Triund Trek

About Triund

Triund is the most popular trekking trail in Dharamshala. Triund is a spectacular ridge beneath the mighty Dhauladhar range. Most of the mountain ranges are same in the Himalayan belt but every trekking route has something different to offer.

Triund a serene and alluring trekking destination, is the crown jewel of Dharamshala, situated in the laps of Dhauladhar mountains, it has the perfect view of the Dhauladhar mountains on one side and Kangra valley on the other side.

Triund Trails is easy and short but the senic views it gives to capture in your camera is breath taking. Kunal Pathri Devi temple is one of the famous place and fist campsite for triund but if you want to go higher then visit second campsite SnowLine Café and still you are not convince with the height then take a trail from the back of Snow Line café that will take you to the heighest point of Triund (10632 feet). From the top point you can enjoy 360° view of Triund Hill, Kangra Valley and Dhauladhar Mountain range.

Location

Triund is hill top point in Kangra District in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Triund is a part of Dharamkot.

Distance

It’s a 7 km trail from Dharamkot. You can get transportation till Dharamkot in summers, but in winters you need to start trekking from McLeodganj. Your trail will pass Gallu Devi temple and this means you are on the right path.

How to reach Triund

Dharamshala is the place which is well connected with Triund so think about to reach Dharamshala.

By air: Gaggal Airport is in Dharamshala only, so reach Dharamshala and take a taxi to either Dharamkot or McLeodganj.

By Road: This is the economical way to reach Triund, Dharamshala is well connected with major cities by road. Take an overnight bus from Delhi to Dharamshala, after reaching to Dharamshala, pick up a local bus or shared cab to reach McLeodganj and then move toward Triund on foot.

By Train: Nearest broad gauge railways station is Pathankot which is 85 km away and Narrow gauge railways station is Jassur.

Maximum Altitude

Triund is situated at the height of 9150 to 9414 feet but the highest point is 10,632 feet.

Level of Trek

Trekking to Triund is easy and beginners can easily do this trek. If somebody want to start trekking then visit Triund.

Region

Triund is situated in the Kangra District in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Duration

1 night and 2 days are enough to explore Triund

Activity

Trekking: Trekking is one of the way to reach Triund and beginners can easily conquer it.

Photography: Capture the 360° view of Himalayas from the top of Triund.

Camping: Stay under the stars, you can stay in the guest house but camping is more famous.

Attraction en route:

Gallup Devi temple, shiva cafe and Bhagsu waterfall

Every year seasoned trekkers and mountaineers from all across the globe reach Triund.

Itinerary

Day 1: Dharamkot to Triund via Gallu Devi Temple

Altitude: 6,184 ft to 9,760 ft

Distance: 7 km

Time taken: 3 hours

Dharamkot is a village situated about 2 km up from McLeodganj. The trail from Dharamkot is nice and pass through the thick crown of pine forests. After 15 minutes walk through the forest you reach to Gallu Devi Temple.

Someone own’s a tea shop there, just below the shrine so you can enjoy hot tea in cold weather. At this point you will find the cross of trails, one trail go to south-west into the forest to the village of Naddi and another forest trail goes north-west, to the stream that descends from Laka. Triund trail continues to straight and pass the small shrine. The steep of the trail increase in steady wayand pass through oak thickets and traverses the steep side of the Laka ridge. Dharamkot and Bhagsu lie below this trail, your can easily see if you see down from the trail.

In the middle of the trail, there is a gully that pass through from the steep section and take you to rocky spur. Photographers love to visit this place as it is one of the best place for bird watchers, trail shows some beautiful and colorful birds to capture in camera.Reach Magic view cafe, and trail become much steeper when you will move up after little rest at cafe. At this point, one can see the meeting point of the Dharamkot spur of the Laka ridge and the Triund ridge.

The trail continues through the series of steep sections. one have to pass through dense forest of rhododendron and oak trees. It is pleasant but slightly tough climb from here to Triund in good weather. At last reach Triund, It is an open green carpet that stretches to the south till few kilometers, before meeting with the Kangra valley. One can find lot of campsites here. You can find four shops who serve tea and other food items on the top. From Triund, enjoy the views of Dhauladhar ranges, namely Mun (4,610 m), Rifle Horn, Arthur’s seat & Slab (4,570 m). Supply of water is available but just before 1 km from Triund.

It is highly appreciable if you carry your own supply of drinking water this is the only major thing which can ruin your trip. If you want to spend your night in forest rest house, book it in advance and that you can book forest rest house at Dharamshala. It is highly advisable to carry your own tent and sleeping bad if you don’t want to be the part of hassle bustle. You will get cooked meal and refreshments during the peak season.

Day 02: Back to McLeodganj

Follow the same trail to come back to McLeodganj. One can spend one day at McLeodganj or can take a bus to come back to Delhi.

How to make yourself fit

In terms of difficulty, the Triund trek is classified one of the easy treks in Indian Himalayas.

Cardiovascular endurance

You will cover distance of approx 18 km in these 2 days. You will trek up to an altitude of 10,632 feet. The secret to covering this distance comfortably lies in building your cardiovascular endurance. You can begin by jogging every day. On the very first day people trek without any pain but on the second day they feel pain and apply pain relief spray, to avoid all this start jogging before 1 week of your trek (this is only for Triund. Start slow and increase your pace every day. Swimming, cycling and stair climbing without too many breaks in between can help too.

Strength

Strength is another area which should be there in you. You need to build strength in your muscles and in your core body. Do some squats to strengthen your leg muscles and you can do 3 sets of squats and also do few crunches.

Flexibility

Flexibility is required to conquer this trek as some of the patches are little steeper. For this, you can do some stretching exercises – stretch your hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, lower back muscles and shoulders regularly. Carrying a backpack, however light, can become a strain after a while. These exercises will help you to be in good shape before the trek.

Working out indoors

If you can't go out and jog because of time and other reasons then follow this video and make yourself fit.

What to Pack for this trek

Basic necessities

• Trekking Shoes: Trek has some steep patches so we suggest you to take trekking shoes to make trekking easier for you. Regular Sport shoes is not suggestible from our side.

• Backpack (30-40 liters): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Carry rain cover for backpack is essential

Clothing

• Three Warm Layers (in Winters): The trail is covered with snow in the winter so take 2 fleece and one good quality winter jacket .

• One Trek Pant: Take one trek pant, one to use and take inner trek pant and use as a inner liners to keep warm in winters.

• Two Collared t-shirts: Carry light, full sleeved t-shirt that prevent sun burn on the neck and on arms. Carry 2 t-shirt at least.

• Thermals: Carrying thermals is all up to participants, as the capacity to bear cold is different from participant to participant but we suggest you to take as safety. Mandatory in winters (upper and bottom both).

Accessories

• Sunglass: Sunglasses is mandatory to carry as the sky is so clear in mountains and UV rays come direct without any filter

• Synthetic hand gloves: One pair of fleece or woolen hand gloves for winters which is water resistant

• Sun cap: It is required to cover your head

• Woolen cap: Carry in winters

• Socks: Two pair of cotton socks as we prefer to change daily. Carry 1 pair of woolen socks in winters

• Headlamps: carry with spare batteries

• Trekking pole: Trail become difficult in winters because of snow. so, we suggest you to take it

Other

• Toiletries: Sunscreen, Moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste

• Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. we insist you to carry it because some of the people more concern about hygiene factor.

• Water bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter