Overview
The Deoriatal–Chandrashila trek links two of the most visited short walks in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. It starts at Sari village, climbs to the lake at Deoriatal, crosses forest and meadow to Chopta, and then climbs through Tungnath, one of the highest Shiva temples in the world, to the summit of Chandrashila at about 3,700 m. On clear days the summit looks across Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Trisul and other Garhwal peaks.
Many operators sell only the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila section as a one-to-two-day trek. The full Deoriatal circuit adds a day on foot through Rohini Bugyal and is the version we describe here.
Why do this trek?
- Short and varied. Lake, forest, meadow and a summit within about three days on foot.
- A clear summit. The Chandrashila climb is one of the more reliable sunrise summits for first-time Himalayan trekkers.
- Good logistics. Sari and Chopta are on roads, and the route can be shortened or extended.
- Several seasons. Rhododendron bloom in spring, clear skies in autumn, and snow in winter.
Who is it for?
First-time Himalayan trekkers and families with children who can handle a steady climb. Published guides rate it Easy to Moderate. The final 1.5 km above Tungnath is steeper and rockier and is the hardest part.
Who should think twice?
Trekkers who want a remote wilderness trek: Tungnath and Chopta see heavy visitor traffic, especially at weekends and during the temple season. Winter ascents need experience and a guide.
How we rate the difficulty
We rate Deoriatal–Chandrashila Easy to Moderate using our difficulty method.
- Altitude: the summit is about 3,700 m; most nights are spent below 2,900 m.
- Effort: the summit day is about 9 to 10 km round trip from Chopta, with roughly 1,000 m of climbing.
- Terrain: a well-made path and steps in places, with a rocky final section.
- Cold and snow: December to February is snow-covered and cold; the trail is far milder in spring and autumn.
- Remoteness: Chopta has basic lodging and shops, so help is relatively close compared with remote treks.
Altitude and acclimatisation
We rate AMS risk low. Sleeping altitudes stay below about 2,900 m, and the summit is a day trip. See our altitude sickness guide.
Why we do not draw an elevation profile
Published altitudes disagree. Chandrashila is quoted from about 3,690 m to 4,000 m, Chopta from about 2,680 to 2,850 m, and Tungnath at either 3,500 m or 3,680 m. We use about 3,700 m for the summit because most sources fall within 1 percent of that, and we leave the elevation profile out until the camp altitudes are confirmed.
Plan alongside other tools
Use Find My Trek or compare treks. Related: Kedarkantha and trekking in Uttarakhand. Seasonal pages: April and October.