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A high meadow with conifer forest below a jagged snow peak, an illustrative AI-generated image

Kedarkantha Trek

Easy–Moderate · 6 days · 3,810 m · Dec–Apr

Difficulty
Easy–Moderate
Maximum altitude
3,810 m (12,500 ft)
Duration
6 days (4 on trail)
Best months
Dec–Apr
Snow
Dec–Mar
Base camp
Kedarkantha Base Camp (about 3,430 m)
Road head
Sankri
AMS risk
Moderate
Permit
Yes
Mobile network
None on trail

Compare this trek with others

Trail status Status not verified

We have not been able to confirm the current access status from an official source. Check with the Forest Department or a local operator close to your dates.

Overview

Kedarkantha is a 3,810 m (12,500 ft) summit in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, climbed from the village of Sankri inside Govind National Park (also known as Govind Pashu Vihar). It is best known as a winter snow trek: four days on foot through forest, past the pond at Juda ka Talab and up to an open base camp, followed by a pre-dawn push to the top.

It is commonly chosen as a first Himalayan trek, and for good reason: the daily distances are short and no technical climbing is involved. But winter snow, sub-zero nights and consecutive days of walking mean that basic fitness and proper cold-weather kit are still essential.

Why do this trek?

  • Snow without technical climbing. Snow is commonly present on the route from December to March, deepest in January and February, and the trail needs no ropes or mountaineering skills.
  • Short walking days. The two ascent days cover about 4 km and 2.5 to 4 km, and summit day is the longest at roughly 6 to 8 km round trip. The effort is concentrated in the first climb and the summit push.
  • A long season. Outside the snow months the trail is largely green from April to June, and October and November bring clear skies and cold nights.
  • A real summit. The top is a broad open ridge that rewards the early start with a wide view over the surrounding high Himalaya.

Who is it for?

Kedarkantha suits first-time Himalayan trekkers who can walk 5 to 6 km comfortably and are willing to spend nights in a tent below freezing, and more experienced trekkers who want a short winter trek close to a road head. Operators regularly take school-age children and families, but the cold and the pre-dawn summit start make it a decision to be made with the specific child in mind.

Who should think twice?

Anyone who is unwell, has a heart or respiratory condition, or is unused to sustained cold should talk to a doctor before booking. It is also a poor choice for people who dislike very early starts, since the summit attempt typically begins between 2 and 3:30 AM, and for anyone expecting guaranteed snow: depth varies from year to year, and early or late in the season the upper trail can be bare.

How we rate the difficulty

We rate Kedarkantha Easy–Moderate using our difficulty method. The reasoning:

  • Altitude: the summit is 3,810 m and the highest camp about 3,430 m, which is moderate for a Himalayan trek.
  • Steepest effort: the first trekking day climbs roughly 800 m in about 4 km from Sankri to Juda ka Talab. This is the stage most trekkers find hardest.
  • Summit day: the climb from base camp is about 380 m, but it starts in the dark in sub-zero temperatures, takes 6 to 8 hours round trip, and is followed by a descent of more than 1,000 m to Hargaon.
  • Terrain and exposure: forest paths, snow slopes and some ice. Technical difficulty is low, but traction on snow matters.
  • Remoteness: there is no mobile network on the trail, and the nearest big city is Dehradun, a long day’s drive away.
  • Cold: reported night temperatures at base camp in the snow season run from about −10°C to −16°C, and lower in cold spells.

Together these keep it well below the Moderate grade of longer pass-crossing treks, but the cold and the summit day mean it is not a casual walk.

Fitness and preparation

Operators typically suggest being able to jog about 4 km in around 25 minutes and to walk 5 to 6 km comfortably, with stamina and leg-strength training started four to six weeks ahead. Stair climbing and downhill-friendly leg work help for the long descent on summit day.

Altitude and acclimatisation

We rate the AMS risk moderate rather than low. Sleeping altitude rises by about 650 m between Juda ka Talab and base camp, which is more than the 300 to 500 m a day commonly advised above 3,000 m, and standard itineraries have no dedicated acclimatisation day. Serious altitude illness is uncommon at this height, but headache, nausea and poor sleep are plausible. Read our altitude sickness guide, drink steadily, tell your guide early about symptoms, and descend if they worsen.

Landscape and wildlife

The route climbs through oak and conifer forest, then opens into snow-covered clearings and a broad base camp slope. The park’s official profile lists black bear, common leopard and serow among the animals found in Govind National Park; they are rarely seen by trekkers and should not be counted on.

Route variations

Most itineraries go Sankri, Juda ka Talab, Kedarkantha base camp, summit, then down to Hargaon and back to Sankri. Some retrace the outbound route, and some use alternative campsites such as Akroti Thach or Pukhrola. Published distances for individual stages differ by 1 to 2 km between sources, so we show the stage lengths that sources agree on and give ranges for the rest.

What to pack

Pack for cold nights rather than cold days. Operators commonly recommend a sleeping bag rated to at least −10°C, layered insulation, waterproof outer layers, warm gloves and a hat, and sturdy trekking boots. Carry your own water bottle. Check what traction and tents your operator supplies before you buy anything.

Responsible trekking

Carry all rubbish back to Sankri, follow forest rules on fires, and stay with your group when the guide holds you for weather. Operators report that alcohol and smoking are not allowed on the trek.

Plan alongside other tools

Weighing it against other options? Try Find My Trek or compare treks side by side. For the season, see our guides to December, January and February treks, or browse trekking in Uttarakhand.

Itinerary

  1. Day 01

    Dehradun to Sankri (drive)

    • Sleep at 1,960 m

    A long road journey of roughly 200 km via Mussoorie, Purola, Mori and Naitwar, 8 to 10 hours. Sankri sits at roughly 1,950 to 1,970 m depending on the source; we plot about 1,960 m.

  2. Day 02

    Sankri to Juda ka Talab

    • 4 km
    • Sleep at 2,775 m

    The steepest sustained climb of the trek: about 4 km and roughly 800 m of ascent through forest to the camp beside the Juda ka Talab pond.

  3. Day 03

    Juda ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp

    • Sleep at 3,430 m

    A shorter day (sources give 2.5 to 4 km) climbing to an open snow-covered base camp, the coldest night of the trek.

  4. Day 04

    Summit and descent to Hargaon

    • Sleep at 2,713 m
    • High point 3,810 m

    Start in the dark between 2 and 3:30 AM for the summit at 3,810 m (6 to 8 km round trip, 6 to 8 hours), then continue down about 1,100 m to camp at Hargaon, 2,713 m. Some itineraries descend by a different route.

  5. Day 05

    Hargaon to Sankri

    • Sleep at 1,960 m

    A short descent of roughly 4 to 6 km, 2 to 3 hours, ending back in Sankri. Some operators compress the return drive into this afternoon instead of day 6.

  6. Day 06

    Sankri to Dehradun (drive)

    The road journey back, 8 to 10 hours. Direct buses from Sankri to Dehradun leave early in the morning according to published guides, and most operators include the transfer. Plan onward travel for the evening of day 6 or the next day.

Elevation profile

Elevation profileOvernight altitude by day: Day 1 1,960 metres, Day 2 2,775 metres, Day 3 3,430 metres, Day 4 2,713 metres (reaching 3,810 metres during the day), Day 5 1,960 metres. Highest point 3,810 metres on day 4.1,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,000Day 1Day 2Day 33,810 m high pointDay 4Day 5Metres above sea level
View as table
DayAltitude
11,960 m
22,775 m
33,430 m
42,713 m
51,960 m

Month by month

  • January Best time · SnowDeepest snow and the coldest nights of the year. Base-camp nights are reported at about −10°C to −16°C or lower.
  • February Best time · SnowHeavy snow persists with very cold nights. A full white landscape; trails can be icy early in the morning.
  • March Best time · SnowSnow remains on the upper trail and at base camp, with milder days and generally fewer trekkers than in the peak winter months.
  • April Best timeA transition month. Patches of snow may remain on the higher sections while lower slopes turn green.
  • May PossibleLargely snow-free and green. Days are milder, though nights at base camp can still dip below freezing.
  • June PossibleSnow-free and green ahead of the monsoon. Expect warmer days and check for early rain.
  • July Not recommendedMonsoon. Heavy rain and leeches are reported at lower elevations. Not recommended.
  • August Not recommendedMonsoon. Heavy rain and leeches are reported at lower elevations. Not recommended.
  • September Not recommendedMonsoon tail. Sources differ on when conditions settle, with some reporting heavy rain until mid-September and others clear skies from September. Check recent conditions before committing.
  • October PossibleClear skies and very cold nights. Little or no snow is expected on the route.
  • November PossibleClear skies and cold nights, with light snow possible on the upper trail later in the month.
  • December Best time · SnowThe snow season begins. Deep snow is more likely from late December, and nights at base camp are well below freezing.

How to reach

Nearest major city
Dehradun
Nearest airport
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Nearest railway station
Dehradun Railway Station
Road head
Sankri

The road journey from Dehradun to Sankri is roughly 200 km (some itineraries quote up to about 240 km) and takes 8 to 10 hours via Mussoorie, Purola, Mori and Naitwar. Shared buses and private taxis run to Sankri, and most operators include the transfer. Sankri is the last village with guesthouses and shops before the trail.

Facilities and connectivity

Stay
Shared tents on the trail; basic guesthouses and homestays in Sankri
Mobile network
None on the trail
Nearest ATM
Purola is the last ATM commonly reported on the route; Sankri has very limited banking, so carry cash from Dehradun

Permits and rules

Kedarkantha lies inside Govind National Park, and a forest entry permit is required for every trekker. Operators usually arrange it. Independent trekkers obtain it at the forest check post in Sankri with original government photo ID. Fees and validity are quoted differently by different sources and we have not been able to confirm current figures with the Forest Department, so confirm them with your operator or the Sankri check post before you travel.

Safety and emergencies

Nights are well below freezing in the snow season, and the summit attempt typically starts between 2 and 3:30 AM in the dark. Stay with your guide, wait at camp if the guide pauses the group for weather, and report headache or nausea early. There is no mobile network on the trail.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kedarkantha good for beginners?

It is commonly chosen as a first Himalayan trek, and no earlier trekking experience is required. Winter snow, sub-zero nights and four consecutive trekking days still mean you need basic fitness and proper cold-weather kit.

How difficult is the Kedarkantha trek?

We rate it Easy–Moderate. The hardest parts are the roughly 800 m climb from Sankri to Juda ka Talab and the pre-dawn summit day, which ends with a descent of more than 1,000 m.

What is the best time to do Kedarkantha?

December to March for snow, with the deepest cover usually in January and February. April to June is largely green and snow-free, though patches can linger on higher sections in April, October and November bring clear skies and cold nights, and July to mid-September is monsoon and best avoided.

How many days does the Kedarkantha trek take?

There are four trekking days from Sankri. Most operators run it as six days from Dehradun to Dehradun, and some compress it to five.

Do I need a permit for Kedarkantha?

Yes. The trail is inside Govind National Park and a forest permit is required. Operators normally arrange it. Confirm current fees with your operator or the Sankri check post, as sources quote them differently.

Is there mobile network on the Kedarkantha trail?

Not reliably. Network is reported to fade before or around Sankri, and there is none on the trail. A weak signal is sometimes reported at the summit.

Is the Kedarkantha trail open right now?

We have not been able to confirm the current access status from an official source, so we do not show it as open. Check with your operator and the Forest Department close to your dates.

Sources and verification

Facts checked against sources
28 October 2026
Editorial review
28 October 2026
Trail status checked
Not checked: status not verified

Where sources disagree, we say so in the text rather than choosing a number. These dates cover facts and wording only; they are not a statement that the trail is currently open.

Questions about this trek?

Send your dates and questions. We will reply by email with planning notes on conditions, permits and access. This is an enquiry, not a booking, and we do not list departures or prices here.

Conditions, permits and road access change. Check current details with official sources and local operators close to your dates.