10 Best Treks to do from Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Uttarkashi is one of the most popular districts of Uttarakhand. It is famous for being the starting point for many beautiful treks. Most of the major treks of the Tehri-Garhwal region have Uttarkashi as one of its points. Therefore, we, at Kashti Adventures, that from a trekker’s perspective it is important to have a basic knowledge of the highlighted and offbeat treks that start from this place. In this article, you’ll get to know about 10 of the most beautiful treks that can be traversed from Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.

Nachiketa Tal

This tiny lake is located at an altitude of 8074 feet to the east of Uttarkashi. It is believed that the lake was built by Rishi Uddalak who named it after his son, Nachiketa. The trek is a short and easy one and can be completed by anyone and everyone with proper fitness levels. From the Uttarkashi-Lambgaon motor road, one has to walk into a secluded village called Chaurangi Khal. From this point, a mild 3 km trek will lead into the beautiful Nachiketa Tal. The Rhododendrons along the trail along with the aquatic beauty are bound to make you gasp in wonder.

Vimaleshwar Mahadev

The beautiful trek to Vimaleshwar Mahadev temple is just 11.5 km from Uttarkashi town. It is situated on the peak of the Varunavat mountain. An easy uphill walk through the tar-laden road leads to a beautiful forest of pines. Just at a distance of 500 m lies this perfectly hidden and pristine temple of Lord Shiva. The local legends are that Lord Parshuram performed severe penance in this region to pacify his anger. The Shivling appeared at the site of his penance as a recognition of his efforts. The trek is a fairly easy one and can be taken up by beginners as well

Dayara Bugyal

Located at an altitude of 3048 m, Dayara Bugyal can be reached from Uttarkashi via Raithal. In the local dialect, Bugyal refers to open meadows of high altitudes. The trek takes you to a paradise of meadows surrounded by forests of Pine and Oak. Moreover, the majestic views of Draupadi ka Danda, John Lee, Shrikhand Mahadev, and the Gangotri ranges will take your breath away with their beauty and serenity.

Dodital

It is believed that this beautiful lake is the abode of Lord Ganesha. The trek starts from Agoda with a mild climb through the mule trail. The last phase of the trek is a bit steeper but perfect for adventurous minds. A small temple is built in Pahari style which adorns the banks of this freshwater lake. Moreover, a small hamlet called Sangam Chatti can also be visited, which is a settlement of the Gujjar community. If you love pristine green landscapes and pines and waters, then this is the place for you

Sangamchatti

The trek starts from Sangamchatti, the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. Surrounded by the Dayara range, this beautiful trail is bejeweled with Rhododendrons and the wondrous chirping of the Himalayan Monal. The icing on the cake is the babbling streams of Asi Ganga which leads to Bhebra village. One will get a glimpse of the Darwa pass after passing through the forests of Birch and crossing a few brooks. The amazing view of the Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini range adds to the glory of this ancient route.

Ayana Devi Temple

The trek to Ayana Devi temple starts from Gangori, via the Naald village of Uttarkashi. The trek is 11.4 km long and is surrounded by lush green flora and diverse fauna. On reaching the temple one can get occasional glimpses of the Himalayan Shepherds who graze their cattle in the region and play flutes. A small walk through the Ganesh Ganga Valley is also worth enjoying due to the serene beauty of the area.

Gaumukh

The Gaumukh trek starts from Uttarkashi to Gangotri via Harsil. After reaching Gangotri the walking trail is almost 17 km long and is for adventurous souls. It takes two days to complete the trek. Nightstays are available in Bhojbasa in local Ashrams or tents. Gaumukh is of utmost spiritual significance as this is where the sacred Ganges originates from. It is believed that King Bhagirath performed penance to call Ganga on earth and this is the place where she descended.

Gyansu

Gyansu is located amidst the town of Uttarkashi itself. It is a small locality that is flourishing along the banks of the Ganges. While you can enjoy a small trek through nearby hills, many parts of the trek pass through the busy streets. The last bits of the trek are quiet and free of crowds and sounds. One can see the towering mountains that cradle the town with distant barrages built on Ganga. Numerous temples adorn the pebbly trail and with a suitable guide, one can get a glimpse of the hidden religious spots as well.

Nakuri

The trek starts from the village of Naald traversing which, one can visit the confluence of Asi Ganga and Mighty Bhagirathi. Rows of Pine forests adorn the trail along with lush greenery and majestic peaks. The trek ends with a visit to Kuthnaur which is at a distance of 15 km from the nearest sub-district of Barkot.

Budha Kedar

It is a long and challenging trek that can be completed within a duration of 19 hours. The trek is known for its solitude and pristine crowd-free environment. So, it is necessary to travel in a group in such a place to avoid navigation problems. The Budha (Old) Kedar Village is named after the temple of the same name that resides in the area. Moreover, the temple is situated at the confluence of Bal Ganga and Dharam Ganga. It is believed that the Pandavas asked Rishi Balkhily to suggest a way so that they may get rid of all sins. The sage told them to visit this confluence and they’ll get the answers. Once the brothers visited this place, they saw an old man performing penance. When they tried to approach him, the man vanished and a Shivling appeared on the site. The brothers believed that this Shivling could remove all sins and Budha Kedar was formed just like that. A trekker can get a panoramic view of the Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath ranges from the village. The spot is also known as one of the best in terms of birding and camping

Conclusion

Despite being a small district within a small state, Uttarkashi is bejeweled with many not-so-known places that hold utmost spiritual and natural significance. As a trekker, it’ll be delightful to visit all of these hidden treks. So, start backpacking now!

Blog by Chandrajita Chakraborty