George Everest Trek Mussoorie

George Everest Trek Mussoorie was the Surveyor General of India from 1830 to 1843, under whose leadership a great part of the Great Trigonometrical Survey in India was completed. George Everest Peak near Mussoorie, the Queen of Hills , derives its name by the presence of his house that is situated 300 meters down the top of this hill.

We begin the day hike a kilometer short of the George Everest peak and make our way to the top. The under 30 minute hike brings us to the top of the hill and we can get a good view of the house. We descenddown the hill and take the course leading towards the house. After visiting the house we continue further and find our way across scattered rural settlements and towards the reserved forest area of Mussoorie, known as Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, which we enter right after crossing the road leading to Cloud's End, another popular motorable view point for visitors in Mussoorie.

After a quick descent through the forest we begin to climb back up on the opposite hill, the Benog Hill which houses a temple dedicated to goddess Jwala Devi. The route is scarcely hiked but is a wide and clearly marked trail all the way up to the top of the hill. The ridge that rises in the West to East direction provides a good view of the Mussoorie town to its East, while the Yamuna river and its encompassing valleys can be seen in the distance, slight east of north along with many rural settlements spread across the neighboring hills.

We return back along the same route up to the road head (Cloud's end road) and drive back to Dehradun via Mussoorie. Alternatively we can camp at a secluded place nearby and choose to return to Dehradun the consecutive day, early in the morning.

History of George Everest Trek Mussoorie

The George Everest trek lies in the lower Himalayas and is deeply connected with the colonial history of India. The panoramic ridges are surrounded by beautiful oak, pine and deodar forests and have been part of the routes used by shepherds and traders for centuries. 

The trek got its modern identity by Sir George Everest who had been the Surveyor General of India from 1830 to 1843. He built his residence and observatory here in Mussoorie, from where he used to direct the Great Trigonometric Survey of India. It was a big scientific attempt to map the Indian subcontinent with precision. This observatory was the hub for survey activities which included astronomical and geographic measurements also.

The interesting part is- Sir George Everest had never been to Mt. Everest, neither did he see or climb it in his life but this world's highest mountain peak was named after him in the honor by recognising his contributions to cartography and surveying. His house built in Mussoorie has been preserved as a heritage site. 

In today's time George Everest trek is one of the most popular hiking spots in Mussoorie due to its easy access and short yet pleasant trail. 

Highlights of the George Everest Trek Mussoorie

• Historical House & Observatory

The trek includes the visit to the old house of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor General of India which also included an Observatory. The house offers an important insight into colonial history. This house used to be the place to measure and study Himalayan peaks. Now it serves as a cartographic museum. Though it stands in ruins, you can feel the legacy here. For History-lovers, it's a perfect spot.

• Panoramic Himalayan Views

The trek offers a sweeping view of snow-capped Himalayan ranges like Bandarpoonch and Nanda Devi. The best thing about the Himalayan views is that here they feel closer due to openness. One clear day, snowwhite peaks look wonderful aligning with the skyline. For people who can't do long and high-altitude treks, George Everest trek is perfect to view famous Himalayan ranges. 

• Doon Valley & Aglar River Basin

On one side of the trek, you can enjoy the views of Himalayan peaks and on the other side, you can view the endless vista of Doon Valley and Aglar River basin as the trek opens up to them. This contrast of green valleys and snowcapped mountains looks stunning and makes you awe. The depth and fertility of valleys and heights and snowy layer of mountains gives a rare perspective.

• Charm of Forest Trail

The trail of George Everest trek passes through Himalayan vegetation like pine, oak and deodar forests. Air passing through these forests carries mountain aroma. Cool shade under and chirping birds above turn your journey into a calming and soothing one. Walking here reconnects you with nature in its simplest form.

• Sunset & Night Sky

George Everest peak is one the best places near Mussoorie for overnight camping and stargazing. After a fiery sunset over Doon Valley, the sky at night comes dreamy with numerous dazzling stars. One clear night, constellations shine brightly and you can easily recognise them. This is surely one of the best trekking experiences, you will never forget.

Difficulty Level of George Everest Trek Mussoorie

George Everest trek is a short and beginner-friendly trek, suitable for kids, families and solo trekkers. It is relatively an easy trek with a total trekking distance of around 3 km (1.5-2 hrs) one way. The trek starts from Hathipaon Chowk near Mussoorie and heads to the George Everest House, established at an elevation of approx 2,000 m above sea level.

The trail of George Everest trek consists of oak, pine and deodar forests and rocky sections. It includes gradual ascents and ridge sections but nothing technically challenging. 

The best thing about the George Everest trek is, you can do it with your families, kids and fit elderly people. The solo trekkers can also attempt it, no prior trekking experience and no particular guidance is needed. The trail is generally well-marked and navigation issues don't arise.

However, in monsoon, the trail can be slippery and leech-infested and in winter there can be extreme cold so the ideal time to do this trek is in the spring, summer and autumn seasons. 

Overall, the George Everest trek is an easy and short trek which gives a fulfilling Himalayan trekking experience. If you just want to start your trekking journey and are looking for an easy one near Mussoorie, Sir George Everest trek can be a good option.

Best Time to Visit the George Everest Trek Mussoorie

George Everest trek near Mussoorie is an all seasoned trek but still the best and comfortable time to do it is from March to June and from September to November. 

• March to June (Spring & Summer): Arrival of spring makes the forests alive and by the summer, the trail is full of greenery. The weather is perfect and the temperature ranges between 18°C to 26°C. Clear sky makes the Bandarpunch and Nanda Devi peaks visible. The panoramic views of Doon Valley and Aglar River basin are at their best.
• July-August (Monsoon): Heavy rainfall can make the trail slippery and prone to landslides. Thus this window is not recommended to do the George Everest trek but adventure seekers can attempt it with caution.
• September to November (Autumn): Post-monsoon freshness adds charm to the surroundings. The sky is more clear. The golden hue of autumn turns trails dreamy and perfect for photography. The temperature ranges are between 18°C to 22°C. 
• December to February (Winter): This time weather can be extremely cold (nearly subzero temperature) and trails might be covered with snow. Trekking this time generally doesn't give a comfortable experience. 

How to Reach the George Everest Trek Mussoorie

To reach George Everest trek near Mussoorie is quite easy and convenient 

as it is well connected with popular travel hubs. If you are traveling from Delhi or nearby cities, the nearest railway station is Dehradun, around 35 km away from Mussoorie. Dehradun is also the nearest airport, Jolly Grant Airport, which has regular flights from major Indian cities. 

From Dehradun, you can take a taxi, cab or local bus to Mussoorie. Once you reach Mussoorie, you need to head towards Hathipaon Road, which leads directly to the George Everest base point. Shared taxis and autos are available, but most travelers prefer hiring a private cab to save time. 

After reaching the base, the trek is around 1.5 to 2 km long and takes 45 mins to one hour to complete at an easy pace. The trail is well-marked and suitable for all-age groups. It has a gentle climb and offers beautiful views of the Doon Valley on one side and the snow peaks of the Himalayas on the other. 

The trek ends at the historic George Everest House, which was once the residence and laboratory of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor General of India. From here, you can enjoy wide panoramic views of Mussoorie town, the Aglar River valley and the surrounding hills.