Triund Trek Guide 2026: Route From McLeod Ganj, Entry Fee, Camping Rules and Snowline

01Triund at a Glance

• Height: about 2,850 m (roughly 9,350 ft)
• Start: Gallu Devi temple above Dharamkot, or Dharamkot / McLeod Ganj
• Distance: about 7 km from Gallu, 9 km from McLeod Ganj, one way
• Time: 3 to 4 hours up, 2 to 3 hours down
• Difficulty: easy to moderate; the last part is steep switchbacks
• Best season: March to June and September to December

02The Route

Most people take a taxi or walk to the Gallu Devi temple, above Dharamkot, which shortens the walk. From there a stone-paved trail climbs through oak and rhododendron forest, with tea stalls at intervals. Halfway up is the Magic View cafe, a classic rest stop. The final kilometre is a series of steep switchbacks, known locally as the 22 curves, that bring you out onto the Triund ridge.

The path is wide and well used, which makes Triund a good choice for first-timers. It is still a steady climb of about 800 m from Gallu, so take it at an even pace and drink often.

03Entry Fee, Daily Cap and Camping Rules

From late 2023, the Eco Tourism Society of Dharamshala, under the Forest Department, introduced a fee of 200 rupees per person for the Triund trek, collected at a check post near Gallu, along with a daily cap of 400 trekkers. Staying overnight carries an additional charge, reported at 1,000 rupees, and camping on the ridge is limited to about 20 tents and 40 people. The forest department said the rules followed a direction from the Himachal Pradesh High Court to regulate tourism on the summit.

Kangra district has also restricted trekking at higher altitudes during monsoon alerts, and has required prior permission from the Superintendent of Police for treks such as Triund and Kareri in some periods, with permissions revoked automatically when weather warnings are issued.

04Staying Overnight

Watching the sun set on the Dhauladhar and rise over the Kangra valley is the main reason to stay. Within the camping limits, you can stay with an organised group or a licensed tent provider, and a forest rest house sits on the ridge. Nights are cold even in summer, and in winter they go well below freezing.

Carry all your rubbish down. Triund's waste problem was one of the reasons for the new rules, and the ridge is easily damaged by large numbers of tents.

05Snowline and Laka Got

Above Triund the path continues for about an hour to the Snowline cafe area, where for much of the year you reach old snow, and then to Laka Got at about 3,350 m, below the Indrahar Pass. These extensions bring you much closer to the Dhauladhar wall but are rougher and more exposed.

Going beyond Triund is where the district's high-altitude restrictions are most likely to apply, and Indrahar Pass, at over 4,300 m, is a serious mountain crossing that needs experience and a guide. Check current rules before heading above the ridge.

06Best Time to Go

• March to June: pleasant days, clear views, rhododendrons in spring; busy
• July to August: monsoon cloud and heavy rain; landslides and restrictions are likely
• September to November: the clearest views of the year
• December to February: snow on the ridge in some years; very cold, and the upper trail can be icy

07Getting to McLeod Ganj

• By air: Gaggal (Kangra) airport, about an hour by road
• By rail: Pathankot is the nearest broad-gauge station, about 3-4 hours by road
• By bus: overnight Volvo buses run from Delhi to McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala
• Taxis from McLeod Ganj can take you to Gallu Devi temple

08What to Carry

• Cash for the entry fee and tea stalls
• Two litres of water; buy more at the stalls if needed
• A warm layer and rain jacket, whatever the season
• Trekking shoes; the stone path is slippery when wet
• A headlamp if you are staying overnight or starting late