Triund Trek
Himachal Pradesh, India
The classic Dhauladhar ridge walk above McLeod Ganj: a steep forest climb to open meadows at 2,850 m, the valley on one side and high peaks on the other.
Up to the ridge
I walked up to Triund on 11 June 2025, starting from above McLeod Ganj. The trail climbs steadily through oak and rhododendron forest, with a few stone-stepped switchbacks near the top that feel much longer than they are. By early afternoon I was out of the trees and onto the open grass of the ridge.
The top
Triund is a long, flat meadow at around 2,850 metres. On one side the Kangra valley drops away; on the other the Dhauladhar peaks rise straight up. That day the clouds were rolling through the valley, so the view came and went — one minute a wall of grey, the next a gap showing forest ridges stacked all the way down.
Carrying on
Most people stop at Triund, camp for the night and walk down in the morning. I kept going: by evening I was past Triund on the rocky ground below Snowline, at just over 3,100 metres, with storm clouds sitting on the peaks and boulders all around. The next morning was the push to Laka Glacier.
Worth knowing
- It's a good first Himalayan trek — steady, well-marked and doable in a day
- The last stretch is the steepest; pace yourself
- Weather changes fast up here, especially from June
More trail advice in Himachal treks for beginners.
