{"id":1867,"date":"2026-08-30T11:16:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T05:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.riderishikesh.com\/blog\/?p=1867"},"modified":"2026-08-30T11:17:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T05:47:09","slug":"treks-winter-uttarakhand-snow-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.riderishikesh.com\/blog\/treks-winter-uttarakhand-snow-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Treks During Winter in Uttarakhand \u2014 Best Snow Treks and Complete Guide (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Most people think winter shuts Uttarakhand’s trails. It doesn’t it just changes them entirely. Treks during winter in Uttarakhand are some of the most rewarding in India, specifically because the high-altitude meadows are buried under snow, the skies are cleaner than any other season, and the trails are quiet. The window is mid-December to late February. If you’ve been waiting for a snow trek that doesn’t require mountaineering experience, this is where to start. This guide covers the six best routes, a gear checklist, safety rules, and how to decide which trek actually fits your fitness and time.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why Winter Is the Right Season for These Uttarakhand Treks\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Summer and autumn are the popular seasons, which means crowded campsites, booked-out operators, and trails that look good in photos but feel like queuing at a popular cafe. Winter changes all of that.<\/span><\/p>

Above 2,500m, consistent snowfall begins in December. By January, the bugyals (high-altitude meadows) on routes like Brahmatal and Dayara Bugyal are fully white. Kedarkantha’s summit view in January \u2014 Kedarnath, Kalanag, Bandarpunch, Swargarohini lined up on the horizon is cleaner and sharper than anything you’ll see in October.<\/span><\/p>

Here’s what you’re trading for that: shorter days (sunset around 5:30\u20136pm means reaching camp by 4pm is non-negotiable), colder nights (-5\u00b0C to -15\u00b0C depending on elevation and month), and roads to the base towns that can be icy or temporarily blocked after heavy snowfall.<\/span><\/p>

None of that is a reason not to go. It’s a reason to prepare properly.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Best Treks During Winter in Uttarakhand \u2014 Route by Route<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Kedarkantha Trek (3,810m) \u2014 Best for Beginners Wanting a Summit<\/b><\/h3>

\"kedarkantha<\/p><\/thead>
Base Town<\/strong><\/th>Sankri (Uttarkashi district)<\/td><\/tr>
Distance<\/strong><\/th>20 km round trip<\/td><\/tr>
Duration<\/strong><\/th>7-5 days<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Best months<\/strong><\/th>December-February<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Snow from<\/strong><\/th>2,800m (roughly Day 2 onward)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Kedarkantha is the right first winter trek short enough to complete without extreme fitness, high enough to feel genuinely alpine, and the trail is well-managed. The summit sits at 3,810m and is achievable for anyone who has done at least some uphill walking before. The forest through oak and pine on the ascent is beautiful under snow, and the final push to the top is steep but doable in 2\u20133 hours from the high camp.<\/span><\/p>

Road note: Sankri is about 200 km from Dehradun. The last 50 km from Mori to Sankri can develop ice patches in January leave Dehradun early (5am) to reach Sankri by afternoon without rushing the mountain roads.<\/span><\/p>

Brahmatal Trek (3,800m) \u2014 Best for Snow Views Without the Summit Rush<\/b><\/h3>

\"brahmatal<\/p>

Photo Credit: Ritesh Farswan<\/strong><\/p><\/thead>
Base Town<\/strong><\/th>Lohajung (Chamoli district)<\/td><\/tr>
Distance<\/strong><\/th>22 km<\/td><\/tr>
Duration<\/strong><\/th>5-6 days<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Best months<\/strong><\/th>December-February<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Snow from<\/strong><\/th>2,500m (relatively low start)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Brahmatal is the most consistently snow-covered route of the six. The frozen Brahmatal lake in January is genuinely striking you’re standing on ice at 3,500m with Trishul and Nanda Ghunti directly in front of you. The route via Bekaltal is steady and forested; there are no technical sections. It’s easier than Kedarkantha in terms of terrain difficulty but requires more days.<\/span><\/p>

Dayara Bugyal (3,408m) \u2014 Best for Open Meadow Snow<\/b><\/h3>

\"beginner<\/p><\/thead>
Base Town<\/strong><\/th> Raithal or Barnala (Uttarkashi district)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Distance<\/strong><\/th>22 km round trip<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Duration<\/strong><\/th>3-4 days<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Best months<\/strong><\/th>December-February<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Snow from<\/strong><\/th>2,800 m<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Dayara is where you go if you want that pure snowfield experience walking across open white meadow at 3,400m with Bandarpunch ahead of you. The altitude is lower than Kedarkantha and Brahmatal, which makes it marginally more forgiving, but the bugyal itself is exposed and cold winds can be intense. Good for a 3-day weekend option from Dehradun.<\/span><\/p>

Chopta\u2013Chandrashila (4,090m) \u2014 Best for a Himalayan Shrine in Snow<\/b><\/h3>

\"chopta<\/p><\/thead>
Base Town<\/strong><\/th>Ukhimath or Chopta (Rudraprayag district)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Distance<\/strong><\/th>8 km round trip (Chopta to Chandrashila summit)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Duration<\/strong><\/th> 2\u20133 days with acclimatisation<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Best months<\/strong><\/th>December-February<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Snow from<\/strong><\/th>Chopta itself (~2,680m)<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Chopta to Chandrashila is the shortest route on this list 4 km each way but it climbs 1,400m and the summit ridge is exposed and cold. Tungnath temple (3,680m) sits on the ascent route and is locked for winter; you’ll see it snow-covered and silent. The Chandrashila summit at 4,090m on a clear winter day has arguably the best accessible 360\u00b0 Himalayan view in Garhwal. Strong winds up here don’t underestimate the wind-chill.<\/span><\/p>

Kuari Pass (3,640m) \u2014 Best for Experienced Winter Trekkers<\/b><\/h3>

\"kuari<\/p>

Photo Credit – Kunal Rana<\/strong><\/p><\/thead>
Base Town<\/strong><\/th>Joshimath \/ Auli (Chamoli district)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Distance<\/strong><\/th>33\u201340 km depending on route <\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Duration<\/strong><\/th>5-6 days<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Best months<\/strong><\/th>December-February<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Kuari Pass is the step up on this list longer, at higher altitude, with more demanding daily distances. The Curzon Trail section gives you sustained views of Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, and Kamet. Not recommended as a first winter trek. If you’ve done Kedarkantha or Brahmatal and want the next level, this is it.<\/span><\/p>

Nag Tibba (3,022m) \u2014 Best Easy Winter Trek Near Dehradun<\/b><\/h3>

\"nag<\/p><\/thead>
Base Town<\/strong><\/th>Pantwari (Tehri Garhwal)<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Distance<\/strong><\/th>16 km round trip\u00a0<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Duration<\/strong><\/th> 2 days\u00a0<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Best months<\/strong><\/th>December-February<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

The easiest option and the closest to Dehradun\/Rishikesh (58 km via Mussoorie). Good snow from 2,500m in January, forest trail throughout, no technical sections. The summit view is quieter than Kedarkantha but still picks up Bandarpunch and Swargarohini. If this is your first Himalayan trek of any kind, start here in November or December before committing to anything higher.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How to Choose Your First Winter Trek in Uttarakhand\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Before you book anything, answer these honestly:<\/span><\/p>

Days available:<\/b><\/p>