For travellers and trekkers who are addicted to the Himalayas, Uttarakhand is a special place. A land of many myths and religious folklores, which has seen millions of footfalls of spiritual seekers through many centuries, is a trekker’s paradise and a delight for any nature lover. Surely many of you have travelled through these parts and feel that you have seen all that is there to see. But the interesting fact of this region is that the mountains put on a different layer of beauty in different seasons.

So the spot you may have visited in autumn will be totally unrecognisable during the snowy winters and the place where you have shivered in the chilly winters will take your breath away with the colours of spring. I will list five spots of both the Garhwal and Kumayun belt which will include destinations where you can reach comfortably by a vehicle as well as some spots where some soft trekking is required. No matter which spot you choose, the beauty quotient of each destination is very high and they will also offer you the right taste of peace and tranquillity amidst the majestic mountain scenery.

1. Chopta Valley

 The road that moves to Ukhimath from Rudraprayag continues to Chopta valley and meets the NH travelling towards Joshimath at Gopeshwar. The moment you cross Ukhimath you enter dense forest of Pine and Deodar which is one of the oldest in the region. Chopta is a fascinating place which is part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It has green meadows lined with alpine forests and bordered by the Kedarnath range of peaks. Chopta does have only a few permanent structures which is actually a blessing since the beauty of the wilderness still prevails here.

Camping is an ideal option in Chopta as the green meadows provide a fascinating and ideal environment for staying close to the nature. At 2680 metres above sea level Chopta offers a snowy white beauty in winters while in the spring the multiple species of Rhododendrons make the forest glow with their colours. The ancient stone paved pilgrim’s trail to Badrinath moves across this forest and meadows and the entire belt is a bird watcher’s paradise. A morning trek to Tunganath temple from here is an ideal trip to catch a view of the famous bird, Monal.

Apart from the well known trek to Tunganath multiple short treks are possible from Chopta as the forests are open for exploration.  I went on a short trek through the forests and across gurgling brooks to the small and pristine meadow of Shem Kharak. The sunset views from this vantage point are simply fabulous. Sitting around a campfire amidst the forest and experiencing the silence of the night is an ideal way to feel the pulse of the valley and the forest. Chopta is a destination that is ideal for poets and artists to build their creation and for city bound people to find their forgotten roots in nature.

2. Harsil

The small spot that most tourists miss in their rush towards Gangotri is a whole world of natural beauty in itself. If you have been to Harsil already, you can try a different season like the winter, when the white envelope of snow forms a smooth blanket over the bluish waters of the Bhagirathi. Another good time is during the autumn when the blue sky compliments the views and the apple trees get loaded with luscious fruits. A small walk from Harsil to the apple gardens in Kachora village in that season is a great experience.

Apart from Bhagirathi there are two other fast-flowing streams that gush through the valley and one of them is the Jalandhari Gad. The river leads the trekking route to the Lamkhaga pass from Harsil which is a route for trekkers to cross into the Baspa velley in Himachal Pradesh. A walk along the banks of Jalandhari is more than a delightful experience. The pine forests, the bluish currents of the river and colourful prayer flags make this trail an extremely beautiful one.  One can go for longer treks to Kyarkoti meadow from here and there are hardly a few spots in India that can give you such a rewarding experience amidst nature like the Jalandhari valley.

A day trek to Sat Tal, the seven lakes, can also be a rewarding journey from Harsil. In case you are looking just for some quiet time to sit on the white bank of Bhagirathi and relax under the sun, this is perhaps the most beautiful place for that. This is one spot in Uttarakhand that definitely deserves a visit for nature lovers.

3. Karthik Swami temple

From the Bhagirathi valley we return back to the banks of Alakananda and halt at Rudraprayag. From here the road towards Pokhri will take you to the village of Kanakchauri, located 40 kilometres away, which is the base for the Karthik Swami Temple. The road is very scenic and there are beautiful views of the Kedarnath range awaiting you as you climb higher. From KanakChauri you can look up and see the temple perched on the top of one of the highest cliffs in the area, which is a 2.5 kilometres trek from the village.

Once you see the location of the temple and do not have prior trekking experience, it is possible to get daunted by it. But the trek is fairly easy with the last half being well defined by stairs and the advantage of the location is that it makes the temple one of the best view points in Uttarakhand. If you visit in spring, the path will be decorated by blooming rhododendron trees making the setting even more spectacular.  Once you reach the temple the majestic setting and serene atmosphere is bound to touch a chord inside you in some way or the other.

Kanakchauri have hotels with only basic facilities so one can complete the trek and head back to Rudraprayag. For those who decide to stay back in the village for the night, the sunset views on the Kedarnath and Chaukhamba ranges can be extremely rewarding

4. Binsar

Beautifully located inside the dense forest, Binsar is a great destination for mountain and forest lovers. The classic views of Nanda Devi and Trishul from Binsar are breathtaking in the right weather. The beauty of Binsar in autumn and in winter is totally different and each new season brings new shades and charms to this lovely spot.

Long walks through the forest during the morning hours can be extremely rewarding and if you are lucky, you may find a shy deer looking back at you through the cover of the trees. The winters are cold but the snowfall can change the entire look of the forest by giving it a fairytalish charm. Sitting with a cup of warm coffee in the balcony and enjoying the snowfall is an ideal way to spend a winter afternoon in Binsar. This is also a great spot for birding activities with a great variety of birdlife in the forest.

When you are in Binsar, do not forget to visit the beautiful temple complex in Jageshwar surrounded by some of the oldest Deodar trees you have ever seen. It is around 50 kilometres away from Binsar. Next time when you are looking for an off season destination in Uttarakhand, do not forget to include Binsar in your list.

5. Gwaldam

This small village has its own bonanza of natural beauty but Gwaldam is not frequented by tourists but mostly by trekkers going for the Roopkund trek. It has the advantage of being accessible from both Garhwal and Kumayun belts and both the drives are over beautiful roads through pine forests. This is an ideal place to spend a few leisurely days while watching spectacular views of Mount Trishul and Nandaghunti. In fact unless you are going for the Roopkund trek, no other hill station will give you such close range view of these peaks.

In case you do not have time or energy for the Roopkund trek but still want to get the flavour of the adventure and some grand views, there are a few options from Gwaldam. A four kilometre hike over some steep sections will take you to the Gwaldam Nag temple which provides fantastic views of the peaks forming the wall around Mt. Nanda Devi. The forested route is also good for birding and you can carry your zoom lenses with you. If you drive eight kilometres further to Binatoli you can go for shorter treks to the Angyari Mahadev temple or the Badhan Gadi temple.

Gwaldam is a great place to watch colourful sunsets and once you step away from the main market, the roads shaded by beautiful pine forest provide a great ambience for a walk. This is one hill station which offers both the tastes of leisure and adventure nicely sewn together over a beautiful Himalayan canvas.

So these are a few offbeat destinations in Uttarakhand which can really take you close to the heart of the Himalayas. If you love to make things more adventurous, you can try some wonderful trekking destinations is the state. Just one request: when you travel to these places be sure to keep the mountains clean and leave behind only the footprints.

By: Suvajit Banerjee

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