GHT Trek In Uttarakhand For Beginners

The Great Himalayan Trail (GHT) is a very long trekking route. These trails have diversity. You can connect different regions with land variations. It runs from one end of India’s northern mountains to the other. It connects every state from Arunachal Pradesh to Kashmir. Now it depends on you which regions you want to cover in circuit.

The GHT trek for Beginners, there is a good stretch in Uttarakhand. This route connects several iconic treks into one long journey. It is like walking through a mountain story. You start in snow forests, cross high ridges, touch cold lakes, and end in huge alpine meadows.

You can start from Kedarkantha and slowly move through connected trails: Phulara Ridge, Saru Tal, Fachukandi Pass, and down via Hanuman Chatti to Dodital, Darwa Top, and finally end at Dayara Bugyal.

This is how that journey works. This trail connects some of the best treks of Uttarakhand and makes a good starting point for Uttarakhand trekking.

1. Kedarkantha - The Trek Start (12,500 ft / 3,810 m)

You start your GHT from Sankri. It is a small village gateway with many treks. It is just a 20 km trek and easy. Perfect for starting and to get warm up. From top of Kedarkantha you will see many snow covered mountains such as Swaragarohini, Bandarpunchh, and Black peak and views of Har ki dun valley. From kedarkantha trek you can access phulara ridge trek. It is very easy trek in Uttarakhand

2. Phulara Ridge - (Around 12,150 ft / 3,700 m)

From the same region, your path moves toward Phulara Ridge. This is one of the few ridge walks in India. It is a natural next step from Kedarkantha. You move from the forest to the open sky.

Here, you walk along a long ridge. You get 180 degree mountain views on both sides. Kedarkantha is behind you. The Dhauladhar ranges, Swaragarohini Massif, black peak and Bandarpounch. From there, you will reach Pushtara camp or Saru tal camp. From Kedarkantha, it is around a 17 to 18 km trek.

3. Saru Tal - (13,780 ft / 4,200 m)

From Phulara, the trail goes toward Saru Tal. This is a high-altitude lake hidden deep in the alpine zone. The climb gets steeper, but the forest feels untouched. The campsites are peaceful.

When you reach the lake, it sits like a mirror among snow peaks. It is calm, cold, and glows blue in sunlight. This is a place where you understand why people call the Himalayas sacred.

4. Fachukandi Pass - (14,290 ft / 4,356 m)

After Saru Tal, the journey continues toward Fachukandi Pass. This is a lesser known trail, but it is rewarding. It is like walking through three treks at once. Forests, meadows, and high ridges all blend together.

The pass is around 14,000 feet. From there, you see wide Himalayan valleys stretching forever. This part gives you a true GHT feeling. It is remote, raw, and full of new things to see. Few people walk here.

5. Dodital and Darwa Top - (10,100 ft / 3,078 m)

From Fachukandi, you go down toward Hanuman Chatti. This is a quiet base village that opens the door to another beautiful trail. This is the Dodital and Darwa Top trek.

The trail winds through forests of oak and rhododendron. You reach Dodital Lake. It is a still, emerald green lake surrounded by silence. A short, steep climb takes you to Darwa Top. The view opens to a huge stretch of the Greater Himalayas. This is a perfect place to stop and look back on how far you have walked.

6. Dayara Bugyal – (12,450 ft / 3,795 m)

The last part of this beginner friendly GHT route links from Darwa Top to Dayara Bugyal. You walk through Barsu or Raithal to get there.

Dayara is special. This is a big, open meadow. Its colors change with the seasons. In summer, it's green with flowers. In winter, it's white and quiet with snow. You can see the Bandarpoonch and Gangotri peaks. And you see layers of blue mountains that fade far off. It's a peaceful way to finish your trip in the Himalayas. You feel open, calm, and quietly proud.

Why This Route Is Good for Uttarakhand Trekking

• The altitude rises slowly. This gives you time to adjust and build stamina.
• You experience nearly every Himalayan landscape: forest, ridge, lake, pass, and meadow.
• Trails are well connected. They are less crowded than popular commercial routes.
• The journey teaches patience. Each climb earns you a new kind of beauty.