Phulara Ridge Trek

Phulara Ridge Trek was a trek that we explored in 2018. 

I had done nine legendary treks before the Phulara Ridge. I call them legendary because they are some of the most loved treks of India. 

Yet, my experience on the Phulara Ridge was so very unique that it left me wondering why I had not done this trek earlier. This unique experience is what has made me want this trek to appear on the trekking map of our country.

First, it is the ridge. We have ridges on many of our treks, but none are like the Phulara ridge where you walk for almost 3 hours connecting one mountain top with another, on a long undulating ridge walk. Snow-capped mountains walk along with you. 

If that was not enough, as the ground slopes away, tiny flowers in myriad colours pop out under your feet. On the side of the slopes where the earth meets the treeline, you have dwarf rhododendrons hugging the sides. 

All along the knife-edge are bursts of mesmerising long meadows spanning the entire forest cover on both sides.

On the second day, you get to the Bhoj Gadi meadows, a long clearing where shepherds have discovered a paradise for grazing their sheep. It is almost a perfect spot to pitch your tents. The evening when I was there, I witnessed the most glorious sunset as the sun dipped behind the Kedarkantha summit. I walked to the ridge to see the evening glows light up the entire valley below in colours hard to imagine. The vantage point of the Bhoj Gadi meadows is unique.

The next day, right after you descend from the Phulara ridge, you get to the Pushtara meadows. If I have been effusive about the Bhoj Gadi, then I am not sure what to say about Pushtara. Almost like a green carpet being rolled out, you have folds and folds of carpeted green hills spread out as far as your eyes can see. I wish I could have spent my entire life just sitting there, so splendid are the settings. 

In addition to the rolling grasslands, I also had a carpet of wildflowers in an equal stretch. But flowers or no flowers, Pushtara is a locale that will stay in your mind forever. 

Based on the season you trek, the colours of these meadows change dramatically. You may get a lush green verdant turf or a golden velvet filled with bright colours. I have done this stretch a few times in different seasons. Every time the colours have taken my breath away. 

The seclusion of trekking in these virgin, almost untouched forests adds more to the adventure. 

One is the well-trodden trail on the first day of your trek. But the more interesting walk comes on your last day. These forests have rarely been trodden on. You are likely to be the only ones on the trail. The beauty of this is that the sounds of birds can be deafening in this section. 

The chirps and whistles of birds along with the sound of your feet crunching the leaves beneath your shoes are beautiful. You might even spot the shy Monals on the trek! On my exploration, I spotted eleven! 

Kotgaon, which is your base camp, has a very rich culture. It is a blend of Uttarakhand and Himachal with the richness of both. Spend some time at the temple, because it is rare that you get a temple on the edges of a large ground with the Swargarohini peaks as the backdrop. 

The village in itself has a very homely feeling. You want to spend more time exploring the culture.