Short answer: Triund is an easy-to-moderate trek from McLeodganj to a grassy ridge at about 2,850 m: roughly 9 km one way (about 6.5 km from Galu Devi temple), with around 800 m of climb. Most fit beginners reach the top in 4–5 hours. The best months are March to June and September to November; avoid July–August rains and expect snow at the top from late December to February.
Triund is the trek almost everyone in Dharamshala does first, and for good reason. In one day you climb from a bustling town to an open ridge where the Dhauladhar stands straight in front of you, close enough that you can trace the gullies on its face. At night the whole Kangra valley lights up below.
The basics
- Start: McLeodganj, or Galu Devi temple above Dharamkot (saves about 2.5 km)
- Top: Triund ridge, about 2,850 m
- Distance: ~9 km one way from McLeodganj, ~6.5 km from Galu Devi
- Climb: about 800 m
- Time up: 4–5 hours for most people; down in 2.5–3
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
The route
From McLeodganj, the road climbs through Dharamkot to Galu Devi temple, where most trekkers start walking. The trail is wide and stony, going through oak and rhododendron forest with views opening up behind you.
About two-thirds of the way up is Magic View café, a tin-roofed tea stall and the classic stop for chai and Maggi. After it come the switchbacks: about twenty-two bends up a steep, rocky slope. That is the hard bit. Then the trees give way, you walk out onto the ridge, and the mountains appear.
When to go
- March–April: rhododendrons flower and there is snow on the range. Nights are cold.
- May–June: warm, busy, best for beginners. Weekends are crowded.
- July–August: monsoon. Slippery trail, leeches, views often lost in cloud. We do not recommend it.
- September–November: our favourite. Clear, crisp, the best views of the year.
- December–February: snow at the top, icy switchbacks. Only with microspikes and a guide.
Day trek or overnight?
You can go up and down in a day if you start by 8 am. But the magic of Triund is the sunset and sunrise. The range turns gold, then pink, and in the morning you see it before the clouds come up from the valley. If you can, stay the night.
Camping on the ridge
Camping at Triund is regulated by the forest department, and the rules have changed several times. Some years it has been restricted entirely. Book with someone who tracks the current rules and handles permissions, or check with the forest office in Dharamshala before going on your own.
Our Triund trek package includes a local guide, a tent, a sleeping bag and mat, and dinner and breakfast at the top, so you only carry a day pack.
What to carry
- Trekking or sports shoes with grip
- 1.5–2 litres of water (refill at Magic View or the top)
- A warm jacket, cap and gloves, because it gets cold at night even in May
- A rain shell
- A head torch
- Snacks, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Cash for tea stalls
Safety
- Start early so you are not on the trail after dark
- Do not go off-trail towards Indrahar Pass without a guide; that is a serious high-altitude crossing
- If the weather turns, turn back. The ridge is exposed to lightning in storms
- Leave nothing behind. Triund has a litter problem, so carry your rubbish down
If you liked Triund
Try the Kareri Lake trek, a quieter three-day walk to a glacial lake, through Gaddi shepherd villages.
Quick questions
Can a beginner do the Triund trek?
Yes. No experience is needed, but you should be able to walk uphill for 4 hours. The last 2 km of switchbacks are the hardest part.
Is camping allowed at Triund?
Camping on the ridge is regulated by the forest department, and the rules have changed over the years. Check the current rules before you go, or book with an operator who handles the permissions.
What is the Snowline after Triund?
The Snowline (Laka Got) is a further walk of about 2 km above Triund towards the Laka glacier. Snow there lasts much later into spring than on the ridge.
Written by the team at Ankush Travels, a tour and taxi company in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. We run these routes every week. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp.