Triund Trek in the Himalayas – Misty Trails and Stunning Views – Everything you need to know

The Triund Ridge Trail (famously called as The Triund Trek) ascends to an altitude of approximately 2,875 meters (9,430 feet) in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. It connects Triund Peak, which is at an elevation of about 2,828 meters (9,281 feet), and Indrahar Pass, at around 4,342 meters (14,245 feet).

Choosing the Route

We saw that there are two routes we could take for our trek to the top of the Triund Ridge Trail. The trek via Bhagsu Nag Waterfalls is the shortest, at 8 km one way. The other route, via Gallu Devi Temple, is 10 km one way. We decided to take the Gallu Devi Temple route for the ascent and come down via the Bhagsu Nag Waterfalls route.

The Trek Experience

We started our trek in the morning after breakfast from McLeod Ganj. From McLeod Ganj, it is about a 2.1 km walk to reach Gallu Devi Temple, where the real hiking trail begins. This added another 2.1 km to our ascent, making the total climb about 12.1 km.

After walking for about an hour and a half, we came across our first teahouse, where they were selling chai and some snacks. It was very refreshing to sit down with a hot chai and enjoy the beautiful view of the Himalayan mountains. We passed several cafes along the way, and the trail was easy to follow. Occasionally, we encountered groups of hikers, but it wasn’t as crowded as we had expected.

The trail we climbed

We reached a higher elevation, and mountain goats were blocking our way. We had to wait a few minutes for them to move, but it was a great experience to see them up close against the misty backdrop.

The Himalayan mountain goats

By this point, the trail was still ascending, with no descents yet. After about 3 hours of trekking, we were rewarded with a mesmerizing view of the Dhauladhar Mountain Range.

Another half hour of ascent and we reached the top of the Triund Ridge. Just as we arrived, it started raining. We took shelter at the teahouse for a while, bought ponchos, and then decided to explore the area. The rain stopped after about 5 minutes, and we were able to walk around the mountain ridge.

Triund Ridge is a base camp used for acclimatization by trekkers heading to Indrahar Pass. We saw tents set up for trekkers who were resting before continuing their journey.

The Descent

After spending an hour soaking in the beautiful views of the Himalayan range, we began our descent via the Bhagsu Nag Waterfall route. We walked along a ridge where we could clearly see the two mountain peaks. About 100 meters further, the ridge connected us to the top of another mountain, and we began our descent from there.

The descent took us through a whole new landscape

We all felt that the route down resembled the French Alps, with green meadows and large boulders scattered everywhere.

As we continued down the mountain, we realized that descending was much harder than climbing up. The route had large rocks that required us to jump down at some points.

We saw people climbing up this route and appreciated both the route we ascended and the one we descended. It’s hard to imagine doing it the other way around because the morning views while climbing via McLeod Ganj – Gallu Devi Temple were so beautiful. If we were to do the trek again, we would likely choose the same route.

After about 8 hours, we reached Bhagsu Nag Waterfalls. We took a quick glance at it, but since we were all tired, we didn’t stop for long.

Trek and Trail Details

Fee and Registration

For the trek start early morning, there is a fee to the the triund trek. An entry fee of approximately Rs100-Rs200 per person is now charged at a police checkpoint near the Gallu Devi temple. You must register your details at the checkpoint when starting from the Gallu Devi temple side.

Facilities Along the Trail

There are stores along the way if you need some snacks or water juice etc. There are no washrooms anywhere along the trail, so plan accordingly before you start your trek. Remember, there are no toilet facilities along the trail.

Route Recommendation

We recommend to go up via one route and come down the other so you can get the views from both the route.

Tips to Hike Triund

How to Get There

From Delhi take a flight to Kangra airport 1.5 hrs. From Kangra airport take the taxi from Kangra airport to Dharamsala 18.5 km.

Best Time to Visit

March to June and September to November are ideal months for clear skies and comfortable weather. June is the best time to hike the Triund trail. It may rain for a short while, keep a rain poncho handy. Overall, the weather stays around the mid-20s Celsius, making it pleasant for hiking in June.

Start Early

Begin your trek early in the morning to avoid fog and make it back before sunset.

Carry Essentials

Water, snacks, sunscreen, cap, raincoat, and a light jacket are must-haves. Wear sturdy trekking shoes with a good grip as parts of the trail can get rocky. Carry a reusable bottle; tea stalls are available but spaced far apart.

Difficulty

It’s a moderate trek, basic stamina helps you enjoy it comfortably. Keep in mind, it’s an 18 – 20 km hike that requires a reasonable level of fitness.

Respect The Himalayas

Avoid littering and be mindful of local wildlife and mountain goats.

Overnight Option

If camping overnight, book tents at the top in advance and carry warm layers.