Even an easy trek appears difficult when you tread upon its path. Nonethless, calling any trek easy makes it comparatively easier to accomplish them.
During my bachelor’s days, I remember preparing an itinerary for Dharamsala and McLeodganj, since I was passionate about starting my own travel agency. As far as I recall, I included the Triund Trek in the itinerary back then. However, after seven years of writing and accomplishing the Triund trek, I feel there is a wide gap between what I perceived then and what it actually is. Isn’t it true that every trek is unique, with its own beauty and challenges? Even before the trek, we were misled by Google Maps, which showed the distance to the halfway point and led many to call it an ‘easy’ trek. But I feel they worked in our favour, as they kept us refuelling.
But wait, it’s not the only starting point for the Triund Trek. You can also consider the alternatives. Here are some key points to consider before starting the trek to have a scenic view of the Dhauladhar range.
Starting Points: Bhagsu Nath Temple (9 km), Dharmkot (7.5 km) and Gallu Devi (6.5 km) approximately in McLeod Ganj. Even if you start at Bhagsu or Dharmkot, you’ll cross through Gallu Devi. Cabs/Taxis available till Gallu Devi.
Gears: Quality shoes having grip, Water Bottles (At least a litre when you start), Camping utilities (if you want to stay for a night).
Trekking Tips: 1. Start from Gallu Devi if you do not trek or engage in physical activities regularly 2. Minimise your luggage if you aren’t going to spend a night (a bottle, a towel and some snacks are enough) 3. Eat moderately/healthy before starting the trek 4. Carry a light jacket if you’re trekking in winter or early morning 5. Don’t hesitate to take a rest if you feel tired or short of breath. Don’t push yourself beyond limits. 6. Wear light and comfortable clothes 7. Keep speakers to make your journey enjoyable. Since the network will be unavailable during most of the trip, keep some downloads.
Duration: 4-5 hours to ascend, depending on your pace and the point from where you start. 2.5-3 hours to descend. If you’re planning to return the same day, start early morning. However, if you wanna camp there, start in the afternoon.
When to Visit: Avoid extreme weather; otherwise, you’re good to go.
Caution: Don’t start in the dark, as the trail is rocky, narrow or steep at several points, and there is no source of light.
Guide: No guide required, as the trail is clearly marked and follows a single path. It can be done solo, but a group is preferred.
Eateries: At Gallu Devi and after that, at half a distance, and at the end. Prices of any items, including water bottles, will double or triple. Don’t throw your bottles. You can get it refilled for Rs. 20/- a litre.
Charges: 100/- Trek fees and 100/- for the stick, both sides if you take it.
We started our trek from Bhagsu since we stayed there. Till Gallu Devi, our trek consisted mainly of hopping wide stairs. It was more than a warm-up; hence, till the time we reached there, we were already tired. Hence, I suggest starting with Gallu Devi if you’re a beginner or don’t regularly engage in physical activities on a regular basis. I feel we already explored Dharamsala before the trek, covering around 15k steps, which already prepared us for this exhausting journey, though insufficiently.
You’ll be going through these rocky, uneven paths most of the time during your journey, which will eventually become steep after you complete half the distance. Hence, it becomes important to take measured steps. Also, don’t rest for too long, as your body will lose the momentum it has built up over time. It is also not recommended to gallop a large amount of water. Just keep your throat wet and keep moving.
Whenever you come across a crossroads, do look into nearby rocks or something. You’ll find a hint in the form of an arrow. And more importantly, do follow the advice on these signboards. I followed, and here is the view I got.
These views will keep fuelling throughout the journey. Also, can you guess– What will fuel you more than these views? You may want to check out the image below.
It’s the snow. I feel it’s the driving force toward the mountain. I am stating this because 90 per cent of the trekkers I met on my way down asked whether there was snow on the way or at the top. Luckily, I could see the patches of snow when I visited. The feeling of holding them is one of a kind. But be careful while stepping on it. It could be slippery.
There are two eateries when you’re through half the way of this trek. You can halt here for a little longer, eat and drink to prepare yourself for the rest of the journey. The price will be inflated, like twice or thrice, since taking stuff till here isn’t a cakewalk. Usually, a mule is used for this purpose. You’ll come across one more such stall before you reach the top.
Triund Trek is easy in the sense that you don’t need to find a trail. You just need to traverse the marked trail. The rest depends on your stamina, physique, and spirit. The idea is to be slow but steady, halting when the going gets difficult. We started around 9:30 AM from Bhagsu and reached the top around 1:15 PM. We enjoyed the view and the cool air patting our faces for about an hour, then started back around 2:15 PM and reached Gallu Devi around 4:45 PM.
Take your blessings from Lord Shiva and head back to your destination. I could also see some camps at the top. So if you’re planning to stay there for the night and enjoy sunrise or sunset, carry proper gear and winter clothes. The time we reached the hotel, we were dead tired. We rested for a while and headed to McLeodganj market for shopping and dinner. And guess what, the step count for the day turned out to be 37K, which is equivalent to around 22 KM. I don’t remember ever covering such a distance in a day. Also, I am unsure when I will be able to surpass this one. Perhaps on the next trek.
P.S. Thanks a lot, Rahul, for being a good company, and Keshavanand for keeping the spirits high through his trekking experiences. Also, thank you, Akanksha, for the initial and helpful instructions regarding the trek.
Also, guys, please do not litter and bring your waste back and dispose of it properly. Remember, what you give to nature will come back to you in one way or another!
Let me know if you’ve more queries!
©Shashank
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