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The Himalayas are a prime trekking destination for millions of enthusiasts every year and it’s easy to see why. The majestic mountains with their breathtaking landscapes are a world apart from our daily lives. A peak that is fast becoming popular with visitors is Kedarkantha in Uttarakhand. At 3,800m above sea level, it is located within the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and is known for its enchanting forests, clearings and campsites. The best time to climb Kedarkantha is in the winter due to the spectacular winter wonderland of frozen lakes and powdery snow.
A complete circuit of Kedarkantha will take six days and the hike itself is an easy to moderate challenge. If you’re interested in embarking on the Kedarkantha trek, here’s what you should know.
Drive the 199km from Dehradun to Sankri village in the Uttarkashi district. The seven-hour drive passes through dense forests which are enveloped in snow during the winter. The fragrance of pine trees and the Yamuna and Tons rivers will keep you company on the route. The last stretch of the road to Sankri is where you will formally enter the environs of the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park. Walk the village at sunset and see the stars come out.
Juda Lake, or Juda ka Talab, is a high-altitude lake (2,773m) located between Sankri and the Kedarkantha summit. Surrounded by dense forests, the pristine lake and the clearing around it make for an ideal camping spot for trekkers. Legend has it that Lord Shiva untwisted his locks a little and water flowed from it to form this small lake. The 4km trek takes a wide curve from Sankri village and climbs sharply upwards. You will cross many suspension bridges and small mountain villages on your way. In winter, Juda Lake freezes over and its surroundings are blanketed in snow. In summer, stop by any of the gushing streams crisscrossing the green fields for photographs.
Today you will reach Kedarkantha Base Camp which is around 4km away. Walking at a moderate pace, it will take you around three hours to finish it. The trail is marked quite well so it is easy to navigate. The route passes through dense oak and pine forests and steep ridges. On the way you will see some Himalayan peaks come into view like Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Ranglana and Kalanag, to name a few. In the summer, shepherds and their huts dot the landscape but in winter the area turns into a white land.
Start in the pre-dawn hours from the Kedarkantha Base Camp to reach the Kedarkantha peak. This section is around 6km long and can take up to seven hours to complete at a moderate walking speed. The trail to the peak is a little challenging but once you have reached the top, it is worth the trouble. On your way, you will come across towering oak and pine trees laden with snow in the winter. At the top, the 360° view of the surrounding peaks (Swargarohini, Bandarpunch and Kalanag) is stunning. Revel in the majestic beauty of the Himalayas and rest here for a while. You can also check out a small shrine dedicated to Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha. Take plenty of photographs before you begin your descent to Hargaon Camp at around 2,700m.
This 6km trek will take around four hours to wrap up. You will swiftly descend around 800m through dense pine forests to get to Sankri. On the way you will get a bird's eye view of the Har ki Dun valley. In winter you will walk through soft and deep snow but in the summer the slopes will be covered with lush greenery. At Sankri village, chat with the locals and enjoy the slower pace of life.
On the last day of your trek, roam around Sankri village and explore the nearby forests if you can before heading back to Dehradun.
Land at Jolly Grant Airport (DED) or take a train to the Dehradun Terminal railway station (DDN). You can drive or take a bus to Dehradun from New Delhi, Chandigarh, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra, Mussoorie and Shimla.
