Kedarnath

Know the trail before you step on it - difficulty, permits, weather, guide need and route clarity in one place.

Moderate Autumn
Explore Pilgrimage

Trek safety, weather & access status

Generally safe to travel Open to trek May–Oct

Advisory

No active alerts. Carry layers, keep emergency contacts handy and check local conditions before you set out.

Live weather

3°C Overcast
  • Feels 0°C
  • 6 km/h wind
  • 85% humidity

Mountain weather changes quickly. Treat this as a planning signal, not a final safety clearance - confirm locally before you set out.

Emergency & official

112 National emergency 1363 Tourist helpline
Difficulty Moderate
Max altitude 3,583 m
Distance 16 km one way
Duration 2 days
Best time May to June, September to October
Fitness Moderate - a long uphill walk; ponies and palki available
Start point Gaurikund
End point Gaurikund
No permit needed

DIY Trek Readiness: can you go self-planned?

Beginners Some experience helps
Guide Optional / self-guided
Permit Not needed
Fitness Moderate - a long uphill walk; ponies and palki available
Trail clarity Clear
Network on trail Patchy
Max altitude 3,583 m
Best season May to Jun, Sep to Oct
Languages Hindi, Garhwali
How is this score calculated?

This is a DIY-readiness gauge - how do-able it is to plan and travel yourself. Destinations show it as a 0-5 DIY Score; treks & routes as a 0-10 Score (a wider scale for the extra variables they carry). Both are built from these factors:

  • SafetyLocal safety, terrain and current advisory conditions along the route.
  • Transport accessHow easily you can reach the place and move around without your own vehicle.
  • NetworkMobile signal and data coverage you can expect on the way.
  • Season reliabilityHow dependable the weather and season window is for travel.
  • Budget clarityHow predictable day-to-day costs are, with few surprises.
  • Trail / route clarityHow well-marked and easy to follow the route or trail is.
  • Stay availabilityThe choice and reliability of places to stay along the way.
  • First-timer friendlinessHow forgiving it is for a first-time independent traveller.
  • Solo / women comfortHow comfortable and safe it is for solo and women travellers.
  • Local supportAvailability of guides, hosts and on-the-ground help if you need it.
Read the full method →

Readiness verdict

  • Best forFit beginners to intermediate trekkers
  • Not ideal forAnyone not up for long walking days or sudden weather
  • Go DIY only ifYou can manage long walking days, basic navigation and changing mountain weather.
Guide: Optional Permit: Not needed Network: Patchy
Plan it yourself

The DIY deep-dive

Kedarnath is at its best in May to June, September to October. It covers about 16 km one way, runs over 2 days, tops out near 3,583 m.

DIY route options

The classic route Start from Gaurikund and follow the standard 2-day line - the most reliable, well-trodden way to do it.
Time it by season Plan around May to June, September to October for the best weather, views and open access.

What most travellers miss

  • Download offline maps and share your plan first - the mobile network here is patchy to none.
  • Do not rush past Guptkashi - most people treat it as a quick stop, but it is worth a slower evening.
  • Time it for May to June, September to October. Outside that window, snow, weather or road closures can cut access.

Where to base yourself

Kedarnath Trailhead base - last shops, network and gear before you set off.
Guptkashi A key stop on the route - where the trek halts for the night.

DIY is the main way - this is the upgrade

Need expert help planning this trek?

Prefer not to manage permits, guide coordination, stays and route pacing yourself? We can help you turn this trek into a private, supported experience for your dates, group size and comfort level.

  • Permit and guide coordination
  • Private group support
  • Route pacing and halt planning
  • Stay, meals and local logistics
Enquire for pricing Enquire on WhatsApp

About this trek

Kedarnath is the highest of the Panch Kedar and a Char Dham temple, set under the Kedarnath peak at 3,583m. The stone temple is reached by a 16km trek (or pony/palki) from Gaurikund. Open roughly May to October.

Essential packing list

  • Trekking shoes with grip
  • Warm base layer + fleece
  • Down jacket / warm jacket
  • Rain shell / poncho
  • Headlamp + extra batteries
  • Water bottle / hydration bladder
  • Sunglasses, cap, sunscreen
  • Personal medicines
  • Power bank
  • Offline maps
  • Cash and ID copies
  • Permit documents, if applicable

Map

Nearby route landmarks & places to know

Tap “Get directions” to open any spot straight in Google Maps.

Chorabari Lake

1.6 km from Gaurikund, Uttarakhand centre

Chorabari Lake, also known as Gandhi Sarovar, was a glacial lake at the snout of the Chorabari Glacier at an altitude of 3,900 m (12,800 ft). It was about 2 km (1.2 mi) upstream from the town of Kedarnath in the India…

Get directions Learn more

Sumeru Parbat

6.8 km from Gaurikund, Uttarakhand centre

Sumeru Parbat is a 6,350-metre (20,830 ft) high mountain in the Gangotri Glacier region of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. The mountain is encircled by Kedarnath and Kedardome in the north, Kharchakund in the we…

Get directions Learn more

Kedarnath (mountain)

6.8 km from Gaurikund, Uttarakhand centre

Kedarnath and Kedarnath Dome are two mountains in the Gangotri Group of peaks in the western Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand state, India. Kedarnath (Main) lies on the main ridge that lies south of the Gangotri Glacie…

Get directions Learn more

Kedarnath Glacier

7.4 km from Gaurikund, Uttarakhand centre

Kedarnath Glacier is located in Garhwal Himalaya mountain ranges, in the state of Uttarakhand, India.

Get directions Learn more

Kharchakund

7.9 km from Gaurikund, Uttarakhand centre

Kharchakund is a mountain of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand, India. The elevation of Kharchakund is 6,612 metres (21,693 ft) and its prominence is 835 metres (2,740 ft). It is 64th highest located entirely within…

Get directions Learn more

Stay & food planning around the trailhead

Base and stock up at the trailhead before you start; on the trail expect basic halts and simple meals - tea stops and packed snacks, with no cafe-style reliability once you set off.

Stay

Indore House

Indore House, Kedarnath Temple Road, Kedarnath -, Uttarakhand, India

0.0 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Patiyala Punjab Guest House

Patiyala Punjab Guest House, Kedarnath Temple Road, Kedarnath -, Uttarakhand, India

0.1 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Punjab & Sindh Niwas

Punjab & Sindh Niwas, Kedarnath Temple Road, Kedarnath -, Uttarakhand, India

0.1 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Meerut Mandal And Mewar Sadan

Meerut Mandal And Mewar Sadan, Kedarnath Temple Road, Kedarnath -, Uttarakhand, India

0.1 km away Open in Maps

Stay

New Himachal House

New Himachal House, Kedarnath Temple Road, Kedarnath -, Uttarakhand, India

0.1 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Kedarnath Temple Road

Kedarnath Temple Road, Kedarnath -, Uttarakhand, India

0.1 km away Open in Maps

Stay

SSS Residency

SSS Residency, Kedarnath Temple Road, Kedarnath -, Uttarakhand, India

0.1 km away Open in Maps

Stay

Kedarnath Temple Road

Kedarnath Temple Road, Kedarnath -, Uttarakhand, India

0.1 km away Open in Maps

Frequently asked questions about Kedarnath

What is the best time to do the Kedarnath?

The best time for the Kedarnath is May to June, September to October.

How difficult is the Kedarnath?

The Kedarnath tops out near 3,583 m.

How long is the Kedarnath?

It covers about 16 km one way and takes around 2 days.

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