The Roopkund Trek is one of Uttarakhand’s most iconic and mysterious high-altitude adventures, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and intriguing history. Located at an altitude of 16,469 ft (5,020 m) in the Chamoli district, Roopkund Lake—famously called Skeleton Lake—is known for the hundreds of ancient human skeletons discovered at its bed, believed to date back centuries.
This trek offers a perfect blend of adventure, mythology, and natural beauty. Beginning from the quaint village of Lohajung, the trail meanders through dense oak and rhododendron forests, past gurgling streams, and into the vast alpine meadows of Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal—among the largest and most scenic in Asia. As you gain altitude, the route transitions into rugged moraines and snowfields, leading to the icy shores of Roopkund.
The journey rewards trekkers with unparalleled Himalayan views, including towering peaks such as Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, and Chaukhamba. Adding to its allure, local legends link the lake’s skeletal remains to mythological tales, making the trek as much a cultural experience as an adventure.
For trekkers seeking a challenging yet deeply rewarding Himalayan journey, the Roopkund Trek delivers a unique combination of natural grandeur, historic mystery, and high-altitude thrill.
Drive Distance: 290 km | Drive Duration: 9 – 10 hours approx. | Pick up point: Near ISBT, Dehradun | Altitude: Lohajung- 2335 m.
Your journey to Lohajung begins with a scenic drive through the heart of Uttarakhand, passing charming hill towns, river valleys, and terraced fields. The route takes you alongside the turquoise waters of the Alaknanda and Pindar Rivers, offering picturesque views at every turn. En route, you’ll cross notable towns like Devprayag (the sacred confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers, marking the beginning of the Ganga), Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag.
As you gain altitude, the pine and deodar forests grow denser, and the crisp mountain air signals your arrival in the Garhwal Himalayas. Lohajung, a quaint Himalayan village surrounded by snow-capped peaks, serves as the base camp for the Roopkund trek. It offers stunning sunset views, local hospitality, and a peaceful atmosphere to rest before your adventure begins.
Drive Distance: 10 km | Drive Duration: 30-40 min approx. | Trek Distance: 6.5 km approx. | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours approx. | Altitude: Gehroli Patal – 3154 m | GPS DATA
After breakfast at Lohajung, we take a short but scenic drive to Wan, one of the last motorable villages on this route. The winding road offers panoramic views of terraced fields, deep valleys, and traditional wooden houses perched on the slopes.
From Wan, the trek begins with a gradual ascent through charming Himalayan hamlets, where you might spot locals going about their daily routines or herds of sheep grazing in the meadows. Soon, the trail enters a dense oak, rhododendron, and walnut forest, with moss-covered trunks and a soft, earthy aroma filling the air. In spring, rhododendrons bloom in shades of pink and red, while in autumn, golden leaves carpet the path.
The climb is steady, with a few short breaks at natural water sources to refresh yourself. As you approach Gehroli Patal, the forest opens into a secluded clearing surrounded by towering oaks and occasional views of distant snow peaks. This tranquil campsite, often wrapped in mist by evening, is the perfect place to unwind. At night, the clear mountain skies offer a brilliant view of the Milky Way, making for a magical start to your Roopkund adventure.
Trek Distance: 5.5 km approx. | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours approx. | Altitude: Aali Bugyal– 3450 m | GPS DATA
The day’s trek takes you from the serene forested campsite of Ghairoli Patal into one of the most breathtaking alpine meadows in the country — Aali Bugyal. The trail begins with a gentle ascent through dense oak and rhododendron forests, where the fresh mountain air and occasional bird calls create a soothing start to the day.
As you climb higher, the tree line gradually recedes, and the landscape opens up to vast, undulating grasslands. The first sight of Aali Bugyal is truly magical — rolling green meadows stretching as far as the eye can see, framed by a stunning panorama of Himalayan peaks including Nanda Ghunti and Trishul.
These high-altitude pastures, dotted with wildflowers in summer, are a photographer’s paradise and an ideal spot to rest, soak in the views, and enjoy the surreal silence of the mountains. The gentle slopes make this section a delight to walk, with every step revealing new perspectives of the surrounding ranges.
Trek Distance: 7 km approx. | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours approx. | Altitude: Pathar Nachauni– 3906 m | GPS DATA
This day’s trek is a spectacular journey through some of the finest high-altitude meadows in the Himalayas. From Aali Bugyal, the trail continues on a gentle undulating path across endless stretches of velvety green, offering uninterrupted views of majestic peaks such as Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.
After an easy walk, you reach Bedni Bugyal, one of the largest alpine meadows in Asia and a place of both natural beauty and spiritual significance. Here, you’ll find the serene Bedni Kund, a small pond surrounded by prayer flags, which holds cultural importance for local communities and is also a popular photography spot. The meadow blooms with vibrant wildflowers in summer, making it a true Himalayan postcard.
From Bedni Bugyal, the trail gradually ascends, and the lush greenery begins to give way to more rugged terrain. As you move closer to Pathar Nachauni, the landscape turns more barren and dramatic, with sweeping views of the valleys below and snow-clad peaks above. Pathar Nachauni, located at an altitude of 3,906 m, serves as an important acclimatization point before the steeper climbs ahead.
Trek Distance: 4 km approx. | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours approx. | Altitude: Bhagwabasa– 4302 m | GPS DATA
This section of the trek is short in distance but challenging in gradient, as you ascend steeply from Pathar Nachauni towards the sacred Kalu Vinayak temple. The trail begins with a demanding climb on zigzagging stone-paved steps, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks as you gain altitude quickly.
The Kalu Vinayak temple, perched at 4,200 m, is a revered shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Trekkers often stop here to rest, seek blessings, and take in the commanding views of Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, and Chaukhamba peaks. From this point onwards, the air grows thinner, and the vegetation becomes sparse, giving the landscape a stark yet stunning high-altitude charm.
From Kalu Vinayak, the trail gradually descends for a short while before traversing across rocky patches and patches of snow (depending on the season). The path to Bhagwabasa is marked by a rugged terrain scattered with loose rocks and boulders, requiring careful footing. Bhagwabasa, at 4,302 m, is the final major campsite before the summit push to Roopkund, surrounded by dramatic high Himalayan scenery.
Trek Distance: 10 km approx. | Trek Duration: 9-10 hours approx. | Altitude: Roopkund– 5020 m | GPS DATA
The big day! We start before dawn, navigating through snow patches and boulder-strewn paths. As the sun rises, the snow-capped peaks turn golden. After a steep final climb, we arrive at Roopkund, the mysterious glacial lake famously known as the Lake of Skeletons.
Adventurous trekkers can proceed a little further to Junargali Pass (subject to weather and fitness), which offers a stunning bird’s-eye view of the surrounding ranges.
After soaking in the beauty and history of the site, we descend back to Patar Nachauni for a well-earned rest.
Trek Distance: 15 km approx. | Trek Duration: 10-12 hours approx. | Altitude: Lohajung– 2335 m | GPS DATA
The final stretch of the trek retraces your route through the vast meadows of Bedni Bugyal, offering sweeping views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.
Visit Bedni Kund, a small lake revered by locals, and soak in the reflections of the surrounding peaks in its crystal-clear waters.
From here, descend through oak and rhododendron forests to Wan Village, before a short drive back to Lohajung (2,335 m), where your Roopkund journey concludes.
Drive Distance: 290 km | Drive Duration: 9 – 10 hours approx. | Last Drop point: Near ISBT, Dehradun | Altitude: Dehradun- 600 m.
Your return journey begins early in the morning from Lohajung. The scenic drive winds through charming mountain villages, dense pine and oak forests, and terraced valleys, offering one last glimpse of the Garhwal Himalayas. En route, you will pass through picturesque hill towns like Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag — each famous for its confluence of sacred rivers, where the Alaknanda meets tributaries to eventually form the holy Ganga.
The route gradually transitions from cool mountain air to the warmer plains as you descend towards Rishikesh/Dehradun. Expect a few tea breaks and lunch stops at local dhabas, perfect for enjoying regional delicacies. By late evening, you will arrive at your drop-off point in Dehradun or Rishikesh, bringing your memorable trek to a close.