6 Beginner-friendly treks in Uttarakhand

Sometimes known as DevBhoomi, when it comes to beginner-level treks, Uttarakhand is a paradise. Short treks in Uttarakhand are a treat for anyone who wishes to lose themselves in the beauty of nature, due to the grace of the mighty Himalayas. Not only do treks provide a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, but they are a perfect way to relax, unwind, and enjoy some picturesque beauty. If you love being in nature, treks are the perfect way to do so, in the midst of oak and pine trees. A lot is up for grabs on the trekking trails in Uttarakhand, from adventure sports to tranquility. There are many treks for beginners, as daunting as they sound, who have little to no trekking experience.

The Kedarkantha trek is a mild winter trek that takes you to the 12,500-foot-high, snow-covered peak of Kedarkantha. This trek will take you across the views of frozen lakes and show some wonderful peaks of the mountains. The trek begins at Gaichawan Gaon, about 180 km from Dehradun. The trek is 5-6 days long and the winter season from December to April is usually the best time to travel. The Dhauladhar Range, Chasil Pass, Rupin Valley and the Har Ki Dun Valley can be seen from the top.

Located at 11,768 feet in height, Har Ki Dun is a perfect trek for beginners and has also been named the stairway to heaven. Breathtaking views of the Swargarohini group of hills, Bandarpoonch and Blacktop, the Har Ki Dun hill. From the village of Sankri, the trek starts and goes through the Govind National Park. The trek is normally 7 days long, and April to June and September to December are the best times to visit. The Har Ki Dun Valley is steeped in mythology, as it is believed that when they ascended to heaven, the Pandavas took this path and were thus called the 'Valley of Gods.'

Situated at an altitude of 9,915 feet in the Garhwal hills, Naag Tibba is a beautiful trek, with the path taking you to one side of the mountain and the descent to the other side. The Nag Tibba Trek, also known as the Serpent's Peak, begins at the village of Pantwari, which is located 85 km from the city of Dehradun. The route leads seekers of adventure through thick woods packed with deodar and oak trees. October to April is the perfect time to explore and it is one of the simplest treks for just 2 days.

A beautiful trek that takes you through colourful rhododendrons, varied forest trails, and snow patches is Deoriatal. You'll be sitting on a stunning lake when you ascend up to Deoriatal, while all the Himalayan peaks swallow the lake. And, you camp around it there. The trek starts at Sari, which is an eight-hour drive from Haridwar, and finally takes you to the 12,083-foot Chandrashila peak. The Chandrashila peak provides a beautiful view of the area of Garhwal and Kumaon and peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, Gangotri ranges, etc. It's a five-day trek and it's recommended that you visit here to get the most out of it in the months from April to November.

This short trek in Uttarakhand takes you to Dodital Lake, full of life and full of rare fish species, including the Himalayan Golden Trout. The trek begins from the village of Barsu in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and takes you to Dayara Bugyal, one of the highest meadows in Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 11,100 feet. A mixture of oak, rhododendron and maple forests will lead you on this journey. The trek starts from Raithal and usually lasts 7-8 days. The best time to trek on this trail is between May and June, and between September and October.

The Valley of Flowers is an unforgettable first-time hike. The trek to the Valley of Flowers is popular and perhaps the most sought after location in Uttarakhand. It is a trek that ends at a valley of wildflowers spread over an area of 87.50 square km, as the name implies. The valley is located in the Bhyundar Valley in the Chamoli district, at an altitude of 3,658 m. This 4-5 day trek starts at Govind Ghat and it's very easy to climb up the valley. The best time to visit is from the end of June until September.