Triund Trek Distance, Height & Starting Points
How far is Triund, how high is it and where should you start? The three routes from McLeod Ganj compared, with distances, times and landmarks.
By Himalayan Locals Editorial Team
Triund is the grassy ridge above McLeod Ganj where most travellers first stand face to face with the Dhauladhar range. How far you walk to reach it depends entirely on where you begin. There are three common starting points, and the difference between them is greater than most maps suggest.
Triund in numbers
| Detail | Triund |
|---|---|
| Height of the ridge | About 2,850 to 2,875 m above sea level (roughly 9,350 to 9,430 ft) |
| Location | Above McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh |
| One-way distance | About 5.5 to 6 km from Galu Devi Temple; about 9 km on foot from McLeod Ganj |
| Time to the top | Typically 3 to 5 hours, depending on your start and pace |
| Skill needed | None technical; suited to active beginners with a steady pace |
The three ways up to Triund
| Starting point | One-way distance · character |
|---|---|
| Galu Devi Temple, above Dharamkot | About 5.5 to 6 km · the most-walked trail, with tea stalls and the Magic View café on the way |
| McLeod Ganj on foot, via Dharamkot | About 9 km · adds a steep village road before joining the Galu trail |
| Bhagsu Square, via Bhagsu Waterfall | About 6 km · a quieter forest route; our cottage sits roughly 3.5 km up |
Most day walkers take a taxi from McLeod Ganj to Galu Devi Temple above Dharamkot, where the forest check post stands, and follow the marked trail from there. It is a clear path that climbs steadily through oak and rhododendron forest, passes the Magic View café about halfway, and finishes with a steep, zigzagging final stretch onto the meadow. On weekends and holidays it is busy.
Walking all the way from McLeod Ganj simply adds the road through Dharamkot to the same trail. It saves a taxi but adds distance and height before the real climb begins, so it suits strong walkers with an early start.
The Bhagsu route starts in the village of Bhagsu, climbs past Bhagsu Waterfall and continues on older forest paths. It is quieter and greener, with fewer tea stalls and far fewer groups. The paths branch in places, so it is best walked with someone who knows them.
How long the Triund trek takes
From Galu Devi Temple, most walkers reach Triund in three to five hours, depending on fitness, weather and how often they stop. The descent is usually quicker, but it is harder on the knees and is where most slips happen, so leave plenty of daylight for it.
| Section on the Bhagsu route | Distance · time |
|---|---|
| Bhagsu Square to our cottage, via the waterfall | Approx. 3.5 km · about 3 hours with stops |
| Cottage to the Triund ridge | Approx. 2.5 km · about 2 hours with short stops |
| Triund back down to Bhagsu | Approx. 7 km · about 4 hours with breaks |
Snowline, Laka Glacier and Indrahar Pass
Triund is where most walkers stop, but the trail carries on. Above the meadow lies the Snowline area and Laka Glacier, and far beyond them Indrahar Pass, at about 4,342 m, crosses the Dhauladhar ridge. These are longer and more serious undertakings than Triund itself, with seasons that depend on snow. On our private trek they can be added as extensions, quoted separately, with a porter included.
Would you rather walk the quiet Bhagsu route and break the climb with a night in a warm room? See the private Triund trek with a heated cottage stay.
More planning: Best Time for the Triund Trek · Triund Trek Rules, Entry Fee & Camping · How to Reach Triund from Delhi · Triund Trek in Winter · Triund for Beginners & Families · Where to Stay on the Triund Trek · Triund Trek Difficulty: The Bhagsu Route · Triund Trek for Couples
Plan your private Triund trek
- Private Premium Triund Trek & Heated Cottage Stay · 2 days / 1 night: A dedicated guide, a bukhari-heated cottage room 2.5 km below Triund, mountain cottage meals and McLeod Ganj hotel pickup. Couple ₹12,500, solo ₹7,000, small group ₹5,000 pp, plus 5% GST.
Travel questions
How many kilometres is the Triund trek?
About 5.5 to 6 km one way from Galu Devi Temple, about 9 km on foot from McLeod Ganj, and about 6 km from Bhagsu Square on the quieter Bhagsu route.
What is the height of Triund?
The Triund ridge sits at about 2,850 to 2,875 m above sea level, roughly 9,350 to 9,430 ft.
Where does the Triund trek start?
Most walkers start at Galu Devi Temple above Dharamkot, where the forest check post is. You can also walk from McLeod Ganj through Dharamkot, or take the quieter route from Bhagsu Square via Bhagsu Waterfall.
Can the Triund trek be done in one day?
Yes. Fit walkers often go up and down in a day from Galu Devi Temple with an early start. Splitting it over two days, with a night partway up, makes it far more comfortable.