Shepherd Trail Gaddi Trek

The Shepherd Trail or Gaddi Trek is a very famous and one of the oldest routes. It is a high-altitude trekking route in Himachal Pradesh. This trek is very different from other high-altitude treks. The Gaddi shepherds still use this trail on the seasonal migration. The Shepherd Trail connects the beautiful Kangra Valley to the remote village of Bara Bhangal. The trekkers can experience beautiful alpine meadows, passes, and streams. Not many trekkers are aware of this trek due to its challenging difficulty level. Gaddi Trek offers a glimpse into the centuries-old traditions of the Gaddi tribe.

The Gaddi Trek is rated as a difficult trek due to its high altitude and harsh conditions. The weather is also very unpredictable. The trekker should be mentally strong for this trek. It is a 13-day trek in the lap of the Himalayas. During seasonal migration, you can see herds of hundreds of sheep. You can experience the rare but beautiful culture of the Gaddi tribe. You will be walking on a trail that has been used by nomads for centuries. The trail offers dense forests and beautiful alpine meadows. A smaller number of trekkers know about the Shepherd Trail trek which makes it crowdless and exquisite. 

History of Shepherd Trail Gaddi Trek

Unlike other high-altitude treks, the Gaddi Trek is not curated for any adventure of tourism. It was always a trial for the Gaddi tribe. These shepherds of Himachal Pradesh use this trail for moving their herd from one place to another. This is not just a trek for adventure but also a path to the livelihood of the shepherds. 

This trek has existed even before trekking became a thing. The route is very difficult and long. It became a path due to the necessities. The shepherds migrate from the lower regions of the Himalayas to the high-altitude burials for grazing their herds. From the spring season, the snow starts melting and the high-altitude pastures start becoming greener. It is a kind of vertical migration where the Gaddi tribe moves to alpine meadows in summer and walks back to Kangra and other lower-elevation areas. 

Gaddi Trek is not a recreational trek and covers arduous migration. The Gaddi tribe still carries food, utensils, and kids to manage the flocks. They don’t need Google Maps or guides as they move to the path with their knowledge of stars, winds, and nature. You may see stone shrines as prayer marks on the trial. Trekkers see the stone shrines or threads as markings whereas the shepherds see them as the prayers for safety on the trail.

Highlights of Shepherd Trail Gaddi Trek

Spend your days in Gaddi way!

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. Forget your city life for a few days and walk into the cultural journey. You might feel like a time capsule. In summer, you will see shepherds walking their herds to the high altitude for fodder. Talk to the Gaddi families and experience the centuries-old culture. Witness the nomadic mountain civilization where they still use handmade woolen gear and protect themselves from extreme weather conditions and wild animals. 

Enjoy the beauty of Bara Bhangal village.

You will start your journey from Bara Bhangal village. It is a very remote place which you can only visit in the summer. The houses are centuries old with beautiful stone roofs. There are no shops, no mobile network yet a beautiful lifestyle.

Cross Kalihani Pass and Thamsar Pass

You can experience challenging terrains on the Gaddi Trek. This trail covers two very high Himalayan passes, Thamsar Pass and Kalihani Pass. You will get a beautiful panoramic view of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal range. 

Stunning night view

All the campsites like Mahri, Plachak, Deo Ka Goh, etc are very beautiful. Some campsites are beside the glacial streams. Sometimes, you will sleep under the starry night. All you will hear is the sound of sheep bells.

The Difficulty level of the Shepherd Trail Gaddi Trek

The Shepherd Trail is one of the most challenging treks in Himachal Pradesh. You have to walk for about 70-90 km on very steep terrains. The length of the trek increases the difficulty level of the Shepherd Trail.

High altitude

The high altitude of the trail can be a big challenge for the trekkers. The altitude of the passes is above 4000 m which can cause AMS. If you are on the route, you have to cross both passes, there is no other route. 

Very steep ascents and descents

The terrain of the trek makes ascents and descents very difficult. Some of the passes can be very inclined. The ice patches and snow bridges aid the difficulty level of the trek. Descents can be more dangerous on unstable gravel.

Unpredictable weather

You should prepare yourself for rain, hail, and fog. If you are trekking in the early season then you can also expect snowfall. Heavy rain can make the trails slippery. Landslides and overflowing streams can make your trek more difficult.

Physically and mentally challenging

It is a very long trek and you will walk for 7-8 hours daily. This can be very challenging. The backpack will be heavier as you will be carrying lots of trekking gear. You should be mentally prepared for any kind of challenges in the trek like landslides, dangerous gorges, or even dead ends.  

Best Time To Visit Shepherd Trail Gaddi Trek

You can visit Shepherd Trail from mid-June to mid-September. However, the scenery will be different every month. You will pass beautiful landscapes and can witness huge sheep herds.

Shepherd Trail in Mid-June to July

This is the early season for Gaddi Trek. You will see fresh greenery in the meadows and the blooming of wildflowers. You can find snow on the high passes. In this season, the shepherds usually start their migration to high altitudes. But the snow crossing can be very slippery. Some of the patches can be very dangerous. Trekkers can also get hypothermia in this season.

Shepherd Trail from August to September

Mid-August to September is the peak time to visit Gaddi Trek. You will barely see any snow and the passes will be fully open. The valleys will be lush green and you will see crystal clear rivers. It is the peak grazing season of Gaddi nomads. But you may find landslides or monsoon rains in the lower sections of the trail. 

Shepherd Trail in Late September to mid-October

In this season, the shepherds start descending to the lower areas. You can find clear blue skies and golden landscapes. This is the best time if you want less crowd and minimal risk of rains and landslides. But the nights can be very cold and you may witness snowfall on the high passes.

How To Reach Shepherd Trail Gaddi Trek?

You can start your Shepherd Trail from lots of different routes. But most trekkers start their trek either from Barot or from Billing.

Route 1: Barot To Manali

• Delhi to Jogindar Nagar/ Palampur

You can take an overnight bus from Delhi to Jogindar Nagar. It will take around 12 hours. You can also opt for Palampur but the route is a bit longer. 

• Jogindar Nagar/ Palampur to Barot

You will easily find shared taxis for Barot from both locations. Few bus options are also available. 

• Barot To Manali

Now you will start your trek from Barot to Manali via Thamsar Pass and Bara Bhangal Pass.

• Manali to Delhi

Lots of bus services are available from Manali to Delhi. You can find both government and private bus services. 

Route 2: Billing to Manali

• Delhi to Billing

Look for any overnight bus from Delhi to Billing. Some taxi services are also available for Billing. You can also book a train to Pathankot and then take a bus to Billing.

• Billing to Manali

Start your trek from Billing and you will trek via Plachak and Bara Bhangal to Manali.

• Manali to Delhi

HPTDC provides lots of bus services for the Manali-Delhi route. You can book any government or private bus from Manali to Delhi.