Brahmatal Trek – A Walk into the Mythical Land of Uttarakhand
What is the most attractive part of a trek? Is it the trail? Is it the natural and personal challenges that you overcome? Or is it the journey in its entirety that you experience? For me, it is always the last one – the journey and the story that comes with the trail. Brahmatal trek sits at the top of my favorite trek list for this one reason mainly – the mythological stories associated with the terrain.
The name itself indicates to the myth where it is said that Lord Brahma meditated near this “Tal”, which means lake in local language. And then there is Bekal Tal, which also has its fair share of myths. When you take the journey on this popular winter trek in Uttarakhand, be prepared to immerse yourself in the dreamy landscapes and the tales from the trail offering you cozy campsite evenings with hot soup, snacks and folklores.
A Terrain that has it all
Winter Brahmatal trek is becoming increasingly popular among the thrill seekers due to multitude of reasons. One of them being the trail of this trek that takes you through silver Oak and Rhododendron forests, meadows with sudden clearing that offers you panoramic views of the Garhwal Himalayas, enchanting alpine lakes and the cherry on the top – the summit! A total package, isn’t it!
On the first day, depending on whether you start from Dehradun or Kathgodam, you have to undertake a 10+-hour long journey to reach the quaint village of Lohajung, the basecamp. This is followed by rest, acclimatization and preparation for the coming thrilling days of this snow trek.
Enchanting trails & perfect campsites
Next day, the trek starts from Lohajung and the first campsite is near Bekal Tal. The 6-kilometer-long journey takes you through the winding trails, hamlets, streams and dense forest of Oak, Cedar, Fir and Rhododendron. You will also get to rest in the sudden clearings like Begum where clear weather will offer you the towering view of Mt. Nandaghunti. Continuing on the trail once you reach Bekal Tal, crossing Gujrani on the way, you can rest-up in the campsite. Once refreshed go to Bekal Tal, soak in the beauty and glory of this large alpine lake and enjoy a colorful sunset. Camping near this lake is prohibited and there is a folklore that will entice you. Ask your trek-lead or the trek staff and enjoy the tale over hot soup while the chilly winter evening settles down. Do not forget to layer yourself with warm clothes.
Day 2 offers you another enthralling journey through dense forest, glistening snow-covered meadows, amazing vantage points until you reach the famed lake of Brahmatal. After hot and yummy breakfast, set off to the trail that starts with a steep ascent with the receding view of Bekal Tal. The ascent gradually becomes less challenging, and you enter the fairytale setting of dense, snow-covered forest. The journey becomes endearing with the views of the Oak and Rhodendron trees clad in powdery white snow all around. A true winter trek in essence, Brahmatal offers it all. Next is your chance to get mesmerized with the expansive view of the Garhwal Himalayas range with awe-inspiring presence of Mt. Nanda Ghunti and Mt. Trishul. The clearings of Telindi top and Jhandi top are the two major vantage points and nature’s photo booth for the trekkers! The snow-clad mountains dominating the view, clear blue sky above and the expansive stretch of pristine white snow where you tread, a setting that every snow-trek lover will strive to reach to!
Crossing this winter wonderland when you reach the campsite, it calls for setting down and reflect on the trails and views you have just crossed. A visit to the famed lake is a must followed by rest and refreshment.
Summit Day
Being a summit trek, Brahmatal trail will take you to the Brahmatal pass and then you trek to Daldum, the day 4 campsite. Today is the highest point of the trek, Brahmatal pass, at around 11,570ft. You will get a panoramic 360-degree-view from this pass, another highlight of this magnificent winter trek. Enjoy the visual buffet of famous mountain peaks like Trishul, Chaukhamba, Nanda Ghunti, Hathi-Ghora amid other stalwarts.
Today’s trail will offer you a decent combination of ascent, ridge walk and then gradual descent into a valley. Rest at the Daldum campsite, and get ready to descend to Lohajung next day, the last day of the trek.
Beginner-friendly winter trek
Brahmatal trek is a round-the-year trek. The trail is as beautiful in the summer as in the winter seasons, sans the snow. But in winter, once the trail gets snow-clad, the view is something different; it’s almost unreal! To experience this ethereal beauty, one needs to undertake this journey, and I can promise, you will never regret! The trail is a delight for both the novice and the seasoned trekkers, bringing moderate amount of challenges and amazing views that will be forever etched in your memory.
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