Devban Trek

An offbeat weekend destination tucked inside a forest

Trek starts in Dehradun and ends in Chakrata

Duration
2 Days
Trek Altitude
9,350 feet
Destination
Uttarakhand
Trek Distance
15 km
Group Size
12
Best Time
All year round

Devban Trek overview:

Devban or Deoban trek is one of the lesser known hiking destinations near Dehradun city in Uttarakhand. It is part of a reserved forest in the Kanasar forest range bordering Himachal Pradesh. It has a beautiful forest rest house located at an altitude of 2,865 m built in 1963. The nearest road head is Chakrata, 16 km away. This is one of the most fantastic weekend treks that can be completed by families, children, and beginners. It takes trekkers through the dense forests of the region. The forests are typically broadleaved Oak, coniferous Pine, Fir, Devdhar or Deodar as well thorny shrubs; especially near the rocky outcrops. The name of this forest comes from the "Devdaru" or "Deodar" tree. "Devdaru" is a Sanskrit word that means “divine wood.” In Hindi, "Dev" means deity and "Ban" means forest, so together, it translates to “divine forest”.

Chakrata is an old British cantonment town near this trek. The old stone houses with towering chimneys take you back to the British era. Most of Chakrata is inaccessible due to army restrictions. Geologically this region is part of the Shiwaliks and is mostly made of loose sedimentary and limestone rocks. In some places quartz rock bands are visible. Geologists have found a few limestone caves in the lower reaches of the hills. The locals speak the Jaunsari language and many Gujjar huts can be found along the slopes of the hills.

There is a motorable road all the way up to the forest rest house but in winters the snow makes the place inaccessible by road. This gives an opportunity to trekkers to walk along the old forest trail through the dense oak and deodar forests of this area. Chakrata is at an altitude of 2200 m and the trekking route till Devban climbs up to 3000 m.

Deoban Trek Itinerary

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  • The day starts from Dehradun. We follow the route to Vikasnagar via Indian Military Academy, Forest Research Institute and Institute of Petroleum. Next on the way is the industrial and educational town of Selaqui. This is the main road to Saharanpur/Shimla/Vikasnagar/Paonta Sahib and hence a lot of traffic is seen on the road. We turn right from Herbertpur Chowk towards Vikasnagar. The road now ascends towards Kalsi which is the major forest division in this region. Plenty of plantations of teak and eucalyptus can be seen along the roadside. Kalsi is a very ancient town and is mentioned in ancient texts as well. A very famous Ashokan Rock Edict is found here. It was discovered by a Britisher in 1895 and is now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The language on the edict is Pali and the script is Brahmi.We cross the Yamuna at Kalsi and reach Chakrata after 2 hours via the village of Sahiya. We have breakfast at one of the dhabas in chakrata.

    The trek starts from the forest chowki 4 km after Chakrata. However we would recommend walking all the way from Chakrata. The road winds among dense devdhar trees with babblers, nut-thatches, thrushes and tits to give you company. There is a small museum near the forest chowki. The views of the higher Himalayas along the way cannot be ignored. The sun rays weave through the upright trees creating a beautiful geometric pattern on the road.

    The trek now moves from the tar road to a bridle path which the locals often use. The gradient is comfortable upto the small stop way of Badrikhal. This place has a dhaba run by a Nepali family and a few houses scattered around. Badrikhal is located along the saddle of the ridge which overlooks the watershed of the famous Tiger falls below Chakrata. The village of Mohna just above the falls is visible from here. The route continues till the army rock climbing institute. This camp is aptly named spider colony. It is headed by a very able army man of Tibetan origin who has climbed Mt Everest twice apart from conquering Ama Dablam and Mt Lhotse. Photography is strictly prohibited here. The trek continues along the tar road for a while. The views along the Chakrata-Tiuni road are unending. This road leads to Kanasar (30 km from Chakrata) which is a majestic open field set among large devdhar trees. In fact Kanasar has the largest diameter (girth) devdhar tree in Asia. Although no rivers are visible in the valleys, the intersecting spurs of the hills make for a beautiful vista. The campsite for the night is located amidst tall fir and pine trees and is protected from the chilling wind. A starry sky wishes you good night.

The next day we start our trek post breakfast and walk towards the FRH of Devban. Packed lunch is provided for the journey. We take a detour from the main road and walk along the forest trail. The main road follows a winding path till a Y-point with one end going to the Devban FRH and the other continuing for a further 24km upto the skiing slopes of Mundali. Mundali has one of the best FRH in all of Uttarakhand. We follow the forest trail which was used before the tar road was built. The trail rises upto the ridge and then curves behind the vertical rock patch. The forests here are very dense and you get a feeling of being watched all the way. Since very little sunlight reaches here most of the snow will still be 1-2 feet deep. The trail ends right at the main entrance of the FRH. The meadows in front of the FRH are beautiful and the green fence gives it a postcard feel. After having tea at the FRH we proceed to Vyas shikhar which is the highest point on the ridge. At a height of 3005m it gives a mesmerizing view of the Himalayan vista. The peaks of Kandariya Mahadev, Goshupishu, Koshni, Swargarohini, Ranglana, Banderpoonch, Shrikantha, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Dunagiri, Nandadevi and Trishul are visible from here. There is a stone marker indicating all the peaks seen from here. After finishing our packed lunch we head back to our campsite. We pack our bags and proceed back to Chakrata. The rest of the day can be spent sight-seeing around Chakrata. The famous Tiger falls can be visited and the Chintan-haran Shiv temple can be paid a visit. The main bazaar of Chakrata is called the Sadar bazaar and is a small place. There are small viewpoints built all around chakrata for tourists to sit and soak in the views. The army has done a wonderful job to keep the town clean and the construction regulated. Most of the official government buildings continue to be housed in old British colonial architecture style bungalows. The most prominent among them is the police Thana. We leave Chakrata and head for Dehradun.

FAQ's about Devban Trek

Winter is a wonderful time to experience snow on the Deoban trek.

The Deoban trek needs a moderate level of fitness. You should feel at ease walking for a few hours on bumpy ground and have the energy to walk about 5 to 6 kilometers each day.

Although the trek isn’t very hard, getting ready is really important for staying safe. Make sure you’re fit and have the right gear. This way, you can have a fun and safe trek!

The Deoban trek is well-regarded for its accessibility, falling within the easy to moderate difficulty range, which renders it an ideal choice for both novice trekkers and those with some prior hiking experience.

This trek is open to people of different ages, from active 7-year-olds to lively folks in their 80s. But it depends on how fit you feel. It’s suggested that you should be able to walk 4 to 5 kilometers in 2 hours on a flat path without much trouble.

The Deoban trek is located in the enchanting Uttarakhand region of India, cradled amidst the lush hills of the Himalayas. More precisely, it’s found within the Chakrata Forest Division in the Dehradun district, providing a tranquil retreat into the heart of nature.

Here are some highlights of Deoban Trek-

  • Enchanting Forest Paths: Lose yourself in the lush greenery of Deoban’s thick coniferous woods, where majestic deodar trees stand tall like watchful guardians, their fragrant scent wafting through the air.
  • Cultural Connections: During your journey, you’ll meet friendly locals in the Jaunsar region, known for their vibrant traditions. Their warm welcomes and insightful tales provide a deeper understanding of this culturally rich area, enriching your trekking experience.
  • Quiet Campsites: Each night, you’ll find calm spots in nature. The soft sounds of nature will help you sleep well under the starry sky. These basic but nice campsites make your trek special.
  • Amazing Views of the Himalayas: You’ll get to see the tall, snow-covered mountains of the Himalayas, looking really magnificent. When you reach the top at Vyas Point, you’ll be treated to a wide view of the Himalayan mountains.
  • Personal Satisfaction: Doing the Deoban trek is like going on a big, positive change in yourself. Overcoming tough parts and bonding with nature and other trekkers brings long-lasting happiness and makes you grow inside.

Even though the Deoban trek is generally considered easy to moderate, it might be difficult or challenging if the below points are not taken care of-

  • Physical stamina: This is crucial for any trek that you have good or normal stamina. Without it, the trek can be tough. Regular exercise and proper rest are essential to ensure you’re up for the challenge.
  • Weather Variability: The Himalayan weather can be unpredictable. Without proper gear, sudden shifts in temperature, rain, or snowfall can pose challenges. Pack versatile clothing to stay comfortable in any condition.
  • Basic Amenities: While campsites offer basic amenities, they may be limited. To ensure comfort, pack necessities like toiletries, a first-aid kit, and any personal medications for a hassle-free trekking experience.

The Deoban trek enjoys a pleasant climate year-round, though temperatures vary by season:

Summer (April to June): In this season temperature varies from 20°C to 25°C in the daytime and 15°C to 20°C at night.

Monsoon (July to August): The Deoban trek offers pleasant daytime temperatures ranging between 18°C to 22°C, with nights remaining relatively mild at around 15°C. However, it’s crucial to be equipped for sporadic bouts of heavy rainfall during this season.

Autumn (September to November): Embarking on the Deoban trek in Autumn promises ideal weather conditions for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy daytime temperatures ranging from a comfortable 10°C to 15°C, while the nights might get cooler at around 0°C.

Winter (December to February): In winter days are chilly, around 5°C to 10°C, and nights can get really cold, below freezing at 0°C. Snowfall often turns the trek into a magical wonderland, making the trails more thrilling. So, be ready for an exciting and challenging experience!

Spring (March to May): Spring is a wonderful time to go on the Deoban trek. During this season, the daytime weather slowly gets warmer, starting around 10°C and reaching a comfortable 20°C. Nights are mild, at about 5°C. The whole area gets even more beautiful with wildflowers blooming everywhere, making the trek even more enjoyable.

Inclusion
  1. Transport support on day 1 and day 2 as per the itinerary.
  2. Guide and cook fees.
  3. Rent for camping equipment.
  4. Forest entry charges.
  5. Porter and mule support to carry camping equipment. Please note that personal luggage can be carried by mules and/or porters on chargeable basis.
  6. All veg meals starting from day 1 breakfast to day 2 lunch.
  7. Tented accommodation throughout the trek. Possible guest house accommodation based on availability.
Exclusions
  1. Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc
  2. Any transport support during the trek apart from what is included above
  3. Any cost or services not mentioned in the Inclusions
  4. Accommodation apart from the trek
  5. Adventure Insurance
  6. Cost arising due to unforeseen incidents like bad weather, medical evacuation, roadblocks etc
  7. Porter and mule support to carry personal Luggage can be arranged at an additional cost of INR 350 per bag per day (weighing up to 12 kg)
  8. lunch box for packed lunch/breakfast. To avoid using polythenes and Aluminium foils. Keeping the Himalayas clean is our own responsibility. Reduce the use of Plastic when you are in the abode of the Sacred Himalaya