Completing the Triund and Snowline trek has been a major highlight of my time in India so far- No question.
Following the 5-month lockdown in Rishikesh, North India, I jumped at the opportunity to head to the stunning Himalayan ranges of Himachal Pradesh when lockdown restrictions started easing! And, with the virus closing most attractions in India, trekking is one of the few things we could still do!
Disclaimer: I have always been fascinated by trekking and dreamed of taking those perfect silhouette pictures from mountain tops. Yet, the thought of actually completing these agonising uphill hikes seemed a world away from London, with bad hips and most of my time spent working from home (bed!)
The Triund and Snowline trek served as my biggest trekking challenge so far! The reward at the end is TOO spectacular to miss, read on to find out more…
- Triund
- Route Options & My Recommendation for the BEST way to see Triund
- Top Tips you don’t want to miss
- Day 1: Trek to Triund and stay overnight
- Day 2: Trek to Snowline and return via Bhagsu Waterfall
The Triund Top
Commonly known as the crown jewel of Dharamshala, Triund is a divine trekking destination offering panoramic views of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges and the Kangra Valley in the Himalayas. Sitting at 2827 meters, or (9275 feet), Triund is a firm favourite providing a moderately challenging trek and an abundance of natural beauty.
The trek is considered a moderate to easy trek by numerous online blogs (which doesn’t mean its easy). But, when I remembered my dead legs on a 2400m trek in Salento, Colombia – ‘easy’ sounded good!
In reality, unless you are a seasoned trekker– it’s not ‘that’ easy. I read some crazy reviews saying the trek took 2-3hours, if you have the stamina of a horse, yes. But otherwise, be prepared for it to take a lot longer! We reached Triund after 3.5/4 hours from Bhagsu Nag (about 7km from Mcleod Ganj) via the route recommended below.
Routes for the Triund Trek
So there are a few ways you can do this, this blog will focus on the 2nd option. This is the route we took, and I think is the best challenge mixed with ease and serene beauty.
- Easiest– Catch a taxi or tuk-tuk to Galu Devi Temple (from Mcleod Ganj or Bhagsu) and from there hike the 8-9 km to Triund Hill.
- Moderate- (recommended) Make your own way up to Dharamkhot from Mcleod Gang or Bhagsu. From there head to Gallu Devi Temple and follow the (8-9km) path to Triund.
- Hardest – From Mcleod Main Square head to Bhagsu Nag> Bhagsu Waterfall> Triund Top. (As a beginner, I do not recommend taking this route given the steep ascends and unclear markings).
Top Hints and Tips for your trip:
- Be sure to bring at least 2 litres of water as there are limited shops along the way. You cannot be sure what will be open/closed on your chosen day.
- Carry some energy-rich snacks like nuts and fruit to keep you going.
- There are no ATMs along the route so be sure to carry cash (to be safe, 1000rs per person per night).
- I highly recommend a one-night stay at Triund. The trek is a tiring uphill walk and at night you can see the clearest stars. Furthermore, the quaint and peaceful morning had me feeling on top of the world!
- There were no toilet facilities or power sources, so carry toilet paper and a power bank for your tech!
Additionally, a night to relax will give you power to head up (approx 90mins further) to the Snowline. To experience true mountain serenity the Snowline is a must-see and even better if you can continue onto Indarhah Pass!
Day 1: Trek to Triund
Starting at Bhagsu (which can be reached easily from Mcleod Ganj), we decided to set off around 8am. You want to find your way up to Gallu Devi Temple which can be reached by walking via Dharamkhot (Google maps works to some extent but your best bet is to ask a local if you get stuck). A good place to take a break, and I was panting already at this point. So, we stopped at the Sun and Moon Cafe, another option was the Cafe Gallu both offering chai and light breakfast (typically omelette or Maggi).
Gallu Devi to Triund
And the real trek begins! The quiet paths from Gallu Devi to Triund will take you through dense forests on both sides and rocky steps along a moderately steep road. There are yellow arrows marked along the way, but keep looking out for the markings on stones to keep you on track.
We ended up taking 4- hours from Gallu up to Triund. Our pace probably varied, as the further up you go, the steeper and sharper the rocks get. Within 2km of reaching Triund, the soles of our feet were hurting and our stomachs rumbled. There is usually a highly recommended café named Magic View, but this was closed due to the #coronatimes.
Given it was a pretty cloudy day in the middle of September, the views were sporadic and fast-changing. One minute we were submerged in a thick sea of white cloud and the next a radiant view of over the Dhadular ranges emerged from the fog. However, travelling off-season and in the Corona times gave the trek an authentic and relaxed feel. Every so often a local Indian herding horses or cows hurried passed, very few tourists were around and we bumped into a massive herd of goats. I can imagine they’d usually be accompanied by a few more selfie cameras!
Finishing Day 1
Despite some clouds covering a lot of the view on day 1. We reached Triund just in time for sunset and caught some stunning shots. By the evening, the temperature dropped rapidly! We wrapped up in thick blankets and laid back under the stunning sparkly sky. Honestly, I have never seen so many stars in my life! We were completely alone given the corona times, and even saw 5 shooting stars pass! Luckily, we managed to have a dinner of rice and dal at our guesthouse, Moonlight Rooms despite the quiet tourist site.
Given the situation, we negotiated a cheap price of 700INR for a small room without a toilet or electricity. Usually, you can expect to pay 1000-1200INR for a tent, or 1500INR for a guesthouse. It was cold, but the silence and exhaustion from a days walking ensured we had a deep sleep!
Day 2: See the Snowline and Return via Bhagsunag Waterfall
We woke up at 6am, feeling refreshed and watched the incredible sunrise over the peaceful Dhauladhar ranges. Leaving behind the calm and beautiful settings of Triund, we began our voyage up to the Snowline. To reinforce, the pristine walk and the breathtaking views make the Snowline an absolute must see!
The beauty is beyond words and caught me by surprise. By setting off early you can completely engross yourself in the spectacular views without worrying about time. There was also a small spot called the Snowline ‘Cafe’ which isn’t exactly a cafe but more a hut-like chaiwallah who serves omelette, Maggi and occasionally dal and rice.
After a simple omelette and chai, I perched on the edge of a rock, feeling proud, amazed and mesmerised. This became our spot for hours, and as there were fewer clouds it felt like no matter what, you hadn’t seen enough!
Furthermore, with the energy and the time, you can see this guide up to the stunning Indarah Pass!
Finishing Day 2
I didn’t want to go… But there was a long walk back ahead of us and no manmade lighting would not make this a fun in the dark. So, at around 1pm, we headed back via the route in the direction of Triund.
Upon reaching Triund, and stopping for a quick chai, we checked the routes back to Triund on the tiniest bit of signal! I’d heard the trek up to Triund via Bhagsu waterfall was steep. But when a trekking application said walking back via Bhagsunag waterfall only took 2hrs45- we jumped at the opportunity.
Well, seeing the other side, I was pleased we didn’t take this route up! The rocks were steep and sharp and at an incline that was considerably hard on the knees. There were also yellow arrows pointing us in the direction back to Bhagsu that ended up being helpful. And we used the Komoot app to keep us on trace. A small warning: overall this route is fun and adventurous, but arduous and confusing! Definitely a route for the thrill-seekers on the way up. But taking it on the way down gives you more stunning views and allows you to experience both routes of the Triund trek!
Downhill can easily feel harder than going uphill with this kind of terrain, and we completely exhausted upon reaching Bhagsu!
We had the best journey on our triund trek!
Reflecting on my trip, I discovered that solo trekking is a transformational experience. From the joy of pushing my abilities to the reward of stunning views at the end of the journey. The Triund trek was my first major hike and one that will inspire me to push myself to complete more challenging treks in the near future.
Latest from the blog and gram!
Hello, I was wandering around online and I saw your site from another site. I read a few of your posts and thought they are well written. Thanks, Ill visit your page again soon.