Walking The Trail
The Gulabi Kantha Trek is a quiet Himalayan journey tucked deep inside the Yamuna Valley of Uttarakhand — a trail that balances accessibility with rare solitude and unfolds differently with every season. Despite lying close to major pilgrimage and trekking routes such as Yamunotri Temple and the Dodital Lake trail, Gulabi Kantha has somehow remained off the radar, preserving an old-world calm where forests feel undisturbed and mountain views arrive without crowds.
The journey begins from Hanuman Chatti, at the sacred confluence of the Yamuna River and the Hanuman Ganga. As you leave the road behind, the trail gently climbs through traditional villages where wooden houses cling to slopes and daily life still follows the rhythm of seasons rather than schedules. Soon, the path slips into dense forests of oak, pine, and towering deodar. Sunlight filters through the canopy in soft beams, the forest floor smells of pine needles and damp earth, and birdsong becomes your most constant companion. The ascent is gradual, allowing the body to adapt naturally as the trail slowly gains height.
As you move higher, the forests begin to thin and wide grassy clearings emerge — an unmistakable sign that you are approaching the high Himalayan meadows. These open stretches feel expansive and quiet, broken only by the sound of wind and distant water streams. Walking here feels unhurried; the trail invites you to slow down, look around, and notice how the landscape opens up with every step.
One of Gulabi Kantha’s defining qualities is its remarkable seasonal versatility. In summer, the meadows turn lush green and alive with wild Himalayan flowers, while clear mountain streams crisscross the trail, offering constant sources of fresh water. During the monsoon, low-hanging clouds roll through the valley, wrapping the forests and grasslands in mist and giving the trek a dramatic, almost dreamlike atmosphere. In winter, these same meadows disappear under deep snow, transforming the region into a quiet white expanse — a landscape so open and gentle that parts of it, especially around Seema Thatch, hold strong potential for winter skiing.
Spring brings the trek’s most distinctive character. Rhododendron forests burst into bloom, painting entire slopes in shades of red and pink. It is during this season that the mountain truly earns its name — Gulabi Kantha, meaning “Pink Mountain”. Walking through these flowering forests, with petals scattered along the trail and snow-capped peaks rising beyond the trees, feels both intimate and surreal.
The summit of Gulabi Kantha, rising to around 13,200 ft, offers a sweeping 360-degree panorama that feels far grander than the effort required to reach it. Directly ahead stand the towering peaks of the Garhwal Himalaya — Bandarpunch (20,729 ft / 6,316 m) dominating the skyline, alongside Kala Nag / Black Peak (20,955 ft / 6,387 m). The massive Chaukhambha massif (23,406 ft / 7,138 m) rises further east, while the Gangotri group of peaks, including summits over 21,000 ft, stretch across the horizon. To the north and west, Jaonli Peak (21,758 ft / 6,632 m), Srikantha (22,493 ft / 6,856 m), and Swargarohini I (20,512 ft / 6,252 m) stand tall, creating a continuous wall of high Himalayan giants.
On the opposite side of the summit lies the route toward Dodital Lake (10,860 ft / 3,310 m), reached via Darwa Pass (approximately 13,615 ft / 4,150 m) — a classic alpine crossing known for its pristine forests and mythological importance as the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. From the top of Gulabi Kantha, the landscape drops gently toward this quieter world of lakes, forests, and ancient legends.
Gulabi Kantha is a trek for those who want the Himalayas to feel personal rather than overwhelming — a place where trails remain peaceful, views arrive without competition, and every season tells a different story. Whether walked through flowers, mist, or snow, it offers an experience that feels less like a checklist and more like a conversation with the mountains themselves. Read More