Kedarkantha is NOT just a winter trek

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Kedarkantha is NOT just a winter trek

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By Arjun Majumdar

I have been doing Kedarkantha trek for 10 years now. And I have done it in all seasons - in summer, winter, autumn, spring. And I have done it multiple times because we run a lot of programs on the Kedarkantha trail. 

What I really like about Kedarkantha is that it is more beautiful in the spring and summer and autumn than it is in winter. I know Kedarkantha is seen as a winter trek, and that's where most of the crowd is. 

But very frankly speaking, the real beauty of the Kedarkantha trek is in these other seasons.

Trekkers ascending to Pukhrola campsite in the midst of winter. Photo by Hayat Amiree

I want to tell you why. 

In these seasons the colours of the trek come out. The Kedarkantha trek is actually known for its colours, especially the colours of its forest. It has one the most beautiful forests that I have witnessed. I have been through so may forests at this altitude, but the forest of Kedarkantha have captivated me the most. That's becuse the colours keep changing. 

You'll see yellow, green, orange, blue, all these in a short span of time. In these multi level of forest that we have, it is mesmerising to walk through the various levels until you hit the tree line and you see the end of the forest. 

The variety in the forest -- coniferous trees, the rhododendrons, the oaks, chestnuts, walnuts, maple trees, it goes on. That's why the forest is so colourful. 

Just for the forest you must do this trek in the other seasons. 

What you'll really like and which is absolutely not there in other treks are the clearings. Clearings are one of the most beautiful part of any trek. It's an open grassy meadow right in the middle of a forest. So you have the brilliant combination of lush meadows surrounded by deep dark forests. 

This contrast of colours, especially with the light hitting on it during sunrise or sunset is something which is magical. You don't see it on most treks.

The autumn colours of Kedarkantha. Photo by Arghya Biswas

In kedarkantha you move from one clearing to another till you reach the end of the tree line. 

What's even better is that most of our campsites are in these clearings. 

Kedarkantha is one of the best treks of our country. Don't see it as a winter trek. See it as one of the best treks you'll ever do even in spring, summer or autumn. Don't miss out on this aspect of Kedarkantha which many people are already missing out.

Arjun Majumdar

Founder, CEO, Indiahikes

About the author

An entrepreneur by profession and a trekker by passion, Arjun started Indiahikes in 2008 with a vision to explore and document new trekking trails. He wanted to solve problems in the mountains and implement sustainable ways of trekking. His biggest dream was and still is that Everyone Must Trek, because Trekking Transforms Lives. Today, Indiahikes takes over 20,000 trekkers in the Himalayas every year and has changed the face of trekking in India.

Arjun is deeply respected for his expertise on trekking trails and entrepreneurship. He has written extensively for Discover India magazine and is a TedX speaker. He frequently talks at institutions about his journey, but his favourite topic is always the impact of trekking on the human mind, body and spirit.

Watch his TEDx talks here -
TEDx Sayajigunj University on how Trekking Impacts The Mind, Body and Spirit
TEDx IIM Bangalore on 3 Unusual Lessons In Entrepreneurship
TEDx IIM Sambalpur on Why Children Must Trek