Should you panic about kedarkantha’s difficulty? Short answer: Nope

If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re thinking about going on a snowy winter trek- or maybe you’re wondering, “If I go for the Kedarkantha trek, how hard will it really be for a beginner?”

Will you be gasping for air? Struggling to walk? Regretting not just booking that Goa trip instead?

Oh god, so many questions.

So let’s break it down - Kedarkantha is one of the most beginner-friendly Himalayan treks out there.

Yes, it'll take you up to a stunning 12,500 feet.

Yes, it’s cold

And yes, there will be snow.

But should you panic about how difficult it is?

Let’s find out.

A Quick Overview of Kedarkantha Trek

Before we get into the difficulty level of the trek, let’s first understand the basics about the Kedarkantha trek.

Maximum Altitude:

The summit is at 12,500ft.

Base Camp:

Sankri, a small village in Uttarkashi district at Uttarakhand. 

Total trekking distance:

The total trekking distance to summit and back is around 20-24 km.

Ideal Trek duration:

maximum 5-6 days

Best time to visit:

Although the Kedarkantha trek is open throughout the year, the best time to do it is from December to April- if you want to experience snow.

Difficulty Level:

Easy to Moderate

The Kedarkantha trek is best for its summit, sunrise, trails, dense pine forests, meadows, and what not every step offers something stunning to witness.

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate- What does that really mean?

When you see a trek labelled as “Easy to Moderate” you probably get confused - is it easy or is it moderate? Let’s understand a bit about what kind of trek this is going to be.

Trails:

When we talk about Kedarkantha trek trai, this is the easiest and most beginner friendly part of the entire experience. The path is wide, well-marked, and takes you through the dense pine forests, and snow covered mountain peaks. In this trek you will not face any technical issues- there are no river crossings, no steep rocky trails. So this part of the trek is considered as the easier part.

Altitude Gain:

This part of the trek is slightly moderate because we gain a significant amount of altitude in just a few days, which can be a bit challenging, but beginners can still do it easily. However some people may experience mild symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness like headaches, shortness of breath, tiredness, or dizziness. This  is common during high-altitude treks.  To stay safe and avoid these symptoms, it’s important to keep your body well-hydrated, avoid rushing, walk slowly, and if you feel tired, take short breaks and give your body proper time to recover. 

Weather Conditions:

During the best time to do Kedarkantha trek, From December to March, the entire trail is covered with snow. The snow is so deep that it often reaches up to our knees, and sometimes we even sink into it while walking. At night the temperature often drops to minus, making it very cold. This part makes the trek a bit challenging, especially for those who are not used to the cold. However, with the right gear like layered clothing, a good quality sleeping bag, and waterproof boots- you’ll be able to stay warm and comfortable.

Daily trek duration:

Each day, you’ll walk for about 4 to 6 hours, covering around 4 to 6 kilometers, which keeps the trek relatively easy. What makes it even easier is that you get plenty of time to rest, enjoy the views and settle into your campsites before dark. 

The exception is the last day, the day when we have to reach the summit. This is the longest day of the entire trek. On this day you’ll need to wake up so early at almost 3.A.M. to witness the rewarding sunrise from the top. 

Is Kedarkantha Trek Beginner-friendly?

Kedarkantha along with its beauty is the best winter beginner friendly trek with well-marked and safe trails. The whole trek is so well organized by the trekking operators that you can enjoy beautiful views everyday while covering 4-6 kms of distance every day, and can easily complete the trek in 4-5 days. Just prepare your body well, pack your bags properly, and you’re all set for the adventure.