Triund Trek: Distance, Difficulty, Best Time & Our Night at the Top

Triund trek: the short answer

The Triund trek starts near McLeodganj above Dharamshala and climbs about 9 km to a grassy ridge at roughly 2,850 m, with the snow-capped Dhauladhar range right in front of you. Most people take 3 to 5 hours to go up. It’s moderate, steep and rocky in places, but very doable for a beginner with decent shoes and some fitness.

I did it over New Year 2016 with my cousin Gurpreet, Nitin and Sandeep, slept in a tent at the top, and saw a night sky that, back then, was the best I’d ever seen. This guide covers the distance, route, difficulty, best time, the camping rules as they are now, what it costs, and the detour to Masroor Temple that we almost didn’t take.

Triund trek at a glance

Our New Year on Triund

My birthday falls in the first days of January, and at the end of 2015 I wanted to celebrate it differently: no office, no cake routine, just mountains and quiet. Four of us, my cousin Gurpreet, Nitin, Sandeep and I, spent a week arguing about options and settled on Triund, with a stop at the rock-cut Masroor Temple that a colleague insisted we see.

At 11 PM on 31 December we left Chandigarh on an HRTC bus. The tickets cost under ₹600 each, the seats reclined, and we welcomed 2016 a few kilometres outside Chandigarh, on a bus, in the dark. Not glamorous, but it’s one of my favourite New Years.

Before the trek: Masroor Temple and the Tatwani hot spring

We reached Dharamshala around 5:30 AM, took the 7 AM local bus to Ranital, and walked about 2 km to Masroor Temple.

Masroor Temple is about 40 km from Dharamshala and is carved out of a single rock, something you rarely see in North India. Locals link it to the Pandavas. Hardly anyone was there, and from the top the Dhauladhar range stood out against a bright blue sky. If you have half a day before Triund, go.

On the way back, the bus conductor and a few locals told us about Tatwani, a hot spring with an old temple. We asked the driver to drop us there, fell asleep, and woke up to the conductor telling us we’d arrived. Tatwani was down the hill across a stream, so we climbed down through bushes, tied our shoes to our bags, rolled up our jeans and waded across. The hot water on tired feet was worth it. The detour took half a day and 7–8 km of walking before a van to McLeodganj.

We reached McLeodganj around 6:30 PM. It was off-season, so rooms were easy to find: two rooms at a guesthouse near the market for about ₹700 in total.

Triund trek distance and route

The trail officially starts at Gallu Devi Temple, about 12 km by road from McLeodganj through Dharamkot. We took a cab from the McLeodganj bus stand for ₹400 (2016 price), which saved our legs for the climb. You can also walk up from McLeodganj or Dharamkot, which adds distance.

• From McLeodganj: about 9 km one way on foot, or a cab to Gallu Devi and about 7–8 km from there.
• From Dharamshala: take a bus or taxi up to McLeodganj first (about 10 km), then the route above.
• From Delhi or Chandigarh: overnight bus to Dharamshala or McLeodganj, then start the next morning.

The path is clear and busy, so you don’t need a guide on a normal day. Stick to the main trail and don’t try shortcuts.

How difficult is the Triund trek?

Moderate. The first part climbs steadily through forest. The last stretch, known for its sharp bends, is the hardest: steep, rocky, with rocks pointing up out of the trail. Fit walkers reach the top in about 3 hours; first-timers should plan for 5 to 6.

It’s fine for beginners if you start early, go at your own pace and wear proper shoes. Flat-soled sneakers or formal shoes are a bad idea on those rocks.

Best time for the Triund trek

• March to June: pleasant days, cold nights, busy on weekends.
• July to August: monsoon, with slippery trails and poor views. Avoid it.
• September to December: clear skies and the best views. We went at the very end of December: sunny and clear, but very cold at night.
• Late December to February: snow is possible near the top, and the last stretch can be icy. Go only with proper gear, and check conditions locally before starting.

Staying overnight at Triund: camping and night view

Watching the sunset at around 6 PM and then the stars come out is the reason to stay the night. We rented a 4-person tent with sleeping bags for ₹1,500, ate dinner at a tent shop, and spent the evening with other trekkers, sharing stories and dancing to stay warm. The lights of McLeodganj and Dharamshala glowed far below, and the sky above was the best I had seen at the time. The night was freezing, and the sleeping bags saved us.

The rules have changed since our trip. In November 2023 the Himachal Pradesh High Court backed new limits for Triund, enforced by the forest department at the Gallu checkpost:

• A cap on the number of trekkers per day, with an entry fee, reduced to ₹100 per person in January 2024.
• Only a limited number of tents and overnight visitors at the top, with an extra fee for staying overnight.

So you can still stay the night, but book a tent in advance through a registered operator or check at the checkpost, especially on weekends. Rules and fees can change, so confirm before you go.

Coming down and getting back

After tea and sunrise, we started down around 7 AM and took about 4 hours with plenty of breaks. We spent the afternoon in McLeodganj market eating street food and caught an evening bus back to Chandigarh.

Our Triund trip cost (2016 prices)

These are 2016 prices for a group of four. Today, add the forest entry fee and the overnight fee, and expect higher bus, cab and tent prices.

What to carry for the Triund trek

• Shoes with real grip (trekking shoes or boots, not sneakers)
• Warm layers: a hoodie or sweater plus a jacket, even in summer
• Warm socks and a cap for the night
• A raincoat or poncho
• A torch or headlamp
• Snacks and chocolate, plus water
• Cash: ATMs in the mountains are unreliable, and nothing at the top takes cards

Tips from our trip

• Start early so you’re at the top well before sunset.
• Check bus timings in advance and ask three or four locals for directions; they’re usually right.
• Avoid oily food before the climb.
• Don’t take shortcuts or unknown trails.
• Tag your bags, and carry your rubbish back down.

Triund vs Kheer Ganga: which is better?

I’ve done both. Triund is shorter but steeper, and its reward is the view: the Dhauladhar range right in front of you and the valley lights at night. Kheer Ganga in Parvati Valley is longer but easier, through villages and forest, and ends at a hot spring. Short trip with a view: Triund. Longer trip with a hot-spring soak at the end: Kheer Ganga.

Triund trek FAQ

How long is the Triund trek? About 9 km one way from McLeodganj, or around 7–8 km from Gallu Devi Temple, where the trail starts.

How high is Triund? About 2,850 m (9,350 ft).

Is the Triund trek difficult for beginners? It’s moderate. Beginners can do it with good shoes, an early start and plenty of breaks. The last stretch is the steepest.

Can the Triund trek be done in one day? Yes. Many people go up and down in a day, about 7–9 hours in total. Staying the night is worth it for the sunset and stars, though.

Can I do the Triund trek without a guide? Yes. The trail is clear and busy. Just stay on the main path.

Is Triund open in December and January? Usually, but snow and ice near the top are possible from late December. Check conditions locally before you start.

Can you camp at Triund? Yes, but camping is limited and charged. Book ahead or check at the Gallu checkpost.

Is there mobile network at Triund? Patchy. Don’t count on it at the top.

Where does the Triund trek start? At Gallu Devi Temple, above Dharamkot, about 12 km by road from McLeodganj.

Stay curious

Triund was the trip that made me want to keep going: a bus on New Year’s Eve, a river we weren’t supposed to cross, and a night under more stars than I knew existed. Take a few days off and go. Stay curious, and it will take you places.

Planning Triund? Leave a comment or get in touch.