Har-ki-Dun Trek from Dehardun

After breakfast, we drive to Taluka, a quaint village boasting a few shops and two government guest houses. This marks the starting point of our trek, where we set foot on a stony path.
The air in Taluka carries the refreshing scent of cedar trees, creating an invigorating atmosphere. During the winter season or periods of heavy rainfall, the road to Taluka may become impassable due to streams running across it, necessitating an 8 km walk to reach the village.
Our journey takes us along the banks of the spirited Supin River, shaded by walnut, pine, and cedar trees, making for a delightful walk. In autumn, we often stumble upon scattered walnuts on the ground. It's crucial to be wary of "bichchu ghas," or scorpion grass, as even a slight touch can result in a stinging sensation lasting for about half an hour. This herb, interestingly, is also used in local cuisine.
Passing villagers frequently exchange greetings as we trek further. As we ascend on the true left, the village of Datmer comes into view, characterized by a series of terraced farms where vibrant red Cholai flourishes during the late monsoon to early autumn.
Our path meanders over several streams that eventually merge with the Supin River. After a few hours of trekking, we spot the village of Gangad across the river on our left. In the forested areas of this region, you may even encounter a yellow-throated marten. Edible seabuckthorn fruits, with their orange hue, often hang in clusters from the trees. Known as 'leh berries,' these juicy and tangy fruits are a rich source of Vitamin C.
Continuing our trek, we finally reach the secluded campsite nestled at Puani Garat, where we can rest and rejuvenate after our eventful journey.

Our day begins with a trek to Osla village, perched about a hundred meters above the Supin River on a sloping spur. The initial path to Osla is the steepest part of the entire journey, taking around 30-40 minutes to conquer. Osla's surroundings are adorned with terraced farms, each season painting them in a different hue. During late monsoon, the red Cholai (Amaranth) farms create a mesmerizing sight.
Cholai is a nutritional powerhouse and a local favorite, alongside a variety of kidney beans grown in the area. Osla stands as the last village on the path to Har ki Dun. Beyond Osla, the trail gradually ascends, crossing fields with the river visible far below. Along the way, we encounter a temple to the right, and we pass through fields of vibrant flowers like orchids, fleece flowers, and sunflowers.
This leg of the journey is relatively short, allowing us to acclimatize to the high altitude and prepare for the upcoming days. We can take a break and soak in the sun at the picturesque Kalkatidhar campsite. The restriction on camping at Har Ki Dun has positively impacted the trek, offering greater comfort while preserving the natural beauty of the area.

The day’s trek can be considered to be rather long as we today visit Har Ki Dun and Marinda Tal, a small lake formation due to the obstructing boulder across the river stream, which lies 2 KM further ahead of Har Ki Dun. As we start the trek, at a short distance a hidden and roaring waterfall is encountered with a small tea shop beside the waterfall.
The ascending path offers stunning views above the confluence of the Supin and Ruinsara rivers. From here, you can admire the snow-clad peaks of Ruinsara Valley, notably Black Peak, the highest in the area. To the north, the Har Ki Dun valley unfolds in the distance, with a clear view of the Forest hut. Continuing higher on the right of the river, you enter a final stretch through a beautiful forest. Emerging from the woods, you arrive at Har Ki Dun’s main camping area, nestled beside a babbling stream. This panoramic spot sits at the junction of two valleys, one originating from Jaundhar Glacier and the other beyond Hata Glacier, offering a breathtaking natural spectacle.
Higher up towards the North we can spot the Forest Rest House, while the wood crafted GMVN guest house lies further up in the distance. The Har ki Dun peak stands tall right in front of us behind the Forest Rest House. Towards its left, Hata peak which is usually snow-covered can be seen. The minor ridge to our right, lined with a few scattered Himalayan birch trees Bhojpatra separates us from the massive Har Ki Dun valley that goes up all the way to the base of Swargarohini Peak. The paper-like bark of these trees was used in ancient times to write religious scriptures.
The vast open meadows following the course of the Supin River can be explored. Further ahead of the meadows one can walk among the forests of Bhojpatra trees (Himalayan birch) or get a closer glimpse of the Jaundhar glacier and Swargarohini peak, for which we will have to head upwards the Har Ki Dun valley, towards the Swargaroini peak in the eastern direction.
We can choose to relax and soak in the environment for some time or we can continue our trek to Marinda Tal, in the north, just 2-3 km away from Har ki Dun. The trail is gradually ascending here. It is a small lake formed by a huge boulder obstructing the river which flows down from the base of the Borasu Pass.
After our short visit to Marinda Tal we make our return journey back to Kalkatidhar. We take the same route and it becomes much easier as its all downhill from here. We reach back by early evening and rest at the campsite.

The return trip to Osla offers a leisurely stroll. Along the way, we enjoy a panoramic view of the trail leading back to Osla, with the valley gradually descending towards Taluka. This descent occurs around the bend of the ridge where the two streams, flowing from Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara, merge. A short distance before this confluence, we catch sight of a trail to our left, indicated by a bridge crossing over the stream.
This trail connects with the path to Ruinsara Lake but is seldom chosen by trekkers. Upon reaching Osla, there's the opportunity to explore the village, engage in conversations with the locals, and immerse oneself in the Garhwali culture. Continuing our journey, we return to our previous campsite at Puani Garat, where we can relax and soak in the warmth of the sun.

In the early morning, after having breakfast, we depart from our lovely accommodation and begin our trek along the same path we traversed on Day 1, heading towards Taluka. Even though we're retracing our steps, the views appear different as the perspective shifts significantly when trekking downhill. The descent requires less time than the initial ascent and proves to be quite enjoyable. We follow the left bank of the Supin River until we eventually reach Taluka. From there, a vehicle awaits to transport us back to Sankri.

The Har ki Dun trek ends today, departing from Sankri. The drive through lesser-explored areas to Mori remains stunning. After passing various towns and Kempty-Mussoorie, we reach Dehradun in the late afternoon or early evening.