Here’s why Deoriatal-Chopta-Chandrashila Trek is a beginner’s favourite

The Deoriatal-Chopta-Chandrashila Trek is a popular trekking route located in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. It offers a breathtaking journey through the picturesque landscapes of the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. For anyone who is new to trekking or is planning to take up trekking as an outdoor adventure activity, the Deoriatal-Chopta-Chandrashila Trek is a must-try. And here’s why:

The trek usually starts from the village of Sari, from where you hike to Deoriatal. Deoriatal is a beautiful lake situated at an altitude of around 2,438 metres. The trek to Deoriatal is relatively easy and takes you through dense forests of oak, rhododendron, and pine trees.

The hike to the lake side has a good amount of elevation to it. The path is a little rough so make sure you wear good sturdy shoes and have a walking pole. Not too far from the starting point, you will find an old Shiva temple built in the traditional Nagara style of architecture.

Deoriatal lake offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Chaukhamba. If you can, avoid trekking in monsoon season. Mountains like Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, Bandarpunch, Kedar Range, and Kalanag can be viewed from here.

From Deoriatal, the trek continues to Chopta, which is often referred to as the Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand due to its scenic beauty. Chopta is located at an altitude of around 2,680 metres and serves as a base camp for various treks in the region.

​The trail to Chopta passes through meadows and offers panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. Peaks like Meru, Sumeru, Ganesh Parwat, Chaukhamba, Bandarpunch, Nilkantha, Trisuli and Nanda Devi are some of the peaks that are clearly visible from Chopta. To camp at Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, you will need to obtain permission from the Forest Department Office.

The trek then proceeds to the Tungnath Temple which is situated at an altitude of approximately 3,680 metres. It is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world. The temple is an important part of the Panch Kedar circuit.

There are not a lot of people who take out time to look around while trekking. In this area, you should, else you will miss out on so many interesting plant species found in this area. Take for instance, the Himalayan snake lily. It’s an easy to miss plant but they look so fascinating.

The final leg of the trek takes you to Chandrashila, which is the highest point of the trek. To get to Chandrashila Peak, the way forward from Tungnath Temple is rough and steep. So maintain the slow and steady pace. Enroute you will get spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba. The highlight of reaching Chandrashila is witnessing a breathtaking sunrise or sunset from the summit.