Trek Himachal

Triund

District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Position – N32 15.713 E76 21.246

Altitude – 2810 metres

Part of Treks:

1. Over Indrahar Pass

2. Thathri-Bhagsunag

Triund lies on the trail of Indrahar pass and like Indrahar, is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Western Himachal. Being a short walk from Dharamkot, it is a popular day and overnight trekking destination. The trail is through pine jungle, then oak jungle, then oaks and rocks, then Triund, then oak clusters and then bare rocks to Indrahar. Triund is not a village or a settlement, just a temporary stop for trekkers but if you are there, you wont believe it. At any time, you will find 30-50 people and a few tents pitched on the Triund grasslands. And like in all such places, a Forest Rest House with 4 rooms and of late with a small structure which houses toilets. Given there are no significant places on the trail further from Triund, the only reason for a Forest Rest House of the British era can only be explained by the British love for everything cold.

With mobile service hardly available apart from on a small rock; where you have to hold the cell high, point it towards the tower in Dharamkot and hope for the best, Triund is also quiet though not enough. It however is the gateway to a lot of quietness. The views northwards are bliss, particularly in spring and summer. It snows heavily in winter but when the snow melts in spring and Triund becomes accessible, you can see the Dhauladhars in all their glory, including the Indrahar just a stone's throw away. To a nature lover like me, the sight of Dhauladhars full of snow in summer is heaven and it just does not get any better. The first time I went to Triund and looked at the snow laden peaks, I was suddenly aware of what made Jahangir repeat an Amir Khusrow couplet about Kashmir.

اگر فردوس بر روے زمین است
همین است و همین است و همین است

Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast,
Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast.

If there is any paradise on the face of the earth,
It is here, it is here, it is here.

Before I am found out, the Urdu above is a copy paste from Wikipedia but the feeling is completely original, no exaggerations.

As a commercial trekking destination should be, Triund is pretty well equipped with its share of a couple of cafes, 2-3 shops who will happily serve you maggi or anything else they can. The charges are heavy though because everything is brought up on a mule and MRP does not apply. For Geocachers, there are geocaches hidden around Triund.

So, if you want to trek but not long or are sure you cannot trek long, want the most out of an overnight trek from a tourist place, want to get close to the Dhauladhars without touching them, you go to Triund. If you want more from life, you go further.

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