8 Best Winter Treks in Uttarakhand for Unforgettable Adventure

If you are looking for the best winter treks in Uttarakhand, your search ends here. 

Uttarakhand is the only state in India that hosts the best and most number of snow treks. The duration of these treks ranges from one day to seven days. And they offer you a snow experience that is beyond words.

So, without wasting your time, let’s jump into the detailed list of the best snow treks in Uttarakhand.  

1. Nag Tibba Trek 

Duration: 2 Days    Max Altitude: 9,915 ft          Difficulty: Easy

Highlights Of Nag Tibba Trek 

• 100-degree view of snow-capped Himalayas 
• Dense Oak forest
• Mussoorie is on the way to base camp
• Camping on the meadow

If you live in Delhi-NCR or are new to the trekking world, Nag Tibba Trek is a perfect winter trek option for you. 

Wondering why? There are numerous reasons for this. 

First Nag Tibba Trek is just a 7-8-hour journey away from Delhi. This means if you board your transport around 11 Pm from Delhi, you will reach Pantwari (starting point of the trek) by 9 am. Such accessibility makes it a perfect weekend escape for trekkers living in and around Delhi. 

Moving on, the second factors that make Nag Tibba Trek suitable for beginners and Delhiites is it’s duration, which is 2 days and trekking distance, which is 16 km approx. 

This means if you start your trek journey on Friday night, you will complete your trek and reach Delhi by late Sunday night. Hence, you can go to your work on Monday. Furthermore, due to the short trek distance, beginners, including children, can easily do it without much difficulty. 

However, easy here doesn’t mean it’s a cakewalk. Remember, it’s a trek. Hence, you need to have a basic fitness level to do this trek easily. 

Besides the two above-mentioned factors, snow during the months of December, January and March is what makes the Nag Tibba Trek famous during winter. In fact, it is the only winter trek that has a short duration, is easily accessible and offers you a thrilling snow experience. 

During peak winter months, you find snow from the goat village till the summit. The level of snow can range from one feet to three feet.  But here is a catch. The snow near goat village melts quickly, but you will find snow near the summit throughout the winter season. It is because this whole section is inside the dense forest, where it’s difficult for sunlight to penetrate, hence the snow last for longer time. 

All in all,  if you are looking for a weekend trek that can offer you an adventurous snow experience during winter, Nag Tibba Trek can be the ideal option for you. 

2. Chopta Chandrashila Trek (With Deoriatal)

Duration: 4-6 Days    Max Altitude: 12,100 ft          Difficulty: Easy

Highlights Of Chopta Chandrashila Trek 

• Reflection of Chaukhamba Peak in Deoriatal
• Tungnath temple
• View from Himalayan Peaks from Chandrashila Peak
• Meadows of Chopta

Chopta Chandrashila Trek has gained the tremendous attention of trekkers and other travelers in the last few years. Not only this, it’ has also become a favourite weekend destination throughout the year. 

This popularity is due to its accessibility, scenic views, and the heavy snow it receives during winter. 

Considering it’s accessibility, you can reach the Sari village (starting point of the trek) in 10-12 hours from Delhi and in 5-6 hours from Rishikesh. It’s a beautiful drive, taking you through the famous Devprayag and scenic mountains of the Garhwal region. 

With the accessibility, the short duration of the trek also makes it an awesome choice for the weekends. You just need 3 days to do it over the weekend, and if you have more days, you can extend it to 5-6 days. 

To make it clearer, here are the different itineraries.  

Three days itinerary:

Day 1: Delhi to Sari Viallage to Deoria Tal

Day 2: Deoria Tal to Chopta to Tungnath to Chandrsahila and return 

Day 3: Drive back from Chopta to Delhi 

This itinerary is ideal for individuals who don’t have much time and want to cover this trek over the weekend. 

5-6 Days Itinerary:

Day 1: Rishikesh to Sari Village 

Day 2: Sari Village to Deoria Tal 

Day 3: Deoria Tal to Baniyakund (Chopta)

Day 4: Chopta to Tungnath to Chandrshila and return to Chopta

Day 5: Chopta to Rishikesh 

This itinerary is ideal for you if you have enough time or are coming from the middle or southern parts of India. It is because this itinerary gives you enough time to acclimatise your body to the high altitude. 

Besides the above mentioned factors the Chopta Chandrashila trek is known for it’s picture perfect views. These views start from the moment you reach Sari village and last till the end of the trek. 

The first sight that attracts your eyes is the Deoria Tal. It is a small, beautiful lake with a mighty Chaukhama mountain in the backdrop. The amazing thing about this lake is that you can see the clear reflection of Chaukhamba in the Deoria Tal. 

After Deoria Tal, the meadows of Chopta catch your attention. They spread across the whole Chopta valley with a view of snow cappd peaks all around. Throughout the year, they are lush green, and during winters, they are covered by a thick layer of snow.  In fact, winter is the time when the whole Chopta valley is under the snow, making it a perfect snow trek. 

From Chopta, as you climb higher, you come across the world’s highest Shiva temple, Tungnath temple. Take blessings of god at this temple for the success of your trek. Post the temple, you reach the top of Chandrashila Peak, which is the highest point of this trek. The view from this point will mesmerise you as you can clearly see numerous snow-clad peaks with a view of Chopta Valley below. 

3. Kedarkantha Trek 

Duration: 6 Days    Max Altitude: 12,500 ft          Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights of Kedarkantha Trek

• Govind Pashu Vihar National Park 
• Juda Ka Talab Campsite 
• Stunning clearings 
• Scenic Campsite 
• Unique and diverse forest 
• View from summit 

The first name that pops up in the majority of trekkers’ minds when talking about winter treks in Uttarakhand and India is the Kedarkantha Trek. 

Want to know why? It is because of its popularity. 

Over the last five years the trek has become so popular among trekkers that thousands of trekkers do the Kedarkantha trek in winter months. Such popularity is possible because of the thrilling climbs, eye-catching views and dramatic snow-covered landscape during winter. 

During the month of December, January and February, the whole trek is adorned with a thick layer of snow. This makes the landscape of Keadrkanta a winter paradise. If you are lucky, you might also experience live snowfall. 

Apart from this, camping beside the frozen Juda Ka Talab (lake) is an experience you get only on this winter trek. Imagine sipping tea while sitting just outside your tent on snow with a view of a frozen lake in front. Isn’t it soul-soothing? 

Moving on, the next factor that attracts trekkers most to Kedarkantha Trek is the adventurous summit climb early in the morning and the view from the summit.  You start climbing towards the summit early in the morning, around 2-3 am, as the snow is still hard enough to walk on. Once the sun rises, it becomes difficult to walk in the snow. 

Climbing a mountain in the dark in bone-chilling snow weather is an experience similar to climbing Mt.Everest. And it becomes even more rewarding when you reach the summit to witness the sunrise. It feels like a magic moment standing on the top of Kedarkantha Peak while the sun is rising above from behind the numerous snow-clad peaks. 

Nevertheless, due to the Kedarknatha Trek’s popularity, you find a huge crowd on the trails. In fact, it sometimes can cause huge traffic jams, making you wait for a long period. Thus, I advise trekkers to do this trek in the months of January and February, when the crowd on this trek is much less.  

4. Dayara Bugyal Trek 

Duration: 6 Days    Max Altitude: 11,830 ft          Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights of Dayara Bugyal Trek

• Wast meadows
• Massive view of great Himalayan range 
• Picturesque hamlet of Raithal 

When I did the Dayara Bugyal Trek in the month of January, I was stunned by the amazing views of the Himalayas throughout the trek and snow-covered meadows. The whole trek was glittering in white color and was so beautiful that I never wanted to leave the place. 

So, if you are eyeing a trek this winter that can surprise you with its views, it’s the Dyara Bugyal Trek. 

During winter, the trek is under the snow. You will find snow from the base camp (Raithal village) to the Dayara top. In addition to the snow, the massive views of Himalayan peaks also start surprising you from the start and continue getting bigger and bigger as you move towards the Dayara Bugyal. 

Dayara Bugyal Trek is perfect for children, beginners and experienced due to its short distances between the campsite and easy accents. 

Watch this video if you want to enjoy the whole trek while sitting at home.

5. Brahmatal Trek 

Duration: 6 Days    Max Altitude: 12,250 ft          Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights Of Brahmatal Trek 

• Massive views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nandaghunti
• Frozen lakes: Bekal Tal and Brahmatal 
• Dense Oak and Rhododendron forest 

Another winter gem that can be a perfect option for you this winter season is Brahamatal Trek. 

This trek was discovered a few years back and has since gathered a good amount of popularity among trekkers as a snow trek. 

Brahmatal is the only winter trek that is operated only in winter due to the amount of snowfall it receives. You will be surprised to know that it receives around 3-4 feet of snow during winter months, making it a snowy wonderland. 

Apart from the snow, the Brhamtal trek is known for its massive views of Mt.Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. You come across the view of these massive peaks on the second day of the trek, which continues until the end. The views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nandaghuti are so big that they leave you awestruck. 

Moving on, the Brahmatal Trek also hosts two beautiful lakes: Bekaltal and Brahmatal. 

You encounter Bekaltal first and can camp beside it. It is an amazing experience to get a glimpse of a frozen lake amidst the snow-clad oak trees. You can even walk in this frozen lake. 

On the third day of the trek, you visit Brahmatal, which sits between the large undulating meadows covered in snow. It’s aura is completely different from the Bekaltal. 

All in all, Brahmatal Trek is a good option for you if you want to avoid the crowd and experience peace with massive views of snow-clad peaks such as Mt. Nanda Ghunti and Mt. Trishul.  

6. Kuari Pass Trek 

Duration: 6 Days    Max Altitude: 12,516 ft          Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights Of Kuari Pass Trek 

• View of Mt. Nanda Devi
• Ancient oak, pine and rhododendron forest
• Snow covered meadows
• Visit to Auli

The Kauri Pass trek is one of the oldest treks in India. It was founded by Lord Curzon and is known as the Curzon Trail. 

The trek starts from the scenic town of Joshimath and ends in Auli. In between these two places, you experience the magic of the Uttarakhand himalayas. 

That said, on Kuari Pass Trek, you walk among the ancient oak, pine and rhododendron forests for long periods. During winters, the whole forest is adorned with white snow.  Imagine walking on a trail inside a forest full of snow and surrounded by tall trees laden with snow. You could literally see soft, powdery snowflakes loosely hanging from tree leaves. Furthermore, you can experience snowfall if your luck permits. 

After crossing the dense forest, you are welcomed by the unending meadows with a view of massive snow-clad peaks in the backdrop. Among these snow-clad peaks, you can easily notice the massive Mt. Nanda Devi, India’s highest mountain peak. 

Besides the magical forest, scenic meadows, and charming snow-clad peaks, you will also get to experience the famous Auli hill station. Here, you can indulge in various activities like skiing and going on a chairlift ride. 

7. Chirbatiya Weekend Trek

Duration: 2 Days    Max Altitude: 8,450 ft          Difficulty: Easy

Highlights Of Chirbatiya Weekend Trek 

• Short and easily accessible trek 
• Meadows
• View of snow-clad peaks

The Chirbatiya weekend trek is a short and scenic trek. This trek is located in the Tehri district of Gharwal and is just 10 hrs journey away from Delhi. 

You can do this trek in just one day due to its easy terrain and short trek distance. During peak winters, the whole trek is completely under the snow, making it a picture-perfect white wonderland. It is great option for you if you want to experience snow during weekends. 

For more information on Chirbatiya Weekend Trek, watch the below video.

8. Dodital Darwa Pass Trek 

Duration: 5 Days    Max Altitude: 13,616 ft          Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights of Dodital Darwa Pass Trek 

• Frozen Dodital Lake 
• Views of snow-clad peaks 
• Dense forest 

If you are looking for a trek that can be done in December, has less crowd and receives snowfall, the Dodital Darwa Pass trek is the perfect option for you. 

Dodital Darwa Pass trek hosts numerous picturesque villages, gushing water streams, dense pine, rhododendron, golden and silver oaks forest and pristine Dodital Lake. 

Upon crossing the lake, you reach the Darwa pass, which is the highest point on the trek. From here, you have scenic views of snow-clad peaks such as Mt. Bandarpoonch, Mt.Srikantha, Draupadi ka Danda, Mt. Jaunli, Deoli and Black Peak. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Best Winter Treks in Uttarakhand

Conclusion

If you want to venture on a snow trek this winter in Uttrakhand, choose any of these winter treks that fit your needs. All the treks are equally beautiful and thrilling.

However, make sure you prepare yourself well for the trek by focusing on your physical and mental fitness and packing the right trekking gear.  

If you have anything to share about the best winter treks in Uttarakhand, comment below.