Rudranath Trek

Being the toughest and longest trail among the Panch Kedars, the Rudranath trek is a very difficult and challenging path. The Rudranath temple is treasured as the stunning and peaceful pilgrimage destination located in the Garhwal Himalayas in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Nature is the embodiment of Lord Shiva’s presence in this religiously enchanting place. 

The deep ravines and the breathtaking views of the diversified beauty of nature make the mountaintop more fascinating. This ultimate Himalayan summit offers the trekkers the experience of the spellbound beauty of this spiritual place. This quickly attracts the trekkers and travellers from across the globe, being the toughest one to reach among the Panch Kedar temples. 

Spiritual Significance of Rudranath Temple 

The Rudranath temple was constructed a few centuries ago, and it’s steep, mystic, and full of enchanting tales and legends, which makes it quite mesmerising. An interesting history is related to the aftermath of the Kurukshetra war when the Pandavas acquired victory but were remorseful with the results of the war. They felt apologetic and hence sought the Lord Shiva for their forgiveness. 

As an act of penance and redemption, they visited Kashi and pleaded for their sins of killing. Meanwhile, they were eluded by Lord Shiva, who soon after morphed into a bull and plunged into the Earth. Shiva left behind five sacred body parts that landed in different places. At Rudranath, His face appeared as the Jyotirlinga where He forgave the Pandavas out of their devotion. 

Highlights of Rudranath Trek

The glory of Rudranath is added by the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti. The Rudranath trekking is a trip through the beautiful dense rhododendron dwarf forests of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. The pilgrims delight in the wild grassy meadows and thick woodlands, cross pristine streams, and traverse alpine pastures that beckon with their beauty of serene ridges and spiritual significance. 

The celestial Rudranath temple is naturally made of rockstone and located near numerous sacred water tanks, including Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund, Manas Kund, etc. You can indulge in the blissful morning aarti and the sparkling Vaitarini River, known as “Water of Salvation.” It is believed that the dead souls pass from here to the other world. 

Quick Trek Facts

Located at 3,600 m/11,800 ft above sea level, the adventurous Garhwal trek distance lies approximately 30 km from the Sagar village route. But before embarking on this sacred journey, you must know the challenges to be faced by the altitude, elevation rise, and distance. The hiking gets difficult as the paths are often steep, rocky, and bumpy, so it's highly recommended to acclimatize properly. 

Generally, the trekkers and travelers need to be physically fit, as they have to face the thin air, and it increases the risk of difficulties associated with rising heights. The Rudranath trek height elevation makes the hiking path very exhausting physically and presents high-altitude illnesses such as low oxygen levels, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and severe symptoms like pulmonary and cerebral edema. 

Best Time to Visit The Rudranath Trek

From the summer and early autumn months, it is considered to be the ideal time to visit this pilgrimage path due to the following reasons: 

One can visit the Rudranath easily during these months, as its weather is quite temperate. This cool to moderately warm temperature makes the challenging trek more practicable. 

During this weather, the roads and trekking paths are easily reachable as the snow has melted sufficiently. This type of slushy path is way more reachable than the winter months’ trail. 

This time is perfect to give a profound spiritual experience to the trekkers. Because of the ongoing festival season, many rituals and festive celebrations are held there that add to the spirituality. 

How to reach Rudranath Trek (by road, rail, or air)

If one has to visit the Rudranath trek, the convenience of flights, buses, and trains is easily accessible. Here is a briefing for understanding other travel options.-

• By air: Many flights are available from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun to reach Rudranath, which is approx. 260 km away. You can reach Dehradun by taking daily flights, and after arriving there, you will get taxis or buses to reach the temple.

• By train: The nearest railway station is the Rishikesh Railway Station, which is approx. 240 km away. You can arrive by booking any direct or connecting trains from your location to Dehradun and then to Rishikesh. After reaching here, you will get taxis or buses to Gopeshwar, and then you can start the trek.

• By bus: The most economical option to reach Rudranath is by bus. First of all, the devotees reach Delhi, and from ISBT Delhi, you will easily get buses to Rishikesh. Afterwards, you can reach one of the stoppages to Rudranath by booking buses or taxis.

Trek route and major stopovers (Sagar, Mandal, Lyuti Bugyal, Panar Bugyal)

To reach Rudranath Temple, there are two different trek routes, and each trek offers different landscapes and scenic views that one can’t resist. The exhilarating Rudranath Mahadev trek journey passes through scenic Bugyals like Panar Bugyal and Lyuti Bugyal that offer vibrant wildflowers and greenery.

The Rudranath trek short itinerary route begins from either of the three routes -

Gopeshwar or its nearby places, then reaches its first stop at Sagar village. After that, you can start trekking to Lyuti Bugyal, Panar Bugyal, Pitradhar, and then Rudranath.

From Dehradun/Rishikesh, you can visit Mandal village, then Anasuya temple, and afterwards trek to Hansa Bugyal and Naola Pass, then reach Rudranath.

Commenced from Sagar village, then Helang-Urgam village, then trekked to Kalpeshwar-Dumak-Panar Bugyal, then Rudranath.