Triund - India’s most underrated trekking destination

Triund is located in Himachal Pradesh, some 7-9 km from Mcleodganj in northern India. With the views of the Dhauladhar Mountains on one side and Kangra Valley on the other, Triund can easily help you recover from the tiredness, isolation and melancholy of city life. With its dense forests, breathtaking mountain views and tiny rivulets around, the trek to Triund can seem straight out of a dream. Over the last 10 years, Triund’s popularity has grown immensely with more travel operators providing camping and lodging facilities to adventure-seeking hikers in this region. In short, India’s most underrated trekking destination is finally getting back much-deserved love and attention.  

Duration of Triund Trek 

While trekking, it’s generally advisable to begin early morning so can you reach Triund by afternoon or evening, depending on your walking speed. It usually takes up to 5-6 hours, but it can also take more, which entirely depends on your speed and the climatic conditions. Hiking in the dark is not recommended as many locals say that there is a fear of bear attacks. The hike to Triund is quite steep and tedious; hence, good physical strength and stamina are very helpful. 

On the way, big boulders, curvy nature trails and the occasional sighting of locals will be part of your journey. Try to enjoy every bit of it. Sometimes the hike will be extremely silent, with absolutely no sound around. This can make you feel little awry at times, but sometimes you will be greeted by fellow trekkers as well. 

Food Stopover 

On your way up, you can find several tea, egg and Maggi (2-minute Indian packaged noodles) stalls, where you can recharge your energy for the uphill climb. One can also carry ready-to-eat food packets if you are planning to set up your own camp. Moreover, Triund nights are extremely cool, and in winters, don’t forget to pack an extra layer of thermals or a blanket as the midnight temperature dips to nail-biting cold. When I visited Triund, I did not prepare enough for the chilly weather and spent that night shivering in a wooden cottage, where the owner did not have provision for enough warm blankets. So prepare wisely!

Beautiful Triund 

Reaching the top of Triund will be no less than an awestruck experience, as you will see the clouds floating at eye level and sun’s varied coloured beams reflected by mountains around. So fascinating is the beauty of this place that sometimes it’s hard to believe that it’s actually true. One can also find several friendly dogs, which have acclimatized to the region with their thick fur coat. So, dog lovers have another reason to visit this place). 

At Triund, one sleeps under a magical star-lit sky and breathes in the purest version of oxygen. In fact, Triund looks so beautiful that it seems a small piece of heaven with vivid greens, small cottages and welcoming sherpas, who try to help with all basic necessities that you may need. It is a memorable experience for every adventure seeker and nature lover, which you just can’t afford to miss. 

Trekking to Triund is a journey into self-revelation and reflection, a journey that is difficult to undertake amidst the cacophony of city life. Triund, India’s most underrated trekking destination deserves to be visited at least once a year to completely appreciate its beauty in the form of nature’s artwork.