Brahmataal trek
An all-season trail, which also doubles up as one of India's finest winter treks!
One of the finest winter treks, BrahmaTaal offers magnificent views of Mt. Trishul & Mt. Nanda Ghunti.
This is one of the few classic treks that can be done in January & February.
Most of the trek is on snow, which makes it even more exhilarating.
It’s a divine experience camping beside the frozen shores of Bekaltal. And then the ascent to a near-frozen Brahmatal is a feast for the eyes & the heart.
Then, when you get to the open, snow covered meadows near Brahmatal, the full grandeur of the trek hits you.
Stretched across the sky are the big mountains of Garhwal, and everywhere around you are the white, undulating snow fields of Brahmatal.
March and April offer breathtaking, unmatched views from the summit.
In May and June, when it is peak trekking season, the smoky haze over the mountains makes the views disappointing. However, in winter, which often extends to March, mountain views are worth dying for! More often than not, you see clear blue skies that stretch across the horizon.
From the Brahmatal top, you see the mighty Himalayan ranges in every direction. Summits that rise above 7,000 meters are common and nowhere else in our country can you see these big mountains at such close quarters. Just to witness this magic, one must trek between mid December and March.
It is impossible to peel your eyes away from Mt. Nanda Ghunti and Mt. Trishul once you are face-to-face with them on Brahmatal top.
Brief Itinerary
Itineraries at Storytrails are different, bearing in mind that hiking for us is a medium to tell stories of the land.
Hop on!
Day 0
Overnight train to Haridwar/Kathgodam
Day 1
Cab/Traveller picks you from Hardwar/Kathgodam railway station.
Drive down to Lohajung (220 odd kms), the base-amp for this trek.
Day 2
Trek from Lohajung to Bekaltal:
Altitude: 9,600 ft (2,900 m)
Time taken: 5 hours, 5.8 kms
Trek gradient: Moderate, gradually ascending through forests on well defined trails.
The trek begins from Lohajung central market (chowk).
As you climb higher, on your left, you will be able to see the Kali Valley, where Kali and Pindari Rivers join.
At approx 8,500 ft, you will find a 10 metre bridge (known as Link-gaad), which will help you cross the stream. After around two hours, you will reach Begum, where you can rest for some time. This place provides splendid views of Navali Bugyal and Bagdi Bugyal.
After 10-15 minutes of walking from Begum, you will find another stream. From here, an hour’s walk will bring you to Gujrani stream. From here, it is approximately 75 minutes walk to Bekaltal.
This lake is a beauty amidst oak forests. This is your campsite :)
Day 3
Bekaltal to Brahmatal:
Altitude: 10,440 ft (3,182 m)
Time taken: 5-6 hours, 7 kms
Trek gradient: Moderate.
Initial steep climb for an hour brings you to a meadow where you ascend gently, followed by a gradual descent to Brahmatal.
The trail starts out of the campsite and climbs steeply into the Oak and Rhododendron forest. After an hour of ascent, the trail opens out to a meadow. The gently ascending meadow walk brings you to the highest point of the day at 11,500 ft.
From here, it is a very gradual descent to Brahmatal.
The Brahmatal campsite at 10,351 ft is 500 meters away from the lake.
Day 4
Brahmatal to Brahmatal Peak to Tilbudi to Wan:
Altitude: 12,250 ft (3,734 m) to 11,240 ft (3,426 m)
Time taken: 5-6 hours, 8 km
Trek gradient: Moderate; slow zigzag walks while ascending.
A grand panorama of some of the highest mountains in India awaits you at the Brahmatal top.
Today is going to be the most visually fascinating day of the entire trek. It begins with a 40 minute climb through oak and rhododendron forests. This brings you above the tree line and out in the open meadows.
As you reach the summit, an entire panorama of mountains opens up.
You have Chaukhambha, Mandir, Mana, Nilgiri, Neelkanth, Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Maitoli and mountains stretching all the way to the Panchachuli range.
After spending some time at the top, begin your descent towards Tilbudi.
The descent is along a ridge which is surrounded by alpine grass and birch trees. The well made path has been put in place by the Forest department. The vegetation is completely different from what you saw on the first two days of the trek.
After half an hour of walking on this ridge, you reach a platform like area.
From here, you get 180 degree views of Himalayan ranges.
Prominent mountains that you see include Bhagirathi, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Avalanche Peak, Mana, Kamet, Balakun, Trishul and Nanada Ghunti.
The vegetation changes on this trail – you walk through alpine grasses and soon enter a birch forest. Trek through dense rhododendron and oak forests on this stretch. The forest eventually opens on to another flat ground, which is Tilbudi.
From the Tilbudi campsite, you can clearly see the entire trail of the Roopkund trek, including Ali Bugyal, Asia’s largest meadow!
But the cherry on the cake is the view at sunset. The entire range of mountains you saw earlier at the top turns reddish as the sun goes down!
From Tilbudi, you finally desend to Wan.
The trail goes through thick oak and rhododendron forests once again.
Drive down to Lohajung from Wan.
Rest, eat, make merry!
Day 5
Early breakfast.
And drive back to Kathgodam/Haridwar from Lohajung.
Get lost in memories, forever!❤️
Gallery
Some of our pics from this trail.
Each pic here tells a story of it's own!