Har Ki Dun - HillWalkers

Quick Info

Altitude

3566 m

Difficulty

Easy Moderate

Distance

~32 Km

Base Village

Sankri

Duration

4-5 Days

Best Season

April – June

Highlights

Views of Swargarohini, Black peak and surrounding peaks
Traditional villages like Gangad and Osla
Forest trails along the Supin River
Wooden bridges and riverside camps
Meadows, valleys and changing landscapes
Rich Himalayan birdlife

Overview

Har Ki Dun is a classic valley trek in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Unlike summit-focused treks, the journey here is about walking through forests, traditional Himalayan villages, river valleys and open meadows before reaching the broad valley beneath the Swargarohini range.

Har Ki Dun is often referred to as the Valley of Gods due to its association with local folklore and the nearby Swargarohini massif. The valley has been used for centuries by local communities and later gained popularity among trekkers for its combination of cultural heritage, mountain scenery and relatively accessible terrain.

The route passes through the villages of Gangad and Osla, two settlements that still retain much of their traditional wooden architecture and mountain lifestyle. Along the way, the trail follows the Supin River, crosses wooden bridges and gradually opens up to wider views of snow-covered peaks.

Har Ki Dun is often considered one of the best introductory Himalayan treks. The altitude remains manageable for most trekkers, the trail is well established, and the landscape changes noticeably every day. From dense forests and riverside trails to open valleys and mountain views, the trek offers a little bit of everything.

The region falls within Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and supports a variety of Himalayan wildlife and birdlife. While sightings depend on season and luck, trekkers may encounter Himalayan langurs, barking deer and several species of mountain birds along the route.

Essentials

Water

Multiple Streams throughout

Network

Limited beyond Sankri

Camping

Camping Allowed

Permit

Required, taken from Sankri

Food

Villages and at some trail points

Guide

Mandatory

What To Carry

Clothing

Quick-dry T-shirts
Trek pants
Fleece jacket
Down jacket (season dependent)
Rain jacket or poncho
Woollen cap and gloves
Extra socks

Food and Fluids

Water bottles
Electrolytes
Dry snacks and energy bars
if backpacking
Dehydrated food
Meals

Gears

Headlamp / Torche
Powerbank
Trekking Pole
Sunglass
Personal Medicines
If Backpacking,
Cooking system

Optional

Camera

Note: This checklist serves as a general guide. Adjust your gear based on weather, season, trek conditions, and personal requirements.

Routes

Sankri – Gangad – Osla – Kalkatiya Dhar – Boslo – Har Ki Dun

Base Village: Sankri
Difficulty: Easy Moderate🟢
Duration: 4-5 Days
Distance: ~22-32 km

The journey begins from Sankri, from where shared vehicles and private taxis can be used to reach Gangad. The trek starts from Gangad and follows the Supin valley through forests, river crossings and traditional Himalayan settlements.

Osla is the main village encountered on the route and is a common halt for trekkers. Those looking for a longer day can bypass an overnight stay at Osla by crossing the Seema bridge and continuing towards Kalkatiyadhar campsite.

From Kalkatiyadhar, the trail gradually climbs towards Boslo campsite. Boslo is often used as the final camping location as camping is generally not permitted further ahead towards Har Ki Dun. From Boslo, a short hike leads into the Har Ki Dun valley beneath the Swargarohini range before returning to camp.

Trekkers with additional time can continue beyond Har Ki Dun to visit Maninder Tal. Another worthwhile extension is Ruinsara Tal, located towards the Bali Pass route. Ruinsara Tal is approximately 13 km from Boslo and is usually explored as an extended hike or as part of a longer itinerary connecting to Bali Pass.

How to reach

Sankri

Reach Dehradun by train, bus or flight. From Dehradun, shared taxis and buses operate towards Sankri via Mussoorie, Purola and Mori.
Bus Timing from Dehradun Hill side Bus stand: 7:30 AM, which could be 8+ hours journey.

Gangaad

Shared (Limited) and private taxis are available from Sankri to Gangad. The trek begins from Gangad and follows the Supin valley towards Osla and Har Ki Dun.

Map & Location

Base Village: Sankri

District: Uttarkashi

State: Uttarakhand

Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun

Nearest Airport: Dehradun

Region: Garhwal Himalayas

Safety

Suitable for

Fit Beginners
Regular Trekkers

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness recommended

Safety Notes

Long walking days
Cold nights at higher camps
Weather can change rapidly
Trail may become slippery during rain or snow

Emergency Contacts

Nearest Village : Osla

Gallery

FAQ

Most trekkers complete Har Ki Dun in 3–5 days depending on the itinerary, experience, acclimatization and side excursions.

Gangad and Osla are the primary villages encountered on the route. Osla is one of the oldest settlements in the valley and is known for its traditional wooden houses, carved architecture and views of the surrounding mountains.

The trek offers views of several prominent peaks of the region. Swargarohini remains a constant presence through much of the valley, Black Peak (Kalanag) can be seen from various sections of the route, and the Bandarpoonch massif becomes prominent around Kalkatiyadhar and higher sections of the trek.

Yes. Entry into Govind Pashu Vihar National Park requires a forest permit. It can be issued from Sankri forest checkpost

Yes. While issuing the permit they ask for guide, though it can be managed on own risk as trail is well established but not recommended

Yes. Trekkers with additional time can visit Maninder Tal or extend their journey towards Ruinsara Tal and the Bali Pass region.

Didn’t find your question here? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.