5 Monsoon Treks In Uttarakhand That Are Totally Worth The Mud

Intrepid travellers know that monsoon is quite an underrated season for trekking. While regular trails are definitely off our bucket lists, some treks are meant to be savoured (and endured) when everyone else is indoors sipping chai and scrolling reels. If you're up for a little mud, here are 5 monsoon treks that need to be on your radar.

Touted as the most “beautiful meadow in India", the Dayara Bugyal offers incredible views on a trek by the same name. This easy trek is perfect for all experience levels and offers a visual feast throughout the year. But during the monsoon, the vast expanse of rolling greens explodes with vibrant wildflowers, creating a breathtaking scene. And on a good day, the skies part to reveal breathtaking vistas of Mt Bandarpoonch and Mt Srikanth standing sentinel in the distance. It's a picture-perfect postcard that comes to life.

If you’d like a more challenging trek in the same area, then we recommend the Nanda Devi National Park, flanked by the Valley of Flowers National Park. While peak monsoon might be best avoided, late August to early September offers a window for exploration. Hike through forests teeming with rhododendron, birch, and juniper, and keep an eye out for elusive wildlife like musk deer, black bear, and even the majestic snow leopard. The trek itself is moderately difficult, but the unmatched views of surrounding peaks like Trishul and Nanda Devi make it worthwhile.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this iconic trek comes alive during the monsoon. Over 500 varieties of flowers, including the rare Himalayan Brahmakamal, bloom in a mesmerising display. The trek itself is moderate and is one day long since you can't stay overnight in the valley. However most travellers combine this with a challenging climb to Hemkund Sahib, a revered Sikh pilgrimage site. But the reward is unparalleled: a breathtaking panorama of colourful meadows nestled amidst snow-capped peaks.

If you’d like to avoid the cacophonous crowds, then head to Nag Tibba this monsoon. This short and scenic trek leads to the summit of Nag Tibba, the highest peak in the Garhwal Himalayas. The surrounding landscape transforms during the monsoon, with vibrant foliage replacing the dry summer vistas. The easy-moderate difficulty makes it ideal for beginners, and you might even be rewarded with stunning sunsets and glimpses of Himalayan giants like Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch.

Often called the Switzerland of India, Chopta is as beautiful a hill station as they come. Here, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the Himalayas on the Chopta-Chandrashila Trek. The journey begins in Chopta’s oak, deodar, and rhododendron forest. Hike to Tungnath, the highest Lord Shiva temple in the world, and then climb further to Chandrashila Peak. The panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Chaukhamba and Janhukut, are truly unforgettable.