Dharamkot at a glance
Dharamkot is a village in the hills above McLeod Ganj (also written McLeodganj, part of Dharamshala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh). The state tourism site describes it as the starting area for Triund. Most visitors come to walk, to stay a few nights above the town or to do both.
This page sticks to what is known about the village and the trails from it. Trail figures come from the Kangra district tourism page, last updated in August 2024, and the rules for treks have changed since then.
The trails that start in Dharamkot
One main route, with more beyond it.
To Triund
The district page gives about 4 hours from Dharamkot to the Triund ridge, one way. Paths from Bhagsunag, Dal Lake and Rawa join the Dharamkot path at the Galu Devi temple on the way up. Plan the descent as well, and start early. The full route, the rules and the camping question are on the Triund trek page.
Beyond Triund
The district page lists Dharamkot at the start of the route through Triund and Laka to the Lahesh Cave and the Indrahar Pass. No paved road leads to these high places, so they are walks and not drives. The pass is a separate high-mountain trek, described on the Kareri Lake page together with Kareri.
Shorter walks
Not every walk has to end at Triund. The village sits among trees and shrines, and the hills above it have mustard fields, as the photo shows. Ask locally which paths are open and keep to them.
Treks and day trips from Dharamkot and McLeod Ganj
Guided hikes and trips in the Dharamshala area, with live prices and availability.
What to check before you walk from Dharamkot
The rules in 2026 are not the same as in older guidebooks.
Permission
A press report of 7 January 2026 describes an order of 6 January. It names police permission for Triund and Kareri and a ban on trekking above 3,000 m on routes in Kangra, and says permissions lapse on a weather warning. Whether the order applies on your date is not settled. Ask your accommodation or a licensed guide.
The waste deposit
A report of 18 August 2026 describes a refundable INR 500 deposit for Triund. You bring non-biodegradable waste back and show the bag and the entry receipt, or the deposit is forfeited. It is not an entry fee.
Fees and guides
Check forest fees, child rules and any guide requirement at the trail start, not on a booking page.
Weather
At the Dharamshala weather station, October averages 25.6 °C by day and 14.2 °C at night with 52.6 mm of rain. July averages 859.0 mm and August 942.3 mm. About 81 percent of the yearly rain falls from June to September. These are town averages for 1991 to 2020, and higher ground is cooler. See the weather page.
Staying in Dharamkot
The village lies above McLeod Ganj and is useful if you want an early start on the trail. It is not next to the Tsuglagkhang temple complex in town, so check the distance to the places you plan to visit. The where to stay page compares Dharamkot with McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu and Naddi.
Foreign guests need their accommodation to register them with the police on a C-form. The host will ask for your passport and a valid visa. Keep copies. A copy of the C-form is also needed if you register for a teaching with the Dalai Lama's office.
Cafés, as in the photo, are part of the village. Opening hours and menus change, so look when you arrive. For getting to the area, see getting there.
Safety on the trails
From the UK government's travel guidance for India, updated in October 2026.
Go with others
It recommends groups, reputable local guides and established routes, and checking whether a permit is needed. Tell your accommodation where you are going and when you plan to be back.
Hazards
It names altitude sickness, sudden weather changes, avalanches and snowdrifts, landslides, floods and rockfall. Insurance should cover altitudes above 2,400 m and mountain and helicopter rescue.
Nearby on this guide
Places within reach of Dharamkot.
Dharamkot: frequently asked questions
Where is Dharamkot?
It is a village in the hills above McLeod Ganj, which is part of Dharamshala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The state tourism site describes it as the starting area for Triund.
How long is the walk from Dharamkot to Triund?
The district page gives about 4 hours one way. The page was last updated in 2024. Add time for the descent.
Do I need a permit to walk from Dharamkot?
For Triund and Kareri, a report on an order of 6 January 2026 names police permission. Whether it applies on your date is not settled.
Can I drive from Dharamkot to Triund?
No. The district page describes the high places on this route as walks, and no paved road leads to them.
What is the INR 500 deposit?
A refundable waste deposit for Triund, reported since 11 August 2026. You bring back non-biodegradable waste and show the bag and the receipt. It is not an entry fee.
Do I need to register as a foreign guest?
Your accommodation registers you on a C-form and asks for your passport and a valid visa.