INTRODUCTION:

Situated around 12,000 feet up in the Himalayas, the Brahmatal Trek is famous among trekkers from all over the world. Providing an adventurous blend of challenging trails and scintillating beauty, the Brahmatal Trek is also one of the most sought-after treks in the entire world. Tucked in the mighty Himalayas, this trek remains covered under quite a few meters of snow and offers some of the most beautiful sights of the surrounding landscapes.

Overview:

The Brahmatal Trek is complete with scenic landscapes, lush forests, and panoramic views of the Himalayas in addition to the uneven and varied terrain. Spanning over 22 kilometres, this trek becomes even more popular during the winters, when the whole region is covered in a thick blanket of white snow. Eventually, upon completing the trek, one comes across the frozen Brahmatal Lake and Brahmatal Peak.

The Brahmatal Trek is not only grand but also beautiful. The frozen lake, with the majestic Himalayas shadowing it on all sides, is a sight to witness upon. The trek, with its mesmerizing ambiance, caters to both amateur as well as experienced trekkers as they walk through forests of oaks and fir trees across gradually ascending slopes. The Brahmatal Trek is one of the only treks in the Garhwal region where one can not just explore the Himalayas, but also soak in the beauty that it has to offer while doing something adventurous.

• How to reach?

The Brahmatal Trek is situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The easiest way to reach this trek is by reaching the Kathgodam Station, which is one of the main stations in the region and is quite old. The station is easily accessible from all the major cities in India, including New Delhi, Kolkata, and Lucknow, amongst others.

Additionally, One can also reach Kathgodam by air. The nearest airport is the Pantnagar Airport which is located around 70 kilometers from Kathgodam and is accessible by most of the major cities in India.

Alternatively, one can avail of the regular bus services from ISBT Delhi (Anand Vihar Bus Station) to Kathgodam. Most buses, which is going to Nainital, generally stop at Haldwani, which is a twin town to Kathgodam.

• Best season to visit

The best season to visit this Brahmatal Trek is during the winter season, between the months of November to February. Not only is this a great time for trekking in a blanket of white snow, but this season also boasts of some of the most picturesque views of the sunrise and sunset.

Additionally, it is during this season when one can get to see the most beautiful views of the ice-capped peaks of Nanda Ghunta, Mount Trishul, the Jatropani Peak as well as Garhwal’s second-highest peak called Kamet. On a clear winter night, while trekking, one can also see some of the most magical views of the clear starry sky as well as the galaxies, which are otherwise quite difficult.

Brahmatal Trek:

The Brahmatal Trek is based in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand in the northern part of the country. Being a part of the Garhwal Himalayas, this region has its own local traditions, historical significance, and religious beliefs which make it stand out from the rest of the state.

This rich heritage of this place is widely evident in the lifestyle of the locals here. The locals here are quite tough and hardworking and also believe a lot in physical labor. In addition to being quite honest, the locals here in the Brahmatal Trek region are also very simple and shy people, divided mostly into Brahmins, Rajputs, and Harijans.

Moderate-level difficulty

This trek is also known as a trek of moderate-level difficulty, the Brahmatal Trek has varied elevation points. Offering trekkers some of the clearest and most picturesque views of Mount Trishul and Nanda Ghunti, the Brahmatal Trek begins from Kathgodam which is situated at an altitude of 1,483 feet with Lohajung serving as the base camp of the trek. Lohajung is located at 7,600 feet and the entire journey from Kathgodam to the base camp is quite scenic, with mesmerizing views of various Himalayan peaks.

After Lohajung, the next elevation point comes at Bekaltal, which is based at an elevation of 9,885 feet above sea level and has a moderate ascent. The trek to Brahmatal will commence from Bekaltal, with steep ascents and gradual descents eventually taking you up to 10,440 feet. The final elevation point in this trek will be at Brahmatal Peak, situated at an elevation of over 12,000 feet above sea level.

5 to 6-day trek:

The Brahmatal Trek is a 5 to 6-day trek, which covers a distance of around 20 kilometers. This scenic trek is one that takes trekkers through forests, lakes, and meadows, all the way to the top of the mountain. The trek is moderately difficult since the entire route is conveniently and comfortably distributed on different days.

Moreover, the trails have low gradual ascents, with a few steep ascents at higher altitudes. And since a large part of the trek is under forest cover, there are fewer risks of anyone having altitude sickness. From stargazing and walking through forests to soaking in the beauty of vividly colored flowers as well as lakeside camping, the Brahmatal Trek is nothing short of magical.