Best time to do the Kedarkantha Trek

When Is the Best Time to Do the Kedarkantha Trek?

Is Kedarkantha only a winter trek?
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about this beautiful trek. And it’s time we clear that up.

The Kedarkantha trek isn’t just a snow adventure. This trek transforms dramatically with each season. You can do it almost all year round — except for the rainy months of July and August, when it’s best to avoid the trek.

So, when should you go? Let’s break it down season by season. Each one offers something completely unique.

Watch this quick video to get a good overview of the trek. But don’t stop there — the article dives much deeper. I’d definitely recommend giving it a read. Towards the end, you’ll also find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the trek

Winter: December to February

The Kedarkantha trek  is very popular as a winter trek. Indiahikes explored the trek way back in 2011 and put it out as one of the first winter treks to do in our country. Ever since, this trek has had a legacy of being a winter trek. And it's no surprise—Kedarkantha is one of the most beautiful winter treks.

If you want that nice snow experience—where the forest trails are full of snow, the summit climb has deep snow and makes for a real adventure—then winter is your time.

But keep in mind, temperatures drop very low. It could go to minus 5 or even minus 8 at night. There will be a lot of snow on the trail. So it becomes a notch tougher than other seasons. You have to work on your fitness and carry at least 5 warm layers.

Spring: March and April

Now this is springtime—and I want to let you in on a secret.

Many trekkers go to Kedarkantha in winter to experience snow. But even in March and April, you get to see almost as much snow as in winter. This is because a lot of snow accumulates over the past 2-3 months, and you still see it on your climb to Kedarkantha.

But there’s a big bonus here.

When you’re trekking in March and April, it’s springtime. So when you’re going through the forests, the grasslands and to the summit climb, there’s a lot of greenery around you. You’ll hear birds chirping. You’ll probably see birds too. And you’ll see a lovely mix of snow and greenery. Especially in the clearings, both snow and green blend into each other.

So it’s a really nice time to go on the trek. You also get the bonus of experiencing snow at slightly warmer temperatures. It’s not going to be as cold as winter.

If you want to see the best of both worlds—time your trek in March and April.

Summer: May and June

This is when the Kedarkantha trek is at its greenest best.

We don’t think we’ve seen Kedarkantha as green in any other season. And this is also when it’s a really nice time to take your family and children on the trek. The trek becomes a notch easier. It’s really nice and warm during the day.

The summit climb is a thrill when you’re climbing. There’s not much snow, of course, but it’s a great climb. You can see the ridge you’re walking on. You can see the views around you.

So it’s a great time to do the trek—especially with your families.

Autumn: Mid-September to November

This is when, especially in September, the Kedarkantha trek is extremely lush. The monsoon has just come and gone. You’ll see lots of greenery on the trail.

And almost every day in this season, you’ll see changing colours on the trek. It’s autumn, right? So the leaves start to shed. The entire trail is full of crunchy leaves you can hear as you walk on them.

Further up, the grasslands slowly turn from green to yellow to orange. Every day you’ll see a change in colour.

And the summit climb? This is the best part.

Once all the monsoon clouds are gone, the sky is squeaky clean. You actually see all the views at their clearest and best. In other seasons, there’s a bit of haze when you look around. In autumn, you’ll see the blue sky and all those mountains of the Garhwal Himalayas lined up around you.

If you’re a photographer—or if you want extremely clear weather—time your trek in autumn.

So, What’s the Verdict?

Each season makes it feel like a completely new trek.

• Winter gives you adventure in deep snow.
• Spring brings that magical snow-and-green combo.
• Summer opens up easy, family-friendly trekking.

Autumn stuns with colour, solitude, and crisp views.

So, when should you go?

Very frankly, I’d say go in all the seasons.

It’s like doing many different treks, although it’s the same trail.

At Indiahikes, we believe if you’ve done a trek and loved it, you should be able to repeat it. Many people ask us why we let you do that for free. We can’t explain it either. We just feel if you love a trek enough to return, you shouldn’t have to pay again.

So I hope you make use of that and see Kedarkantha in all its seasons.

Some Frequently asked questions about the Kedarkantha trek

1. What is the total distance of the Kedarkantha trek?
   Kedarkantha Trek is an 18 km long trek that spans over 4 days (6 if you include the travel days from Dehradun and back). On the first day, you trek for about 5 km for about 4 hours. The second day is shorter where you trek for about 2 km over 2 hours. The third day is the longest day of the trek as you trek to the summit and come back to the next campsite. On this day, you trek about 6 km over 6-7 hours.  On the last day, you trek for 5-6 km again over 5 hours.
2. What is the height of Kedarkantha peak?
   Kedarkantha trek reaches a maximum altitude/height of 12500 ft.  Depending on the starting point, there are three altitudes you start the trek from:
   Sankri – 6,455 ft
   Kotgaon – 6,520 ft
   Gaichawan Gaon – 5,600 ft
   From the starting point, the trek climbs a height/altitude of more or less 6,000 ft during the length.  You steadily climb up the first three days of the trek till the summit and climb down on the last two days.  Please check the short/detailed itinerary to understand the trek in more detail.
3. What is the Kedarkantha trek difficulty level?
   The Kedarkantha trek is considered easy to moderate, making it ideal for beginners and families. The summit climb is the most challenging part due to the incline.
4. What is the starting point of the Kedarkantha trek?
   You can start the Kedarkantha trek from multiple places. Sankri is the most common one. If you want fresher trail and less crowds, start from either Kotgaon or Gaichawan Gaon.
5. Is the Kedarkantha trek suitable for first-timers?
   Yes, the Kedarkantha trek is one of the best Himalayan treks for beginners. It’s short, scenic, and well-marked, making it beginner-friendly.