Triund trek is one of the most popular treks to go over a weekend. It is one of the easiest Himalayan treks to do on your own.
Triund is a beautiful and popular trekking destination in the Dhauladhar Range of the Himalayas, located near the town of McLeod Ganj, Nestled in the arms of the Himalayas, Triund is a trekker's paradise and a slice of heaven on Earth. This trek offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows, and a chance to experience the serene beauty of the Himalayan region.
There are two trails to Triund one is short but steep and the second one is easy. The steep climb is well-compensated by refreshing walks amongst rhododendron and oak trees. There are also various songbirds in the forests along the trail which make it a birdwatcher’s delight and give mesmerising memories.
Considering it's an easy trek and with the effortless accessibility from Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj, there are a large number of trekkers who go on this trek. The town of McLeod Ganj (also known as Little Lhasa) also provides a grand opportunity to experience the vibrant Tibetan culture.
Here is everything you want to know before going to the Triund Trek:-
- Best Time To Visit Triund Trek
- How to reach Triund (trail information)
- Triund Trek Difficulty Level
- Things to Pack
- Fitness level required
Best Time To Visit Triund Trek
It's recommended to start the trek as early as possible. It can be accessed by two main routes. Here are the two routes to Triund:
1. McLeod Ganj to Triund via Dharamkot:Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Start your journey in McLeod Ganj, a bustling town known for its Tibetan culture and the residence of the Dalai Lama.
Walk to Dharamkot, a small village situated just above McLeod Ganj. This initial part of the trek is a gentle ascent and a great way to acclimatize to the altitude.
From Dharamkot, follow the well-marked trail that leads you through dense forests, rocky terrain, and picturesque landscapes.
You'll pass by Magic View Café, a popular pit stop along the way, offering stunning views of the Kangra Valley.
After about 4-5 hours of hiking, you'll finally reach Triund, which serves as your base camp.
2. McLeod Ganj to Triund via Bhagsu Nag:
Difficulty Level: Similar to the Dharamkot route
This route starts in McLeod Ganj as well but follows a slightly different path:
Begin your trek in McLeod Ganj.
Head towards Bhagsu Nag, a small village famous for its Bhagsu Waterfall.
From Bhagsu Nag, follow the trail that takes you to Triund.
The route merges with the Dharamkot route near Magic View Café, and from there, you'll continue to Triund.
Both routes offer beautiful scenery and breathtaking views, and the choice between them often depends on personal preference and whether you'd like to visit Bhagsu Nag and its waterfall or not. Whichever route you choose, Triund's panoramic views and serene landscapes make the trek a memorable experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Get to the water tank near the government primary school at Dharamkot. Next to the water tank, there is a trail that climbs up through a forest. Walk up along this trail for about half an hour to get to the Galu temple clearing. There’s a small tea shop here, just below the shrine.
From here, one trail goes southwest into the forest to the village of Naddi. Another forest trail goes north-west to the stream that descends from Laka. The main trail to Triund continues straight past the small shrine.
Tip: You can start your trek from Mcleod Ganj via Bhagsu Nag and come back via Dharamkot. This will let you experience both ways of serene beauty. One can take a cab from Dharamkot to Mcleod Ganj after descending and reaching the base camp if you have your vehicle parked there.
Things to pack
If you are going to camp on your own at Triund, then ensure you are carrying a tent with you or you can book a night stay in the camp near the summit. along with the tent, have a sleeping bag that withstands 0 degrees, a liner for hygiene, and also light foam mat.
If you are not camping on the Triund trek, here is the list of things to take with you.
Bare necessities
- Trekking shoes: The trek distance is long and you will have to walk for long distances which requires you to have comfortable trekking shoes.
- Backpack (40-60 litres): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Rain cover for the backpack is essential.
Clothes
- Two trek pants: One pair of pants should suffice for this trek. But you can carry one spare pair in case the first one gets wet. Denim or jeans and shorts are not suitable for trekking.
- Two collared t-shirts: Carry light, full-sleeved T-shirts that prevent sunburns on the neck and arms. A common mistake that trekkers make is not changing their T-shirts often enough. Regardless of how cold it is, the body tends to sweat a lot. Trekkers who don’t change to fresh clothes after reaching the campsite fall ill due to wet clothes and are often unable to complete their trek.
- Thermals (Optional): Carry thermals to wear at night because the temperature drops and can get chilly at the top.
Accessories
- Sunglasses: Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness.
- Sun cap: The sun is more harsh at high altitudes so wear a cap to protect your face and neck.
- Hand gloves: One pair of fleece or woollen hand gloves. One pair of waterproof/resistant, windproof gloves is also a good choice to have.
- Balaclava: You may use woollen scarves instead as well.
- Socks (1 pair): Apart from one extra sports sock, take a pair of woollen socks for the night.
- Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory
- Trekking pole: Watch this video to understand why you need a trekking pole.
Others
- Toiletries: Sunscreen, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitiser. Do not carry wet wipes since these are not biodegradable. Use toilet paper instead.
- Sanitary waste: Make sure you bring your used sanitary napkins back to the city with you. Carry a zip lock bag to put used napkins. Bring this ziplock bag back with you to the city and do not dispose of sanitary napkins in the mountains.
- Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug, and a lunch box.
- Two water bottles: 1 litre each
- Plastic covers: While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalise things and carry a few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.
Mandatory Personal Medical Kit
- Crocin- 10 tablets
- Avomine (optional, in case of motion sickness)- 1 Strip
- Combiflam- Half Strip
- Muscle relaxant - Half Strip
- Digene- Half Strip
- Avil- 1 strip
- ORS- 6 packs
- Knee Cap (If you are prone to a knee injury)
In case you’re just starting with a fitness routine, start slow and increase your pace every day in the following manner:
- Target daily to complete a brisk walk of 5 km in 50 minutes when you begin.
- Slowly increase your pace by walking 5 km, 3 times a week.
- As you become more comfortable, introduce jogging into your routine.
- Progressively increase the distance you jog in a workout until you can complete 5 km in 45 minutes.
If you prefer cycling over running, target covering 12 km in 60 minutes when you begin.
- Progressively increase your pace to cover 15 km in one hour.
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