Phulara Ridge is a heavenly corridor that gracefully extends between lush meadows, valleys, and peaks of the Sankri Range in Uttarakhand. Set at 3,700M, this unusual ridge is still untouched. It has some great scenic surprises for beginners and avid trekkers alike. Usually, ridge traverses on Himalayan treks are small and short. But, on the Phulara Ridge Trek, it is a long and extensive one. The Phulara ridge is not only astonishing for its 360-degree vistas but is also kind enough to introduce you to the massive peaks - Swargarohini (6,252M) and Kala Nag (6,387M). If there is a box office for Himalayan mountains, this 5-day trek is sure to get a 5-star rating from all its visitors.
Besides walking the ridge, the trails of Phulara take you through some dense forest areas, rolling meadows, and a village.
In this article, we will be discussing the difficulty level of the Phulara Ridge trek along with the gear and skills you will need to complete the trek safely and enjoyably.
The difficulty level of the trek:
The Phulara Ridge trek is a level 2 trek on the Bikat Rating Scale.
About the BRS: The Bikat Rating Scale rates the difficulty level of all treks and expeditions in our portfolio after taking into account their geographical and climatic conditions.
According to this scale, if you are a beginner who is unsure of your fitness level and don’t know what to expect on a trek, a trek-rated one will be a good place to start. If you liked your very first trekking experience and are looking to test your limits next, the treks rated 2 or 3 will do the job for you.
A beginner who is sure of their fitness level on the other hand is welcome to skip the first two levels and directly start with one of the treks rated 3. From 4 onwards, the rules change a little. It is mandatory to have trekking experience of the previous level to participate in the next level.
The trails of Phulara Ridge trek
The trails of Phulara Ridge run through two different types of terrain. We ascend, descend, and walk through dark and dense forest areas with mystical vibes on the first days. On the other days, we ascend and descend through expansive meadows filled with lush greenery which gives way to huge boulders as we draw closer to the ridge. The ever changing elements on the trail like moist moss, dried leaves, wet grass, and golden shrubs surprise our feet with their textures. Rated easy on the BRS scale, these trails don't demand advanced skills and fitness. However, without basic knowledge and standard fitness, even an easy trek can change into a difficult one. Let's go through the challenges of the Phulara Ridge trek so that you can be prepared before you hit these gorgeous trails.
Challenge 1: The 500M Ascend
On the 3rd day of the trek, we walk from Juda Ka Talab (2,773M) to Bhoj Gadi (3,400M) campsite. The total distance between the camps is 5 km. After 3 km, we cross a tiny stream. The trail from the stream is a straight ascent on a gradient close to 50 degrees. This is the toughest ascent of the entire trek. The pathway is filled with loose sand and a few dried shrubs. Climb gently with baby steps. At the end of 500M, the thick forest line spreads out into a huge meadow with views of the renowned Kedarkantha peak on one side and the immense Phulara Ridge on the other. These grand views sure do their bit to take away some of the weariness from the climb.
Challenge 2: Long Distance
Day 4 is the ridge day. On this day, we leave Bhoj Gadi (3,400M) early, walk on the ridge (3,700M) and descend towards Pushtara (2,800M). Though the gradient is a mix of flat trails and easy descents, the real challenge for the day is the distance. We cover 11 km in 7 hours. The numbers may sound daunting, but every second spent on the ridge is priceless and timeless. The exertion is only temporary though. As soon as we land on the slanting meadows of Pushtara, the trek becomes a fun walk in the park.
Challenge 3: Narrow Pathways and Uphill Winds on the Ridge
Walking on the massive Phulara Ridge is a captivating experience one mustn’t miss. But, a few sections of the trail on the ridge get really narrow and full of scree. It's easy to slip and fall. These sections demand extreme caution and the right body balance. Keeping close to the leaders and following their instructions can get you through to the other side safely. But, the surprises do not end here. Another unpredictable challenge waits on the top of the ridge. Brace yourself for some action-packed heavy winds. Hold on to your caps and phones to keep them from blowing away. The mysterious uphill winds suddenly arrive from nowhere and pass just as quickly but are a fun adventure all on their own.
GEARS REQUIRED FOR PHULARA RIDGE TREK
While we will be providing most of the equipment needed for trekking (tents, sleeping bags, etc), there is some basic gear you will need from your end to get through your hike comfortably.
These are a sturdy, lightweight backpack and comfortable trekking shoes. In case, you plan on purchasing them, please refer to the articles below for some helpful tips on how to go about choosing the right gear for your trek.
A branded backpack can be a hefty spend when it comes to trekking. But this needn’t be the case if you know what to look for when purchasing one.
One of our founders, Pankaj, purchased a non-branded pack for INR 1100 in 2010 and the pack continues to work just fine for him. In the article linked above, he shares some helpful tips on what to look for when choosing a trekking backpack.
How to choose a good pair of hiking shoes
Conventional sports shoes don’t suit trekking trails. We recommend wearing high ankle shoes with sturdy soles. These not only provide better support but also reduce the possibility of injuries while hiking. Please refer to the guide linked above for some useful tips on choosing trekking shoes.
SKILLS REQUIRED FOR PHULARA RIDGE TREK
Bikat Adventures is primarily an adventure learning organization. This means our key objective is not just to help trekkers complete their treks but also to ensure they pick up some valuable lessons and skills in trekking along the way.
To achieve this, we have created learning modules and paired them to different levels on the Bikat Rating Scale.
These modules are taught in real-time on the trails by our trek leaders.
The following are some skills that are likely to come in handy on a trail like the Phulara Ridge.
While you will have all the assistance you need on the trek from our capable trek leaders and guides, we suggest browsing through the articles below to get an idea of what is involved.
Ascending and Descending on Trails
To break it down, we ascend for 2 days and descend for 2 days on the trails of the Phulara Ridge trek. Some of the ascents are gradual and a few are moderately challenging. When we descend down the meadows of Pushtara, you may want to increase your pace and just run down. But, this can lead to injuries on high altitude treks. Maintaining the right rhythm and body posture can help avoid injuries and stress on your ankles and knees. The guide linked above shares some useful tips on how to ascend and descend down trails.
If you are a first-time trekker, the Phulara Ridge trek is a perfect platform for testing your endurance level by carrying your rucksack throughout the journey. The article linked above shares some useful guidelines you can follow to pack your backpacks efficiently while on the trail.
Our trek leaders will be guiding you on how to pitch a tent during the trek. Nevertheless, we are linking the article above for anyone who might be interested in reading about it.
Phulara Ridge is a prominent summer and post-monsoon trek. A simple 2 layer, quick-dry attire is enough to walk through the moist forest. But, campsites like Bhoj Gadi are open and nestled at an altitude of 2,800M. The harsh winds amplify the chillness here. Layering appropriately to protect yourself from the cold is essential. The article linked above will give you a fair idea of the layers you will need and guide you on how to layer up at campsites and while hiking.
Trekking poles can come in handy while trekking, especially during descents. Please refer to the article above to find out the right way to use a trekking pole while hiking.
We hope this article answers all the questions you may have about the Phulara Ridge trek. In case you need further assistance/information with something, please feel free to reach out to us.
