THE TRIUND TREK
The Triund Trek is a
must for almost any visitor to Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj. It's one of the most
popular places in Himachal Pradesh, it is on most tourists' bucket list.
"You have been to
Dharamshala many times, but have you never done the Triund trek?" I
remember my friend being surprised to find out that there was nothing. "I
think it's too mainstream," I countered.
But this time, in September
2020, when he spent a week in Dharamkot (aka Indian Mini-Israel), he decided to
do so. I decided to do it in as short a time as possible to make it more
exciting and not feel like chasing a crowd
"How long does the
Triund trek take?" I asked the manager of the hostel where I was staying.
“Most of the time we can do it in 4-5 hours,” he replied. "What's the shortest
way to do it?" he asked.
"1 hour and 30
minutes"!
That was it! I accepted
the challenge!!
Next thing I knew, we (My siblings and I) were trying to
complete the triund hike in less than 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Not only is it one of
the most popular treks in Himachal Pradesh, it also ranks as one of the easiest
treks in the Himalayas. It is picturesque with stunning views of the
neighboring Kangra Valley (connecting Kangra and Dharamshala) on one side and
the snow-capped Dhaulada Mountains on the other.
Along the way, hikers
will come across a series of cliffs that are ideal for Instagram-worthy spots.
Triund Trek is perfect
for those looking for a hassle-free taste of trekking in the Himalayas. No need
to hire a guide or find a trekking buddy. do it yourself the hikes are also
well marked.
It is possible to travel
all the way from Delhi or Chandigarh to reach it for a weekend.
The road to Triund is
short (about 9 km from Dharamkot and 11 km from Mcleod Ganj but fairly steep.
Along the way, hikers will come across rhododendron and oak trees, and there
are several Maggie points to purchase drinks.
Triund Trek is perfect
for those looking for a hassle-free taste of trekking in the Himalayas. No need
to hire a guide or find a trekking buddy. do it yourself the hikes are also
well marked.
How Long Does the Trek Take
For most tourists, it
takes about 4 hours to reach Triund Top (from the town of Dharamkot, add
another 30 minutes from McLeod to Dharamkot).
However, it took 1 hour
and 30 minutes non-stop from Dharamkot. Also, I never ran during the hike, just
walked a little faster than most tourists.
A local guide can do the
Tri-Wound trek in under 50 minutes. During my trip, I met someone who claimed
they did it in 45 minutes. The person was also a local guide.
Yes, it will take 4-5
hours considering you are not an avid hiker and you will be doing some photo
shoots. The sooner you start, the sooner you reach the summit, the more time
you have to enjoy the trail and get back in time.
Technically, the return
trip is almost half the total time it takes to reach the summit and trust me it's worth spending this much energy to get the view up there.
Here's a picture of our group enjoying the beautiful view of hilltop:
What To Expect on The Way to The Top
There are plenty of
cliffs and beautiful scenery that are worthy to be uploaded on Social Media
Platforms. Part of the trek also passes through pine forests, the cliche
landscape of the Himachal. Rhododendrons are also in full bloom from spring to
summer.
Here's a picture of me near the Triund camping site:
In short, the Triund
Trek can be described as "starting in a Buddhist town, trekking through
lush forests, and arriving at the end of a tree-lined road with a large opening
on the ridge".
The sunset is another
reason to visit Triund. Due to the sunset, many hikers also plan to camp
overnight on the ridge. However, those who choose to return will also have the
opportunity to watch the sunset at several points along the way (although it
may be missed at the summit). I'll be back a little sooner).
It is also worth seeing Dharamkot on the way back, after sunset.
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