Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

Lohajung is the base camp for the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek. The best way to reach here is from Kathgodam. The route, once you cross Nainital, is beautiful. You drive along mountain roads, and through forests. You also get glimpses of the Garhwal mountains in the distance on a clear day.Once you reach Lohajung, you find yourself face to face with the beautiful Nanda Ghunti peak. Lohajung is at the centre of 7-8 nearby villages. There are a couple of local stores where you can buy jackets, hand gloves, caps, shoes etc. if need be. However, it is advised that you carry all the required things for the trek beforehand and not rely on these shops. You will have a mobile network in most parts of Lohajung. Lohajung, as the locals say, is the place where Goddess Parvati had a war (Jung) with the demon, Lohasur. Hence, the name translates to ‘War with Lohasur.’

You’ll start by taking a vehicle from Lohajung to Wan. It’s a drive of about 45 mins. The initial trail from Wan is cemented through a cluster of houses. 15 minutes into your trek, you will find a cluster of centuries-old Cypress trees. From here, there are two trails you can spot. One goes straight ahead to the ridge. The second one acts as a deviation from the Latu Devta temple. Latu Devta is a local deity, who is believed to protect the area. The mountain folk pay obeisance to him before ascending higher on the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra. Ring the temple bell here for a safe trek before going back to the ascending trail to the ridge – Ranaka Dhar. It takes 35-45 minutes to ascend from Wan to Ranaka Dhar. From here, it is a short descent to the iconic Neel Ganga. The bridge on Neel Ganga is an idyllic location to take a breather. Trees overhang the river and the water trips and fall over boulders in the shade. The water here is cool and refreshing. From here begins the beautiful continuous ascent to the first campsite, Gehroli Patal. The trail now winds through Oak and Rhododendron forests and the path is strewn with dry leaves that crunch and crackle beneath your trekking shoes. There are walnut, pear, Himalayan roses and other flora you can find on this climb. You may even spot birds like a flycatcher, and magpies. Keep a lookout. This is a trek of about 3 hours that brings you to a clearing with a green trekker’s hut and the welcome sight of Trishul. This is Gehroli Patal. On a clear day, you get astounding views of Mt Trishul commandeering over the area. We will set up camp here.

Start your day with a climb through the oak and Rhododendron forest. The trail takes a steep ascent and crosses the tree line, leading you straight to Bedni Bugyal. Far ahead, hundreds of meters is the famous Bedni Kund. From here, just 800 metres away is the highest point on the trek, the Bedni Top. You get the best views from the top. Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti appear right in front of you. The weather fluctuates in these parts and you can have moments of wild sunshine followed by anxious cloud cover. Keep your raincoat handy. Sometimes it rains for a few minutes leaving you frustrated, at times it could rain for a few hours. From Bedni Top, descend down to the main trail. You need to stick to this main trail. This is the trail which takes one to the famous trek of Roopkund. The opposite side is Ali Bugyal and takes the gradual descent. Takes a sharp turn on the ledge hugging the mountains. Now leisurely walk your way to Ali Bugyal, 2 km away and more or less at the same level. From Ali Bugyal, Abin Kharak campsite is on the left side of the ridge and in a depression in the bugyal. We will set up camp here.

Take some time in the morning to soak in the mesmerizing sight of the undulating meadows of Ali Bugyal. If you are tempted to take off your shoes and allow the feel of the carpet on your toes, just go ahead and do it! You are on the top of a ridge that spreads in every direction. Acres and acres of green meadow scooped out of the mountainside. Today's trek is all about descending from Abhin Kharak and reaching Didna. Start your day and about 1.5 km later, the landscape suddenly opens up. Walk for about 1.5 - 2 km, you'll see Mt Chaukhambha behind you on the right. Though far away, you can identify the peak. Don't miss to turn back and see the view as you are trekking down. From here, you will further descend down to Tolpani. The forest continues to flaunt the trail on either side. You reach Tolpani, a cluster of shepherds’ huts 3 km away and 1,000 ft lower. Continue to walk on the ridge through the forest section. You need to take the trail to the right. The descent, however, is a good one through some of the densest oak and rhododendrons you’ll see. Under you is a never-ending brown carpet of leaves. The forest keeps changing every half an hour and perhaps is one of the most untouched sections until you reach Didna. Didna is an ideal campsite with a clear stream running down to its right. This campsite gives you the experience of camping in one of the most remote villages of Uttarakhand. The campsite gazes across the valley. Lohajung, Kulling and Wan span left to right in a sweep.

Today's trek starts with a steep zig-zag descent from Didna. Stick to the trail that goes around the village on the outer periphery — they lead directly from the Didna campsite, a clearing 200 ft below the village. The descent is steep and your legs can tire easily. Your next stop is to reach the iron bridge over the river. All along your walk to Raun Bagad, you hear the whistles of the thrushes and the soft chirps of the swallows among the rhododendrons. This is Raun Bagad, a grassy bank on the river – a good place to camp. Below, the Wan river tumbles about as it rushes to meet the Bedni Ganga and seemingly out of the depths of the river, you’ll spot Lammergeiers, their massive wings stretched out catching the eddies. From the iron bridge, Lohajung is two hours away from here. From here, you have one trail that goes to Kulling and the other one takes you to Lohajung. The route of Kulling village is quite an ascent from the Wan river. This is a shortcut one can take. However, the trail is very much exposed and steep. You gain elevation very rapidly. Kulling is a cluster of 20-odd houses set against the emerald green of stepped hills. You take a vehicle to Lohajung from here. The other trail some trekkers take to Lohajung is a well-marked trail with a gradual ascend through mixed forests. Have lunch in one of the clearings on your way to Lohajung. This is a much more gradual ascent to reach Lohajung. You are expected to reach Lohajung by 2-3 pm.

Reach Rishikesh; 10-11 hours drive from Lohajung.

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