19 Brahmatal Trek Photos: Why You Must Do Brahmatal Trek in Winter

The Brahmatal Trek is one of the best winter treks in Uttarakhand and the only one that goes to an alpine lake. While most of the alpine lakes, like the ones in Kashmir, are inaccessible due to snow accumulation in the winter, the trek to Brahmatal allows you to not only reach an alpine lake but also camp near it.

Winter is the best time for Brahmatal trek. Snow blankets the trails, which snake through deep forest sections, climb to the ridge at Jhandi Top and finally settle on the frozen lakes. This is something that trekkers don’t see often on treks.  

This photo story will give you a glimpse:

Brahmatal Trek: Narnia-Like Oak and Rhododendron Forest

The forest on the Brahmatal or Bekaltal trek lays itself out in such a way that you can see a long distance between the trees. This is what makes the forest feel cosy. It does not overpower you with its presence, yet it is all-enveloping. When this forest gets covered in a layer of snow, you get to see what we see here:

Here’s what Dhaval Jajal, senior trek leader at Indiahikes and now filmmaker, says about one of his favourite sections on the Brahma Trek: “While many people talk about Gujreni, my favourite forest section begins after we descend from Jhandi top and start trekking to Khorurai.”

“As we are almost at the end of the trek, trekkers are more relaxed and open to taking in the delights of the forests. And that makes it an enticing walk through the rhododendron and oak forest,” says Dhaval.

Brahmatal Trek: Camping in Snow

Camping on snow is another big highlight of Brahmatal with Indiahikes. You start by camping at Gujreni in the oak and rhododendron forest. “I have done lots of treks and have loved lots of camps, but if you ask me about Brahmatal, then I think it has some of the better campsites,” says Sandhya UC, co-founder of Indiahikes.

Also read: 7 Expert Camping Tips for Winter Treks

After Gujreni, it’s a short trek to the next campsite en route to the Brahmatal peak—Tilandi. 

“Tilandi is right on top of a ridge. It is one of the windiest campsites I have come across,” says Dhaval Jajal, our filmmaker. 

“On windy days, when the wind picks up speed, it just sweeps up snow from the ground. You have to hold on to your tents. It feels like you are on an expedition. It's a rare adventure to do this on a trek. But you get it here, and that makes Brahmatal special and thrilling,” he adds.

From the Brahmatal summit at 12,250 feet, you descend to Brahmatal Lake before reaching the Brahmatal campsite. This is the last campsite of the trek.

Brahmatal peak views: Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti

The Brahmatal trek has rare mountain views. Mt. Trishul, which dominates the landscape, is no ordinary mountain. The west face of Mt. Trishul that we see is a sheer flank that rises above 7,000 metres. Not many know, but Mt. Trishul was the first 7,000-metre mountain to be climbed by mankind. Mt. Trishul, along with its sister Mt. Nanda Ghunti, tower over the Brahmatal. 

Such close-up views of a 7,000-metre summit are a huge reason to do the trek. 

Also read: Different Shades of Brahmatal

Brahmatal summit height is 12,250 ft (3,734 m). As soon as you climb above the treeline on Day 2, the big mountains are right there in front of you. They stay with you for the rest of the trek, drawing closer and closer.

Bonus: Mountain views in the golden hour

The winter season is the best time to visit Brahmatal Trek, as this season is known for extended golden hours. “It’s breathtaking to see Mt. Trishul light up in the evening during that time,” says Dhaval Jajal, Senior Trek Leader and Filmmaker at Indiahikes.  

You get to witness a brilliant alpenglow. “It’s because in winter the haze is minimal, almost non-existent. The clouds also settle low due to the cold. This is why mountain views are incredibly sharp, especially during the mornings and evenings,” Dhaval explains.

Thrilling Ridge Walk to Brahmatal Summit

The Brahmatal Trek altitude is approximately 12250 feet. The ridge walk of Brahmatal is a big highlight of the trek. It is a two-hour-long ridge trek with the grandest views of Trishul, Nanda Gunti, Mrigthuni, Maiktoli and the mountains of the Garhwal-Kumaon range.

Not many know this, but from the ridge, you can also trace most of the famed Roopkund Trek route!

Brahmatal Trek Frozen Lakes

Frozen lakes are rare. On the Brahmatal trek, you have two frozen lakes within two days. Seeing the lakes, walking around them and if possible, on them, is a treat that trekkers rarely get.

The scene changes dramatically when you are in thick winters, after mid-January. This is the Brahmatal trek's best time. Notice how everything has turned white and frozen!

You come to the Brahmatal Lake after descending from the Brahmatal top. Although the two frozen lakes have only a difference of 500 feet in altitude, the experience of being around them is starkly different.

Best Time for Brahmatal Trek: Sunsets and Stargazing

The Brahmatal Trek is also known for its beautiful sunsets and stargazing experiences. And the Tilandi campsite is the hotspot for them. It’s so because this campsite sits outside the treeline, at a high point on the ridge.

Also read: How Star Gazing Led Me To Take Up A Career As A Trek Leader

“The big mountains are at your eye level or higher towards the east. In the west, you have the valley and smaller mountains rising in silhouette. So when the sun sets towards the valley, the rays of the setting sun fall directly on the big mountains,” explains Venkat Ganesh, Senior Trainer at Indiahikes, who loves all these Brahmatal trek details.

But it’s not just the big mountains that change colour. The entire campsite, covered in snow, also changes colours along with the sunset.

Given its location, Tilandi is also a great campsite for stargazing, which is why Brahmatal is always a go-to trek for our special stargazing treks. 

Given its location, Tilandi is also a great campsite for stargazing.

Checkout the Brahmatal trek cost and other details here. 

Visit our upcoming treks page and book your Brahmatal trek package now to witness the trek’s magical transformation during the winter. 

Do you have any special memories of the Brahmatal trek? Share your story with us in the comments below.