Har Ki Dun (Valley of Gods)
Moderate Alpine Trail in Uttarkashi • Summit 3,566 m • 7 Days
Alpine Field Dossier • Route Metrics
About Har Ki Dun (Valley of Gods)
A cradle-shaped hanging amphitheatre valley tucked inside the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in western Garhwal. Steeped in Mahabharata mythology as the pathway taken by the Pandavas ascending to heaven, Har Ki Dun winds alongside the rushing Supin River through ancient wooden settlements (Osla, Gangaad), dense walnut and pine forests, and opens beneath the colossal glaciated face of Swargarohini (6,252m) and Jaundhar Glacier.
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
Har Ki Dun (Valley of Gods) (3,566 m)
Panoramic vistas from Har Ki Dun (Valley of Gods) across Uttarkashi
31.1400° N, 78.4300° E
Mapped trail route
Interactive 3D Satellite Terrain
Inspect the 3D glacial topography, ridge relief, and trail approaches of Har Ki Dun (Valley of Gods) in photorealistic satellite imagery.
Elevation Profile
Continuous vertical gradient from Base Trailhead to the 3,566 m summit crest with live slope & oxygen estimates.
Elevation & Slope Profile
Elevation Milestones • 3,566 m Apex
- Base Trailhead
- Base Trailhead
- Mid-Trail Stage
- 3566 m • Kalkatiyadhar to Har Ki Dun & Exploration
- Apex Summit Marker
- Har Ki Dun (Valley of Gods) • 3,566 m
Itinerary
Recommended day-by-day progression from Solang Village to the high meadows and summit ridge.
Dehradun to Sankri
Drive 200 km through Mussoorie and the scenic Tons river valley to Sankri (1,950m).
Sankri to Taluka & Trek to Pauni Garaat
Drive to Taluka roadhead, then trek 10 km along the roaring Supin River through walnut groves to Pauni Garaat (2,500m).
Pauni Garaat to Kalkatiyadhar
Trek past the ancient 2,000-year-old carved wooden houses of Osla village to the scenic ridge camp of Kalkatiyadhar (2,950m).
Kalkatiyadhar to Har Ki Dun & Exploration
Trek to the cradle valley of Har Ki Dun (3,566m). Explore the alpine meadows, view Swargarohini and Jaundhar Glacier, return to Kalkatiyadhar.
Kalkatiyadhar to Pauni Garaat
Retrace steps downhill through the Supin valley to Pauni Garaat campsite.
Pauni Garaat to Taluka & Drive to Sankri
Trek 10 km back to Taluka, board vehicle to Sankri base camp.
Sankri to Dehradun
Return drive from Sankri to Dehradun railway station or airport.
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
Visit the ancient Someshwar (Duryodhana) wooden temple in Osla village to admire intricate Himalayan woodcarvings.
Extend the trek by an extra day to explore the pristine alpine lake of Maninda Tal and Jaundhar Glacier snout.
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 Har Ki Dun (Valley of Gods) route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers regarding distance, altitude, how to reach, opening hours, winter conditions, and permits for Har Ki Dun (Valley of Gods).
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.