Brahmatal trek

A cloak of winter snow, ice upon the branches and snow upon the ground, where days turn into nights and perfect stillness calms the view. Treks in December carry that kind of magic the sort that stays with you long after you’re back home. Here are a few December treks worth putting on your list.

Panwali Kantha Trek

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The Panwali Kantha trek is a trek which is less talked about. The trek passes through oak and rhododendron woods, pine and deodar, crosses some icy little streams and dips between villages that feel untouched by time before going out into meadows, so wide you can’t help but lose track of where they end. But what remains is the peaks of Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Kedar Dome, Neelkanth, Trishul, Thalaysagar and the long ridgelines which head towards Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri. They can be caught at dawn or dusk and the entire range is gilded for several minutes. There’s history in this walk too.

Local legend says it’s connected to the last day of the Pandavas and you will pass by the Kedarnath and Gangotri temples on the way, so it is not only a walk through scenic beauty but with a spiritual load as well. The wildflowers, the strange shepherd’s hut, the foothills of the Himalayas and the ability to see the Milky Way through the night sky, plus campsites for those who want to get away from the city for a bit, rather than just the pictures of it, make this trek perfect for anyone who wants to get away from the city.

Deoban Weekend Trek

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or those who don’t have a week to spare, but still want to experience some cold and clean mountain air, Deoban is the answer. It’s close to the hill town of Chakrata, which becomes a snowy wonderland in the winter, and the drive in itself is worth it; past the waterfalls and the crumbled valleys. Once you are on the trail however, there is little noise except your own footsteps and the Himalayan ranges can be seen through the trees.

A particular attention is required here for the bird lovers: Deoban is a place where sightings of the Himalayan Monal and Kalij Pheasant are not uncommon; there are several species, which are not found anywhere else. The slow pace, snow, birds and the short drive makes it an excellent choice for novices, families and those who simply want to take a break from a long voyage.

Chirbatiya Weekend Trek

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Chirbatiya is a small village in Rudraprayag district and, truth be told, this trek should be better known. You pass through thickets of rhododendron, oak, deodar trees, waterfalls, open fields and terraced fields, where you can observe the lifestyle and agriculture of local residents. Patangnia meadow is the high point with view of Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Trishul, Dronagiri, Neelkanth and Chang Bang all in a go. It’s an easy grade, so it’s suitable for the first trek or the fiftieth, and for most of the Himalayan trails, it’s walkable year-round with rhododendrons in bloom in summer, and snow covering the trails in winter.

In the process you get to meet locals, enjoy authentic Garhwali cuisine and get a chance to sleep under the open sky. For those who wish to have a quick introduction to the trekking experience in the Himalayas without sacrificing the scenery, this may be a good choice.

Binsar Weekend Trek

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Binsar is located in the wildlife sanctuary of Almora district and it is a convenient weekend getaway due to its 2-day format. During November to February the place is an actual winter wonderland with snow-covered forest, biting cold and crisp views up to Nanda Devi, Trishul and the Panchachuli range. There is also a possibility of wildlife sightings since the trail passes through a sanctuary, as well as barking deer, leopards (from afar, please) and many other species of birds, making it a birders delight. It’s hidden away but not too hard to get.

Whether it’s for the families or the first-time trekkers or someone who has been trekking in the Himalayas for a long time, the trekking in Binsar is truly worth chasing for.

Brahmatal Trek

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Brahmatal shows up on pretty much every “best winter treks in India” list, and once you’ve walked it, that’s not hard to understand. Snow-covered trails, frozen lakes, wide-open Himalayan views it all comes together in a way that almost feels staged. The two lakes on this route, Brahmatal and Bekaltal, freeze solid by winter. There’s something oddly calming about standing next to a lake that’s gone completely still under a layer of ice. The best views, though, come from Tilandi Top and Jhandi Top, where Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Mrigthuni, and Maiktoli line up across the horizon.

Between the viewpoints, the trail cuts through oak and rhododendron forest, past the Gujreni campsite, and across meadows that are worth slowing down for great for photos, or just for sitting and watching the light shift. There’s some local mythology tied to the place too: Brahmatal Lake is said to be where Lord Brahma once meditated, which is a nice bit of backstory to have in mind while you’re up there. Difficulty-wise, it sits comfortably in the middle doable for a determined beginner, still rewarding if you’ve already done a dozen treks.

Kedarkantha Trek

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Kedarkantha gets called the “Queen of Winter Treks,” and it earns the title this is probably the most popular winter trek in India, and it delivers on nearly every count. Starting from Sankri, the trail winds through pine, oak, maple, and rhododendron forest before the snow really takes over. Juda Ka Talab, a small lake with its own Shiva mythology attached, freezes over in winter and makes for a memorable early stop. Higher up, the Kedarkantha Base and Hargaon campsites are known for genuinely dark, light-pollution-free skies the kind of stargazing that’s hard to find closer to home.

The summit tops out at 12,500 feet, with a full 360-degree view: Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak, and Draupadi Ka Danda, with the Har Ki Dun and Rupin valleys stretching out below. One thing worth knowing before you go the trek enters a no-network zone past Sankri, so you’re properly cut off for the duration. For a lot of trekkers, that’s not a downside at all; it’s kind of the point.

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