Places to Visit in India
Located only 18 kilometres away from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh; a trek to Triund is a promise of encounters with the ‘hidden in the plain sight’ beauty of sunrises, forest trails, sunsets and clear starry nights and breath-taking views of the Kangra Valley.
Triund is a well-connected tourist spot and is accessible almost all around the year, making it an ideal weekend getaway, be it alone, with someone, friends or an impromptu family trip.
What to expect on the trek to Triund?
The trek can be started from McLeodganj or from Dharamkot, which is just two kilometres ahead from McLeodganj, so to cut the trek shorter you can take a cab from McLeodganj till Galu Devi temple, which is a famous landmark and from where the trek is just 6.5 kilometres long and will approximately take three hours to complete.
The initial half of the trek is a gradual incline passing through the rhododendron and deodar forests and the last two kilometres from Snowline Café involve a relatively steeper climb all the way till Triund. The last kilometre of the trek is popularly known as the ‘22 curves’ as it encompasses 22 tiring curves before you finally reach Triund at the height of 2,975 metres.
Best time to go
The byway to Triund is cut-off due to heavy snowfall in the months of January and February. The best time to plan a trek to Triund is between March-May during the first half of the year and between September-December in the latter half.
The monsoon months make it a little difficult to trek but trekking is still possible and the lush, rejuvenating meadows after a rain shower are a serene sight to see.
Recommended Trek: Kareri Lake Trek
How to reach McLeodganj-The abode of Dalai Lama?
By Bus
One can reach Dharamshala, a major town 9 kilometres before McLeodganj by bus from New Delhi. Himachal Roadways and Himachal Tourism have regular bus services from Kashmiri Gate ISBT, New Delhi. One can book bus tickets using the following link:
By Car
As the roads are good and connected by national highways, a journey from Delhi to McLeodganj by road will take around 10 hours, so if you are up for a road trip; take your own private vehicle as opting for taxis is a more expensive affair.
By train
Pathankot is the nearest railway station to McLeoganj, situated at a distance of 91 kilometres. One can take a bus/taxi from the station to reach McLeodganj.
By flight
Kangra airport also called Gaggal airport, is the closest to Triund. From here you can take a direct bus/taxi to reach Dharamshala or McLeodganj.
Note: If you are starting from Delhi, the most economical and direct way would be by bus.
Tips to remember while trekking
- Wear comfortable clothes and footwear, preferably sports shoes.
- Carry bottles of water and quick energy snacks on the trek.
- Do take sunscreen, caps, jackets and a raincoat if travelling during monsoons.
Where to stay?
Triund has a very scenic lodge with a view of Dhauladhar range on one side and Kangra valley on the other.
You can also camp at Dharmkot and enjoy your stay in the wilderness, by booking your stay in advance.
Other places to see nearby
After the Triund trek, on the way back you can stay a day at Dharamkot and visit the Bhagsu Waterfall.
You can also visit the Tsuglagkhang Complex, in McLeodganj which is a monastic village enclosing Dalai Lama’s residence, Tibet Museum, Tsuglagkhang temple and Namgyal Gompa, which is the complex’s monastery.
You can also wander in the colourful markets of McLeodganj and shop for local souvenirs.
Bring out your calendar and plan out your weekend getaway without burning a hole in your pocket to the lesser known trails of Himachal Pradesh, plan a trek to Triund.
