Dodital Lake & Darwa Pass
Moderate Alpine Trail in Uttarkashi • Summit 3,024 m (Lake) / 4,150 m (Darwa Pass) • 4–5 Days
Alpine Field Dossier • Route Metrics
About Dodital Lake & Darwa Pass Trek
A serene freshwater alpine lake enveloped in dense oak, pine, and rhododendron forests in Uttarkashi district, revered as the legendary birthplace of Lord Ganesha (Dodi Tal). Famed for its rare Himalayan Golden Trout, the trail continues past the lake to the wind-whipped crest of Darwa Pass (4,150m), opening breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini mountain massifs.
Trailhead Approach
Commences from Base Trailhead, following established mountain corridors through valley topography.
Alpine Progression
Rises steadily into open mountain zones with panoramic vantages across Uttarkashi.
High Vantage & Crest
Reaches high elevation vantage points where disciplined alpine pacing and weather awareness ensure a safe journey.
The Route
Trailhead coordinates, navigation milestones, and geospatial profile connecting Base Trailhead to the summit crest.
Base Trailhead
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand • Trailhead Access
Dodital Lake & Darwa Pass Trek (3,024 m (Lake) / 4,150 m (Darwa Pass))
Panoramic vistas from Dodital Lake & Darwa Pass Trek across Uttarkashi
30.8930° N, 78.5200° E
Mapped trail route
Interactive 3D Satellite Terrain
Inspect the 3D glacial topography, ridge relief, and trail approaches of Dodital Lake & Darwa Pass Trek in photorealistic satellite imagery.
Elevation Profile
Continuous vertical gradient from Base Trailhead to the 3,024 m (Lake) / 4,150 m (Darwa Pass) summit crest with live slope & oxygen estimates.
Elevation & Slope Profile
Elevation Milestones • 3,024 m (Lake) / 4,150 m (Darwa Pass) Apex
- Base Trailhead
- Base Trailhead
- Mid-Trail Stage
- 4150 m • Dodital to Darwa Pass & Return
- Apex Summit Marker
- Dodital Lake & Darwa Pass Trek • 3,024 m (Lake) / 4,150 m (Darwa Pass)
Itinerary
Recommended day-by-day progression from Solang Village to the high meadows and summit ridge.
Uttarkashi to Sangam Chatti, Trek to Bebra
Drive 15 km to Sangam Chatti, then begin the 7 km forest hike through Agoda village to the riverside camp at Bebra (2,150m).
Bebra to Dodital Lake
Climb 14 km through dense forests of rhododendron and oak past Manjhi to the tranquil emerald lake of Dodital (3,024m).
Dodital to Darwa Pass & Return
Steep 5 km climb to Darwa Pass (4,150m) for panoramic vistas of Bandarpoonch and the Gangotri peaks. Descend back to Dodital.
Dodital to Sangam Chatti & Drive to Uttarkashi
Retrace steps downhill through Manjhi and Bebra to Sangam Chatti roadhead, followed by drive back to Uttarkashi.
Information
Everything you need for a safe and prepared journey — real-time weather, seasonal cycles, practical field tips, medical directives, and gear checklist.
Best Time & Live Mountain Weather
Summer & Spring (May – June)
Clear morning skies, blooming alpine meadows across Uttarkashi, and comfortable daytime trekking conditions with residual high pass snow.
Monsoon (July – August)
Lush green valley trails and vibrant mountain ecology. Afternoon showers require early morning departures and waterproof shells.
Post-Monsoon / Autumn (Sept – Oct)
Unparalleled long-range visibility, stable atmospheric pressure, and crisp dry conditions across the Himalayan summits.
Winter & Early Spring (Nov – April)
High elevation terrain covered in heavy seasonal snow. Lower valley trails accessible; high cols demand specialized cold-weather preparation.
Trail Tips & Practical Advice
Fishing for golden trout in Dodital requires a special permit from the Forest Division in Uttarkashi; catch-and-release rules apply.
Darwa Pass connects with the Yamuna valley and can be extended into a traverse trek ending at Hanuman Chatti.
Altitude Safety & Emergency Protocols
The Three Golden Rules of Altitude Safety
- 1Rule 1: Any headache or illness above 2,500m is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) until proven otherwise.
- 2Rule 2: Never ascend to sleep at a higher campsite with symptoms of altitude sickness.
- 3Rule 3: If symptoms worsen, or if ataxia (loss of balance) or breathlessness at rest appears, descend immediately.
What to Pack
Recommended alpine gear and equipment essentials required for the Dodital Lake & Darwa Pass Trek route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers regarding distance, altitude, how to reach, opening hours, winter conditions, and permits for Dodital Lake & Darwa Pass Trek.
More Trails in Uttarkashi
Continue your journey through neighboring valleys, glacier basins, and trails across Uttarkashi.
Gangotri Temple & Bhagirathi Canyon
The venerated seat of Goddess Ganga and one of the four cardinal Char Dham pilgrimage shrines. Perched at 3,100m on the granite banks of the roaring Bhagirathi River in Uttarkashi district, the white marble temple was constructed in the 18th century by Gorkha commander Amar Singh Thapa. Key sacred landmarks include the Bhagirath Shila (the granite slab where King Bhagiratha meditated to bring Ganga to Earth), the natural submerged rock Shivalinga visible in winter, the thunderous granite gorge of Surya Kund waterfall, and the ancient Pandava Gufa.
Uttarkashi Town & Kashi Vishwanath
Often called 'Varanasi of the North', Uttarkashi is the cultural, spiritual, and mountaineering capital of Garhwal nestled along the Bhagirathi River. Revered for the ancient Kashi Vishwanath Temple featuring the legendary 26-foot Shakti Trishul forged of divine copper-iron alloy that vibrates when touched by a single finger. The town is also the home of India's premier mountaineering academy, the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM).
Barkot Gateway
Barkot is a scenic mountain town in Uttarkashi district situated along the banks of the Yamuna River. Surrounded by apple orchards and offering views of the Bandarpoonch peak, it serves as the primary staging hub and road base for pilgrims and trekkers journeying to Yamunotri.