is a mix of peaceful walks and adventurous ascents with some steep climbs. The trail takes you through apple orchards, green valleys, wildflowers, and streams everywhere. This top snow trek in Uttarakhand offers spectacular views of the other famous peaks in the region such as Banderpoonch and Swargarohini.

5. Nagtibba trek

Ascend to the top of Nagtibba at 10,000 feet, on this easy trek. This is one of the top snow treks of Uttarakhand because it is fit for beginners and takes you high up into the mountains on the first day itself. The trail winds through oak forests, sparkling streams, and takes you up to very pretty campsites with spectacular views.

6. Kuari Pass and Pangarchula trek

The Kuari Pass trek is one of the favourite snow treks in Uttarakhand. This trek is moderately challenging, except for the summit to Pangarchulla peak, which stands tall at 15,419 feet and can be quite hard. Your campsite at Khulara has panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks like the Horse-Elephant peak, the Chaukhamba range and Kamet peak. One of the top snow treks in Uttarakhand, this trail takes you through the endless rolling meadows of Auli and alpine forests, so you can see all kinds of winter beauty.

7. Rupin Pass trek

Rupin Pass is one of the top snow treks in Uttarakhand because it takes you deep into the mountains of Uttarakhand, and up to a windy pass at 15,000 feet. The trek involves long days of walking, and a steep ascent to Rupin Pass so is not recommended for beginners. In this snow trek in Uttarakhand, you’ll be walking under blue skies, through thick blankets of snow, and enjoying the bracing cold weather. And there’s plenty of unusual sights to see: a village that perches dangerously on the edge of a cliff, waterfalls that are frozen in mid-flow, and the icy Rupin river that is as blue as the sky above.

8. Bhramatal trek

Brahmatal is a high altitude lake which is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma meditated millions of years ago. What is unique about this trek is that even though the trail doesn't climb to the highest of altitudes, it offers stupendous views of some high peaks. In fact, it is the only trail in the country that offers views of summits over 7,000 meters at such close proximity, making it one of the easier snow treks in Uttarakhand. A small alpine lake and dense forests add to the beauty and is a treat for shutterbugs. This is an easy to moderate trek and is suitable for fit beginners, but you can expect some low temperatures in winter, so do come prepared.