Triund Trek: The Best Beginner Friendly Trek

The Triund Trek, nestled in the Himalayas, is a gateway to adventure for beginners and seasoned trekkers alike. With its well-marked trails and breathtaking views, it's no wonder this trek has become a favorite among many. Let's explore why the Triund Trek is the best beginner-friendly trek you can experience.

Key Highlights of Triund Trek

1. Stunning Panoramic Views One of the main attractions of the Triund Trek is the stunning panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range. Whether you're an adventure enthusiast or a nature lover, the sight of these majestic mountains will leave you spellbound. The Triund trek height in feet is approximately 9,350 feet, providing a vantage point for breathtaking vistas.

2. Beginner-Friendly Trail The Triund Trek is accessible to beginners, with a well-marked trail that makes navigation easy. Even if you're new to trekking, you won't feel lost or overwhelmed. The trek from McLeodganj to Triund trek distance is around 9 kilometers, making it a manageable journey for novices.

3. Sunrise and Sunset Imagine witnessing both sunrise and sunset from the same spot! Triund offers this unique opportunity, allowing you to soak in the beauty of nature at different times of the day. The changing hues of the sky over the Triund trek altitude are a photographer’s dream.

4. Dense Forests The trek takes you through dense deodar and oak forests, offering a refreshing and serene trekking experience. The greenery and the sound of rustling leaves add to the charm of the trek, making the Triund trek route a delightful journey through nature.

5. Camping Experience Triund is a popular spot for camping. Although official camping is not allowed, you can still pitch your own tent or connect with any booking provider to arrange a night under the stars. This makes the Triund trek itinerary flexible and adventurous.

Detailed Itinerary for Triund Trek

The trek has been divided into two days in the trek documentation.

Day 1: Dharamkot to Triund

• Trek Distance: 5.45 km

• Trek Duration: 4 hours

• GPS Coordinates of Dharamkot: 32°14'55.98"N, 76°19'31.55"E

• GPS Coordinates of Triund Campsite: 32°15'42.084"N, 76°21'15.732"E

Start the trek as early as possible. The first half of the trek faces the sun, and the sun in the mountains can be very harsh later in the day.

Get to the water tank near the government primary school at Dharamkot. Next to the water tank, there is a trail that climbs up through a forest. Walk up along this trail for about half an hour to get to the Galu temple clearing. There’s a small tea shop here, just below the shrine.

From here, one trail goes southwest into the forest to the village of Naddi. Another forest trail goes northwest to the stream that descends from Laka. The main trail to Triund continues straight past the small shrine.

Tip: There is an option of taking a cab all the way from McLeod Ganj to Gallu Devi temple. For a vehicle, you will be charged Rs. 500. Once you reach the Gallu Devi temple, you will see the trekking trail with the forest checkpoint. There are no charges to be paid. However, your ID card is important, and your details will be logged into a book. Your backpack will also be checked for the amount of plastic you are carrying and will be checked again while you return. Ensure you carry them back and trek responsibly.

The trail is a gently rising one through dense oak forests and traverses the steep side of the Laka ridge. As you move ahead, the trail is a deep gully that traverses a steep section and emerges on a rocky spur.

The main Dhauladhar range comes into view here with the pyramidal peak of Mun appearing larger than life. This entire stretch is perfect for birdwatchers, as these forests are home to various kinds of songbirds.

You also have the railings at multiple places on the trek along with a few dhabas/cafés serving tea and packaged food on the trek. There are about 22 bends on the trek or the climb. At around the halfway point, you reach Magic View Café. From here, the trail gets steeper.

The trail continues through a series of switchbacks and climbs to the Triund ridge through dense thickets of rhododendron and oak trees.

The last couple of switchbacks bring you out of the rhododendrons and onto the Triund ridge. It’s an open grassy ridge that stretches a good kilometer to the south before plunging into the Kangra valley.

There are plenty of places to camp here, and you can even get some provisions at the tea shops. Water is scarce and is available close to 1 km before Triund. It is highly advisable to carry your own supply of drinking water up here.

During the trekking season, there are many dhabas at Triund where you can get a cooked meal and refreshments. Instead of buying any packaged food, it is better to pack food from Dharamkot that won't get spoiled. You can stay overnight at the forest rest house at Triund by doing an advance booking at Dharamshala. The accommodation here is reasonable, costing around Rs. 600 to Rs. 800 for a room.

You can also rent tents at Triund (around Rs. 600 for a two-man tent, with sleeping bags). Keep in mind that on busy weekends, such as around public holidays, the tented accommodation at Triund may get booked out.

Day 2: Triund to Dharamkot

• Trek Distance: 5.45 km

• Trek Duration: 2-3 hours

• GPS Coordinates of Triund Campsite: 32°15'42.084"N, 76°21'15.732"E

• GPS Coordinates of Dharamkot: 32°14'55.176"N, 76°19'31.836"E

Wake up early to catch the incredible views of the sun rising from behind the peaks to your east. It is a beautiful sight as the sun lights up the Kangra valley.

If you are short on time, you can also head back to Dharamkot on Day 1 itself, making the round trip to Triund in a single day. You’ll miss out on the lovely views of the evening and morning sky from Triund, but it is possible to return before it gets dark, provided you start early.

Descend by retracing your steps along the path you came up with. Coming down should take a lot less time than it took to climb up. It’s a short day, so enjoy the walk and stop by the cafes en route.

Conversely, if you have the time, you can ascend further from Triund to Lahesh Cave via Laka. Lahesh Cave serves as the base camp for the climb to Indrahar Pass (14,250 ft).

There is a tea house at Laka, but you will have to carry your own supplies if venturing further. It is possible to go up to Lahesh Cave and descend back to Dharamkot the same day.

Best Season to Do the Triund Trek

Apart from the monsoon seasons of July and August and the peak winters of January and February, the Triund trek can be done year-round.

The spring and summer months of March to June have the best weather conditions for trekking. With one extra warm layer of clothing, the trek is perfect for escaping the harsh weather conditions of April and May.

Post-monsoon season is best for the clearest views of the mountain peaks from the trek. In December, you can expect the first spell of snowfall on the trek.

Reaching Triund by Public Transport from Delhi

The best way to reach from Delhi is to take an overnight bus to McLeod Ganj. Buses going to Dharamshala will drop you at the main square of McLeod Ganj.

There are two options for buses from Delhi: Majnu Ka Tila (officially called New Aruna Nagar colony) in the north district of Delhi or ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Dharamshala.

To reach Majnu Ka Tila, you need to go to Vishwa Vidyalaya metro station on the yellow line. Take an auto from the metro station, which will cost about Rs. 50 to reach Majnu Ka Tila.

There are private buses directly to Dharamshala leaving during the late evening, starting from 6 pm. It takes about 10 to 11 hours to reach McLeod Ganj.

The second option is to take the bus from ISBT Kashmir Gate.

Buses usually cost about Rs. 600 to Rs. 800 for a non-AC one and about Rs. 1200 to 1500 for an AC bus. You can book your tickets online from HRTC, which are the most reliable buses.

Reaching Triund by Public Transport from Chandigarh

If you are traveling from Chandigarh, you get direct buses from Chandigarh ISBT to McLeod Ganj.

You get overnight buses from Chandigarh ISBT (Sector 43). The cost will be Rs. 600 to 800 for a Volvo bus. It takes about 6 hours to reach McLeod Ganj from Chandigarh.

You can book the bus online from Redbus or HRTC.

Nearest International and Domestic Airports

• New Delhi International Airport - 175 km

• Kangra/Gaggal, domestic airport - 21 km

• Pathankot, domestic airport - 96 km

Is Triund Trek Difficult?

The Triund trek is perhaps one of the easiest treks to do in the Himalayas and can be done on your own if you are going from the trail starting from the Gallu Devi temple. There are no difficult sections as such, but note a few things to keep in mind while trekking:

• Trekking on sections where rocks and boulders can be slippery. Make sure you wear proper trekking shoes and carry trekking poles on the trek.

• If you are trekking from the alternative route of the Bagsu Nag Waterfalls, you need to be careful about sections that are steeper and very slippery. This is not a popular route that first-time trekkers take.

What Should I Carry for Triund Trek?

If you are camping on your own at Triund, ensure you carry a good tent with you, along with a sleeping bag that can withstand 0 degrees Celsius and a liner for hygiene. Additionally, carry a light foam mat and a small shovel to dig a cat hole and to cover it after use in case you need to defecate, as there are no washroom or toilet facilities on the trek.

If you are not camping on the Triund trek, here is a list of things to take with you:

• Bare Necessities

• Trekking shoes: Choose comfortable trekking shoes suitable for long distances.

• Backpack (40-60 litres): With sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Don't forget a rain cover.

• Clothing

• Two trek pants: One pair should suffice for this trek, but carry a spare in case the first one gets wet.

• Two collared t-shirts: Carry light, full-sleeved T-shirts that prevent sunburns on the neck and arms. Or you can opt for round-neck t-shirt with Sun Cap.

• Thermals (Optional): For colder nights.

• Accessories

• Sunglasses: To prevent snow blindness.

• Sun cap: To protect your face and neck from the harsh sun.

• Hand gloves: Gloves with UPF 50+. Anti-slip Palm Touch Screen Finger

• Balaclava: To keep your head warm.

• Socks: A spare pair of sports socks and a pair of woolen socks for the night.

• Headlamp/LED torch: Essential for night trekking.

• Trekking pole: For stability and support.

• Others

• Toiletries: Sunscreen, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer.

• Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug, and a lunch box.

• Two water bottles: 1 litre each.

• Plastic covers: Use them to compartmentalize and carry wet clothes.

• Mandatory Personal Medical Kit: Include basic medications like Crocin, Avomine (optional, for motion sickness), Combiflam, muscle relaxant, Digene, Avil, ORS, and a knee cap if you are prone to knee injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Triund Trek

1. Do I Need Permission for the Triund Trek? No prior permission is required for the Triund trek. However, there is a forest checkpoint when you are about to start the trek from the Gallu Mandir temple, and a valid ID card is necessary. There is no entry fee, but your backpack and ID will be checked by the forest officer before starting the trek. Alcohol is not allowed on the trek, so do not carry any.

2. Is Camping Allowed on the Triund Trek? Yes, camping is allowed on the Triund trek. You can rent tents at Triund or carry your own. Ensure you leave no trace and carry back all your waste with you.

3. What Are the Stay Options Near Triund Trek? There are a couple of options to stay on top of the ridge. You can rent a tent or stay at the forest guesthouse, which can be pre-booked from the Himachal tourism website. Alternatively, you can carry your own tent and pitch it on the top.

4. Are There Food and Water Sources Available on the Triund Trek? Triund Trek has many cafes en route where you can get tea and snacks. However, it is better to carry some food from the base in your tiffin box. For water sources, you have the base point of the Gallu Devi temple where you can fill your water bottles.

5. How Long Will the Triund Trek Take? The Triund trek is 5.5 km one way and will take approximately 5 hours to finish.

6. How Difficult is the Triund Trek? Triund is one of the easiest Himalayan treks for fit beginners. The trail is 5 km one way and is an apt weekend trek out of Dharamshala.

Emergency Contacts for Triund Trek

• Hospital: The closest hospital is at McLeod Ganj, which is 5 km away from Dharamkot.

• Police Station: The closest police station is also at McLeod Ganj.

• ERSS: For any kind of emergency help, you can contact the Pan-India Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) number- 112.

ATMs and Networks on the Trek

• ATMs: There are a few ATMs at McLeod Ganj. SBI and HDFC ATM machines are available.

• Mobile Networks: The network is very sketchy on the trek. You find intermittent signals for Jio and Vodafone while trekking and on some rocks near the temple. You don’t get any network coverage on the top.

Places To Visit After the Triund Trek

1. Dharamshala: The popular city of Dharamshala sees tourists from all facets. Covered with dense coniferous forests, it is the district headquarters of the Kangra valley. Exploring Dharamshala will take you one full day. There are monasteries, tea gardens, and the International Cricket stadium you can visit.

2. Bagsu Waterfall and Temple: After the trek, you can explore the Bagsu Waterfall, situated just after one kilometer of the Bagsunag Temple. Dipping your feet in this chilled water is an exciting thing after the trek.

3. Bir Billing or Palampur: If you are going in your own vehicle, then visiting these two hill towns is a must. Bir is known for its paragliding, while Palampur is known for tea gardens, waterfalls, birdlife, and views of the Dhauladhar range.

The Triund Trek offers a perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and tranquility. Whether you're a beginner looking for an introduction to trekking or an experienced trekker seeking a quick getaway, the Triund Trek is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.