For those who crave the thrill of untamed wilderness, Kedartal trek is an experience that promises to stir the soul and challenge the body. Kedartal, often referred to as 'Shiva's Lake,' is the centerpiece of this trek. This glacial lake, with its crystalline emerald waters, is cradled in the lap of the towering peaks, creating a scene that seems plucked from the pages of mythology. The trek itself is a pilgrimage, drawing both adventurers and spiritual seekers to its sacred shores.
This article shares details about the difficulty level of the Kedartal Trek, some challenges you may face, and the gear and skills you would require to navigate the trail.
Difficulty Level of the Trek:
Kedartal is a level 4 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 doesn’t know what to expect on a trek, a trek-rated one will be a good place to start. If you like 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 Kedartal Trek
Kedartal Trek starts from the holy town of Gangotri where we acclimatise. Day 3 onwards, the trail takes you through some challenging terrains, the infamous spider wall and landslide-prone areas all culminating at an emerald blue lake surrounded by the likes of Mt. Thalay Sagar (6,904m), Mt. Meru (6,672m), Mt. Bhrigupanth (6,772m) peaks and many more. The view of the lake itself and its surroundings more than justify the effort it takes to make it there. This trail takes you through the valley of gods, so trying yet so surreal.
Challenge 1: The Spider Wall
As we venture towards our first camp at Bhoj Kharak, we encounter the enigmatic Spider Wall. This naturally tilted slab of rock stands at a daring 60-degree angle. While it's a grand spectacle, the left side can be intimidating because, well, there's nothing there except a 100-foot drop into the Kedar Ganga below.
To cross this 15-meter slab, you'll rely on two thin ledges barely wide enough for your shoe's edge. It's a heart-pounding experience as you stretch your leg, clinging to the rock. You can only cross this section by mimicking a spider's moves and its nimbleness - it’s a unique experience for sure.
Challenge 2: The Relentless Ascent - A Mental Test
Days 3 and 4 of the Kedartal Trek present a relentless ascent. Although you'll traverse lush birch and rhododendron forests, you'll also face a chilling climb. By the end of Day 3, you'll have gained an impressive 1,010M in altitude. Day 4 promises an additional 480M of elevation gain. It's a mental challenge, and not everyone chooses to take it on, but those who do are rewarded with the breathtaking beauty of Kedartal - a sight seen by only a fortunate few.
Challenge 3: Navigating the Unexpected
The Kedartal trail from Bhoj Kharak to Kedar Kharak was once a well-marked path. However, it has been disrupted by a landslide, adding an exciting twist to your trek. Now, we're not talking about a simple detour here. The trail vanishes for about 100 meters, replaced by loose earth and shifting sands. To your left, the glacial melt river rushes below, and to your right, the terrain is unstable. It's a moment that tests your problem-solving skills and your courage.
Following this challenging section, you'll encounter a more stable trail that gently descends toward the Kedar Ganga riverbed. Here, we'll need to navigate a partial river crossing before finding ourselves back on solid ground on the opposite side. As we continue, the path unfolds to reveal the next campsite, Kedar Kharak.
Challenge 4: Physical Fitness
While it's often categorized as a moderate hike, don't be fooled; this journey is a thrilling test of endurance and resilience. Given the length of the days and the altitude the trek takes you to, getting through the trek demands a certain level of physical fitness for it to be a pleasant experience. If you have prior trekking experience and are well-acquainted with high-altitude challenges, you'll find this trek both exhilarating and rewarding.
Gear Required for Kedartal Trek
While we will be providing most of the technical equipment needed for the trek (tents, sleeping bags, snow boots, crampons/ microspikes), there is some basic gear you will need from your end to get through your hike comfortably.
Some of the things you will need are:
1) A sturdy, lightweight backpack: A good backpack that sits comfortably on your back without putting too much pressure on it can be the deciding factor between making it to the summit or not. Good, however, is not a synonym for expensive.
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 even today. In the article linked below, he shares some helpful tips on what to look for when choosing a trekking backpack.
2) Comfortable trekking shoes: Happy feet equal a happy trek. Conventional sports shoes don’t suit trekking trails. We recommend wearing high-ankle waterproof trekking shoes with sturdy soles for the Kedartal trek. These not only provide better support but also reduce the possibility of injuries while hiking. In case, you need help with a list of deciding factors that make for good trekking shoes, please refer to the article below.
How to choose a good pair of hiking shoes
3) Right Clothing: Any high-altitude trek requires specific kinds of clothing. It should be warm but lightweight. It should also be such that it is easily packaged. On high-altitude treks like Kedartal, we usually employ the layering method where you put on multiple layers of clothing instead of one very heavy, thick jacket. This is for two reasons:
- The weather in the Himalayan regions is unpredictable and changes very quickly. Layering gives you the freedom to adapt to that accordingly so that you are not left feeling too hot or too cold.
- These are easy to carry and are packing-friendly.
4) Right Sunglasses: When you know you are going to be in and around snow or in any high-altitude location where the sun is harsh, you might want to carry a good pair of sunglasses. A lack of these could prove to be fatal. The article below can help you pick out just the right pair.
How to pick high-altitude UV protection glasses?
Skills Required for Kedartal
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 trek like Kedartal.
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.
1) Ascending Descending on Trails
Kedartal trek puts you through some serious ascending. A set of simple techniques can help you navigate ice and snow landscapes with considerable ease while also reducing the chances of injuries and stress to specific body parts. The guide linked below shares some useful tips on how to ascend and descend on trails.
Ascending and Descending on Trails
2) Packing Your Rucksack
Given how unpredictable the weather gets enroute Kedartal, you are likely to keep changing your layering frequently along the way. Also, due to the vast difference in day temperature and that at night, you most probably will spend a lot of time packing and re-packing your sack.
Accessing your stuff can get a bit messy and confusing during this process.
A sack packed right can facilitate your trekking while incorrect packing can make even an easy trail seem difficult. Worry not, we are here to help. The article linked below shares some useful guidelines you can follow to pack efficiently.
3) How to Pitch a Tent
Our trek leaders will be guiding you on how to pitch a tent during the trek. Nevertheless, we are linking the article below for anyone who might be interested in reading about it.
4) Layering Basics
Layering appropriately to protect yourself from the cold is essential. The article linked below will give you a fair idea of the winter layers you will need and guide you on how to layer up at campsites and while hiking.
5) Understanding Equipment
The Kedartal trek can be technically challenging in some sections, particularly in the upper reaches of the trail. During the monsoon season, the trail can be slippery and muddy, while in winter, it can be icy and snowy requiring you to use some basic mountaineering equipment. The articles below will acquaint you with a few of these and help you understand how to use them as well as how they can facilitate your climb.
We hope this article answers all the questions you may have about the Kedartal trek. In case you need further assistance/information with something, please feel free to reach out to us. We are only a phone call away.
