The Triund trek at a glance
Triund is the best-known hike from McLeod Ganj (also written McLeodganj, and part of Dharamshala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh). The trail climbs through forest to an open ridge below the Dhauladhar peaks. Several paths lead up and they meet at the Galu Devi temple, so you can start from Dharamkot, Bhagsunag, Dal Lake or Rawa.
The figures below come from the district tourism page, which was last updated in August 2024. Rules for the trail have changed since then, so read the sections on permits and the waste deposit before you plan a date.
Route: from McLeod Ganj to the ridge
The district page counts 9 km from McLeod Ganj. Paths from Dharamkot, Bhagsunag, Dal Lake and Rawa join at the Galu Devi temple, which it places at 2,130 m. From Dharamkot the page gives about 4 hours to Triund. That is a one-way figure, so plan the descent on top of it and start early enough to be back before dark.
The height of the ridge itself is not settled. The same page gives 2,875 m in a heading and 2,975 m in the text. Treat it as somewhere between those two numbers. No total ascent is published, so do not work it out from the two heights.
The trail is rocky in places and runs through forest for much of the way. Wear shoes with grip and carry water.
Our picks: Triund tours
A guided day hike or a two-day trek with a tent night; check each listing for fees and permits.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided Triund day hike from McLeod Ganj
A licensed guide for about four hours, with no tent or overnight stay. The entry fee and transport are not included, and the tour is not for children under 8.
Check availability →
Two-day Triund trek with a tent night
A local trekking guide, a support team and a two-person dome tent at Leta Camp, with vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Forest entry or a trekking permit, if due, plus transfers and lunch are extra, according to the provider.
Check availability →Triund and Dhauladhar tours from McLeod Ganj
Guided treks and day trips in the Dharamshala area, with live prices and availability.
Triund permits and rules in 2026
Three things to know before you go. Check each one again close to your date.
Police permission
A press report of 7 January 2026 describes an order of 6 January. It names a police permission for Triund and Kareri and a ban on trekking above 3,000 m on routes in Kangra. It also says permissions lapse when the weather service issues a warning. Whether the order still applies in October is not settled, so do not assume the trail is free of rules and do not assume it is closed. Ask your accommodation or a licensed local guide for the current status.
The INR 500 waste deposit
A press report of 18 August 2026 describes a refundable deposit of INR 500, started on 11 August 2026 and attributed to the Forest Department. You bring back non-biodegradable waste and show the bag and your entry receipt. If you do not hand it in, the deposit is forfeited. This is a deposit on top of the other access rules, not a new flat entry fee.
Forest fees
The current forest fee by nationality or age, any child exemption and any guide requirement should be checked at the start of the trail before you pay for anything online. A fee quoted on a booking page is not proof of what the trail office charges.
Triund camping: what to check first
Camping on the ridge is the reason many people go, but there is no current rule you can quote with confidence. Do not assume that tents can go up anywhere, and do not assume that camping has been stopped. Tent packages sold online are not a permit. Ask which campsites are approved, how many tents the ridge takes and whether you may stay overnight on the date you want.
If you camp, the waste deposit applies to you as much as to day hikers. Pack out everything that does not rot, including food wrappers and bottles.
Some people prefer a day hike and an overnight stay in town, for example in Dharamkot. See where to stay for how the neighborhoods compare.
Triund weather by month
Long-term averages for the Dharamshala weather station, 1991 to 2020. Triund is higher, so expect colder nights and quicker changes than these numbers show.
| Month | Mean daily high | Mean daily low | Rain per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.0 °C | 5.9 °C | 83.6 mm |
| April | 26.9 °C | 14.8 °C | 65.7 mm |
| June | 30.9 °C | 20.5 °C | 279.0 mm |
| July | 27.5 °C | 19.7 °C | 859.0 mm |
| August | 26.6 °C | 19.2 °C | 942.3 mm |
| September | 26.8 °C | 17.8 °C | 377.7 mm |
| October | 25.6 °C | 14.2 °C | 52.6 mm |
| November | 22.0 °C | 10.2 °C | 18.8 mm |
About 81 percent of the yearly rain falls from June to September, with July and August the wettest. October and November are the drier months on average. That says nothing about the day you plan to walk, so check the forecast the evening before and again in the morning. Snow depth cannot be read from these figures. See the weather page for the full year.
Beyond Triund: Snowline and Indrahar
The district page names a place called Ilaqa at 3,350 m, about 5 km beyond Triund, and calls it the Snowline. That is a place name, not the line where snow lies on a given day. It sits above the 3,000 m limit in the January order, so check the rules before you plan to go past the ridge.
The route continues toward the Indrahar Pass, which is a separate high-mountain trek. See the Kareri Lake page for the pass and for an alternative trek that starts elsewhere. Do not head for a pass in or after snow.
Safety on the trail
Advice from the UK government's travel guidance for India, updated in October 2026.
Go with others
The guidance recommends trekking in a group, using reputable local guides, sticking to established routes and checking whether a permit is needed. Tell your accommodation which route you take and when you expect to be back.
Know the hazards
It lists altitude sickness, sudden weather changes, avalanches and snowdrifts, landslides, floods and rockfall. Turn back when the weather turns, even if you are close to the top.
Insurance
It advises cover that includes altitudes above 2,400 m and mountain and helicopter rescue. A satellite phone or GPS device needs prior Indian permission, so do not carry one in without it.
Trail photos
The picture below shows hikers on the stony forest path. Surfaces like this get slippery in rain.
Plan around the trek
Pages that help before and after the climb.
Triund trek: frequently asked questions
How long does the Triund trek take?
The district page gives about 4 hours from Dharamkot to Triund, one way, and 9 km from McLeod Ganj. It does not give a round-trip time, so add the descent and a margin. The page was last updated in 2024.
Do I need a permit for Triund?
A report on an order of 6 January 2026 names police permission for Triund and Kareri. Whether it applies on your date is not settled. Ask your accommodation or a licensed guide before you set out, and expect permission to lapse when a weather warning is issued.
What is the INR 500 deposit?
It is a refundable waste deposit reported since 11 August 2026. You bring back non-biodegradable waste and show the bag and the entry receipt, otherwise the deposit is lost. It is not a general entry fee.
Can I camp at Triund?
There is no current rule that confirms free camping, and none that bans it outright. Ask on the spot which campsites are approved and for how many tents. An online tent package is not a permit.
What is the best time for Triund?
October and November are the drier months at the Dharamshala station, July and August the wettest. Averages do not decide a hike. Check the forecast, the permission and the trail conditions for your day.
How high is Triund?
The district page gives 2,875 m in a heading and 2,975 m in the text. Galu Devi temple on the way is at 2,130 m.