Triund Trek Guide– Each trekking expedition is an adventure waiting to happen. Every time I embark on a trek I’m giddy with excitement – the cannot-sleep-before-the-annual-school-picnic type of excited.
The opportunity to experience the hills like very few have is attractive in itself but couple it with panoramic views, golden sunsets, camping under the starlit sky, whilst sharing stories with your friends around the campfire – and the recipe becomes simply too irresistible. The Triund Trek of Himachal Pradesh, Mcleodganj was all this and much more.
About Triund Trek with location and attractions
Located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, “the crown jewel of Dharmshala”, the Triund trek is one of the most notable and popular trails that one may easily accomplish during the weekend.
A two-day and 9 km trek may not seem like much but you gain a staggering altitude of 9760 ft in all but four hours. The view from the highest point of the trek may very well have left me speechless but it was the journey to the top that will stay with me forever.
Walking through alpine meadows carpeted in moss green grass, the stunning view of the expansive Dhauladhar ranges and Kangra valley, a trail that meanders through forests of oak and rhododendron, and of course, the constant companionship of melodious &colorful songbirds – the Triund Trek is the ultimate destination for all nature lovers.
I personally prefer my treks to be peppered with a few challenges and I got that in the form of the steep uphill climb which made the whole experience far more thrilling. Despite all the attractions that the Triund Trek, MCleodganj has to offer, it is the experience of camping on a secluded hilltop under the watchful eyes of the silver moon and million twinkling stars that remains my favorite.
Best Time to do the Triund Trek?
Triund just happens to be one of those places that boast of favorable weather conditions round the year. Even so, the Triund trekking best time would be during the summer months of March, April, and May & alternatively the winter months of September, October, November, and December.
If you are not a fan of the biting cold and chilly gusts of winds, you will love summer in Triund.
The weather is pleasant and comfortable round the clock. The temperature remains around 25-30 degrees Celsius during the day and drops to 8-10 degrees Celsius during the night. I particularly enjoy a bit of greenery in my treks and found the summer months to be Triund’s trekking best time, as I bore witness to the vibrant foliage, flora, and fauna of the region. It also happened to be just the perfect season to get the best out of those campfire nights.
Triund trek in winter is unfortunately rather unpredictable.
During the day the temperature ranges anywhere between 10-12 degrees Celsius, while the nights are bone-chilling with temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celsius or less. Triund trek in December will add an extra sliver of thrill to your journey as the temperature really starts to dip from the end of the year.
If you’re lucky you might even get fresh snow or better yet experience the first snowfall of the season. It is, however, prudent to check the weather conditions prior to the journey to avoid any hiccup. Trekking in Triund can be done in the peak winter months of January & February as well but I wouldn’t really recommend it unless you like swimming around in the snow (literally!).
Difficulty level
The Triund trek difficulty level is officially labeled as an easy to medium trek. I personally found it rather beginner-friendly. A member of our trekking gang was in fact new to the activity and she seemed to conquer the trek without much hassle as well. The Triund trek distance is 9 km of which 4 km is a steep uphill climb with the last 2 km being particularly challenging. Despite the steep ascend and 22 curves that the track throws your way, the Triund trek remains rather easy to climb. A perfect choice for beginners!
Brief trek route explaining the itinerary
Day 1: Mcleodganj to Triund Top
The first day of the trek starts from the Mcledoganj, located in the suburbs of Dharamshala. The trip from Dharamshala to the starting point of the trek is a mere 5 km but acts as the perfect predecessor to the beauty that lies ahead. I set out on the Triund trek adventure after a filling breakfast and a warm cup of tea. The hike started out simple and took me via meandering pathways to reach the first checkpoint – the Gallu Devi Temple.
After paying my respects I continued onto the trek soon to enter the forest of deodars. As I made my way through the leaf-strewn path enjoying the earthy smell and occasional melodies of songbirds, I caught glimpses of the Dhauladhar ranges which immediately made me up to my pace. It only took me a while before I was greeted with a 360-degree view of the captivating range along with the awe-inspiring spectacle of the sweeping Kangra valley. We halted at the Magic View café to catch our breath but more so to revel in the glory of the view that lay ahead of us.
The trail became distinctly elevated after crossing the café. The journey uphill was tiring owing to the curves that became a common feature in the last 2 km of the journey. Despite my years of trekking I found the last bit of the trail physically taxing and often testing my stamina and patience. But believe me when I say that view from the top of the hill was worth every bit of trouble.
The snow-cloaked Dhauladhar ranges, the extensive grassy alpine meadows, the clear blue sky, and the crisp, cold mountain air – it was pure bliss. After snapping what felt like a thousand pictures of the scenery, myself, and my friends, I sat down at the Triund top to take it all in before leaving for our camping site. Unfortunately, as per govt. guidelines, tourists are prohibited from spending the night at the top. So, we set up camp a little ways from the top.
The summer night was a cloudless one and the sky was an enchanting view of twinkling stars. After 8-9 km of trekking, gaining an altitude of 2800 meters and roughly 7 hours of trekking sleep found me easily.
Day 2: Return trip to Mcleodganj
My team and I woke up at the crack of dawn on the second day of the trek to catch the sunrise. Truth be told every sunrise has its charms but I am yet to witness another such sunrise that had me so spellbound.
Unwilling to leave the gorgeous locale so soon, we walked around for a bit basking in the glory of the majestic location. But all too soon it was time to pack our bags and descend to Mcleodganj. The 8-9 km journey downhill was a pleasant one and I had little trouble in making the trip without faltering or breaking into a sweat.
Upon reaching Mcleodganj I decided to explore the suburb and visit the artistic monasteries, Dalai Lama complex, curious museums, and tiny cafes. It was the perfect end to a lovely little weekend trek.
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
A memory card full of pictures, a bundle of fond memories, and a happy soul are the hallmarks of a successful trek and I promise you that the Triund Trek is all that. This trail deserves a place on your 2021 trekking bucket list!
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Good one Rupsha!