Trekking

Uttarakhand is blessed with a scenic hilly terrain that renders the state as one of the best in the country for trekking. From beginners to the seasoned – everyone can test their physical stamina here. One of the most-traversed trekking routes here is the Bageshwar – Sunderdhunga – Pindari – Kafni Glacier trek in the state’s Pithoragarh district. The trekking paths that run along the Munsiyari – Martoli – Milam – Ralam Glacier are equally popular in the area. The Panch Kedar trek is the most popular one in the Garhwal region. These apart, the treks to Hemkund and Roopkund are equally invigorating. Valley of Flowers is another popular spot for trekking.

Trekking – or long-distance hiking – consists of walking for several days or several weeks and being entirely or partially self-sufficient. Originally, the sport was mainly practised in mountains, often in famously inaccessible locations; however, today the term extends to other types of terrain and itineraries for all levels.

The spirit of trekking is all about setting up your bivouac at dusk, taking the time to look at the stars and discovering new landscapes every day. You decide on the setting: the vastness of the desert, the town or countryside, the beauty of the mountains etc.

What is the difference between “trekking” and “hiking” ?

– The duration : hikes are normally completed in one day while treks can take several days or even several weeks.
– The route : hikers follow a loop: they set off from their base camp and return there in the evening to sleep. Trekkers take a bivouac with them and every evening get to enjoy new surroundings.
– The terrain : trekkers sometimes venture off marked hiking trails but, only if local regulations allow them to do so, and always adopt an environmentally responsible approach.
– The equipment : as the trekker needs to be entirely or partially self-sufficient, and is away for several days at a time, his backpack contains “his entire home”, whereas the hiker only needs to carry the essentials for the day. A trekker’s lifeline is his equipment: which means it needs to be reliable and hard-wearing!

And what is the difference between trekking and a trek ?

It’s the same as the difference between mountaineering and climbing a peak: you can go trekking (the sport) or do a trek (a particular route).