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Snowfall Areas in India You Can Actually Trek Through

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Snowfall Areas in India You Can Actually Trek Through

Written by

Shivam Billore

19 Oct 2025

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Snowfall Areas in India You Can Actually Trek Through

Ever wondered what separates an Outdoor influencer from a trekker?

One would tiptoe on the prettiest parts of the snow, take a few happy pictures, make a few reels, and get back to safety. The other would walk through the snow, breaking the trail buried by snowfall, and sometimes, is patient enough to trek for hours through one specific stretch, battling the terrain and elements.

Who’s who? You decide.

However, if you are someone who loves to walk through the snow, get your boots dirty, and earn your views the old-fashioned way, here are some beautiful, raw, and authentic snowfall areas in India for your next winter adventure.

In this guide, we cover snowfall treks in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh.

Brahmatal: The Winter Trek that Hooks You to the Mountains

12300ft | 35km | 6 days | Easy

Snowfall Window: December - March

If there is one snowfall trek in India to introduce a newbie to the Himalayas, it has to be the Brahmatal trek.

Why Brahmatal?

One alpine lake on a trek is too ordinary, so there are two: Brahmatal and Bekaltal. The Oak and Rhododendron-lined path on your way to the lake in the morning is mirrored by ice-cold winds at night, offering you both extremes without too much stress on the body. The lake itself freezes solid, ringed by sharp ridges, and campsites get buried waist-deep in powder snow. So, pack your high-ankle boots and woollen socks, as you will be trekking in at least ankle-deep snow. Brahmatal remains open throughout the winter in India, even as most other winter treks/routes are closed, making it an ideal option for a snowy trek.

Dayara Bugyal: An Unending Playground of Powder Snow

12300ft | 21km | 5 days | Easy

Snowfall Window: Late December - March

An open, rich-green alpine meadow that totally transforms itself into a vast field of snow for the winter, Dayara Bugyal is a great option for you if you prefer a good walk up and days of snow to walk through.

Why Dayara?

You get to trek up under a vast expanse of no man’s land for however long you want. Your legs and lungs will certainly enjoy the Bugyal. Pine and maple trees are scattered all over the first two days of the trail, making you forget fatigue and experience a good walk through fresh snow. The panoramic view of the Garwahl range that you see once you reach the peak near a small Shivling will make your efforts in the snow worth your time. Here is your comprehensive guide for Dayara Bugyal.

Dodital-Darwa: Two Treks in One

11000ft → 13800ft | 50km | 5 days | Moderate

Snowfall Window: December-February

The birthplace of Lord Ganesha and one of the only snowfall areas in India where you can find the Himalayan Trout, Dodital-darwa is a trek that offers you a steady climb up, amongst thick vegetation, snow, and rock-faces on your way.

Why Dodital-Darwa?

Some icy and slippery, steep terrain sections challenge you and your gear. Reach Dodital, and you get to walk on a few frozen sections of the lake itself at Sunrise. The Darwa pass is a short, tough hike on a tricky trail, as you’d gain close to 3000+ft elevation in 4.5 kilometres, sometimes in knee-deep snow, which may be tough. As a bonus to the journey, it also offers unobstructed views of Draupadi ka Danda, Swargarohini, Kala Naag, and Bandarpoonch.

Gulabi Kantha: Solitude at 12400ft

12400ft | 24km | 5 days | Easy

Snowfall Window: Mid-December - February

A quiet, underrated meadow sitting by itself in the Yamuna valley, Gulabi Kantha offers you all the wonders of winter, for a fourth of the effort. Thick forest, vegetation, deep snow, and majestic views, all packed into one aesthetic trek.

Why Gulabi Kantha?

One of the last-surviving Snowfall treks that still offers what raw nature is all about: No fixed camps, no noise, no crowds—just you and the trail. Without too much strain on the body, you get all that you need on a snowfall adventure. Uninterrupted views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Gangotri after a short summit push

Kedarhantha: A Summit You Earn

12500ft | 23km | 5 days | Easy

Snowfall Window: December - March

What makes an easy trek tough? - A brutal summit push. What makes a brutal summit push a little crazy? - The patience and strength it takes from you to trudge through soft, knee-deep snow. You begin at 6400ft and gain almost 3000 ft on day 1, with some hard climbing to reach the first campsite. Once you are there, you truly begin to understand why Kedarkantha is on a popular but not-so-easy list of snowfall areas in India: It’s diverse offerings for every season. If you want a moderate winter challenge with gushing winds, steep temperatures, and walking through fields of snow all day, Kedarkantha is your pick.

Kuari Pass: Prepare Your Calves

12500ft | 22km | 5 days | Moderate

Snowfall Window: December - March

The first 2 days of the trek will prepare you for the next, on your way to the summit of Kuari Pass. From the time you start your trek at Karchi to a few meters below camp Khullara, your calves will continuously feel the heat of the gradient, with the snowy sections slowing you down. The day you begin your push has almost no plain sections, and with slippery ice, wet rocks, and snowfall in the mix, you will be thankful to end your winter on a high note if you pick Kuari as your year-end winter adventure.

Pro tip: Microspikes will be your best friend on Kuari Pass’s rocky and narrow sections.

Nag Tibba: A Pitcheresque Weekend of Snow

9840ft | 19km | 3 days | Easy

Snowfall Window: December - March

Have a spare weekend this winter? Plan a trip to Nag Tibba, and you won’t regret it!

Why Nag Tibba?

Easy on your mind, body, and wallet. You get everything a traditional winter trek offers: Snowy paths, tricky steep declines, sun-lit golden sunsets of snowy peaks, all under 2 days. Just because it’s a short snowfall trek, don’t pack too lightly. The temperature and snowfall can get overwhelming. 4 layers, waterproof shoes, and gaiters are a must.

Chandrashila, Tungnath & Deoria Tal: All in One

12110ft | 30km | 5 days | Easy

Snowfall Window: December - April

A whole week of walking in the snowy, beautiful forests to walking on a rocky, icy ancient pathway at 12000ft, you get your money’s worth, and then some, when you take on the Deoria Tal and Chandrashila trek in Uttarakhand. While Deoria Tal takes you to the top of an alpine lake at about 8000ft, which you can reach by a patient uphill walk in snow and occasional slush, Chandrashila has rocky, muddy, Icy and snowy surfaces to navigate, before you reach the top and get to view the entire Garwahl range up close. Neither of them is tough, but the Handrashila trek houses the famous Tunganath Shiva temple, which will be a bit of an effort to reach in the winter because of the elevation gain and wet rocks on which you have to walk. The descent is fun and easy if you like sliding down on the snow.

Sandakphu Phalut: Worth the Trouble

12110ft | 81km | 7 days | Moderate

Snowfall Window: December - February

Probably one of the only snowfall areas in India, where a frozen toe is worth the risk on the trail, Sandakphu offers equal parts of tricky terrain and breathtakingly colourful landscapes.

Why Sandakphu?

As if the ever-changing scenic beauty and colours weren’t enough, you get to constantly zig-zag around the Indo-Nepal border and see 24000ft peaks everywhere around you. The walk through winter snow is tough on your legs, so you get hot, home-cooked meals and sleep in a room. No fear of freezing inside a sleeping bag! High-mountain winds, sudden snowfall, and about 3000ft elevation gain on day 5 is hard, and can make you question yourself: ‘Why did I not do this before?’, when you see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga standing mightily around you.

Goechala: The Premier High-Altitude Challenge

16207ft | 90km | 10 days | Difficult

Snowfall Window: October-November

The big brother of all snowfall treks in India, Goechala makes you work your way up, from day 1 to the day you finish. If you are moderately experienced and want a real challenge to your lungs and legs, this is for you.

Why Goechala?

Goechala is seldom crowded. Only serious trekkers attempt. Not all who attempt finish 6-8-hour-long walks for 10 days or more. In the snow, at the upper camps, getting closest to Mt. Kanchenjunga without climbing it makes Goechala memorable. You gain more confidence for other high-altitude treks once you summit Goechala. Go to Goechala this winter if you feel you need an above-average snowfall trek. There isn’t anything moderate or easy on the trail.

There are dozens of snowfall areas in India. But only a handful of them are snowfall treks you can actually walk through, camp in, and come back from with epic lessons and memories.

You may wonder: Why do we focus on ‘serious trekkers’ while most of our trek tags are ‘easy’?

It’s the high mountain winter, and the weather can get bad in a heartbeat. Add moderate to heavy snowfall to the mix, and the word easy will be a difficult one to digest.

So, prepare well, gear up for the winter season, and get your snowfall trek on!

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