Bedni Bugyal is one of the most stunning alpine meadows situated at the border of Garhwal and Kumaon in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state that offers the most astounding views of the mighty Trishul Parvat (23359 ft.). Bedni Bugyal is at an altitude of 11,000 ft. above the sea level and brings a variety of colors and diversified splendors of nature and is considered amongst the finest meadows in the Garhwal mountains (altitude 11,000 ft.) which are famous for wild high altitude flowers and herbs during the spring.
DIFFICULTY : EASY.
MAX ALLTITUDE : 11,003 FT
BASE CAMP : LOHAJUNG.
DURATION : 6 DAYS.
BEST SEASON : DECEMBER – JANUARY
Brief itinerary of Bedni Bugyal Trek:
Day 1: Drive from Kathgodam – Lohajung.
Day 2:Trek from Lohajung to Didina Village
Day 3: Trek from Didina Village to Ali Bugyal
Day 4:Trek from Ali Bugyal to Bedni Bugyal
Day 5: Trek from Bedni Bugyal to Lohajung via Wan
Day 6: Departure from Lohajung
We will arrive at Lohajung and meet our trek leader. Today we will stay at a hotel or home stay in Lohajung. The drive from Kathgodam to Lohajung is long but a beautiful one as it passes through popular hill stations of Kumaon region. Preferably, Lohajung is the last road head but jeeps do travel from Lohajung to Wan on Kachha Raasta. There are a couple of shops and a handful of guesthouses at Lohajung. Overnight stay at the guesthouse.
Start your trek by going downhill from Lohajung towards Raun Bagad where a bridge is present over Neel Ganga River. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to reach Raun Bagad. The trek route is beautiful and covered with Rhododendron and Oak trees. The gushing sound of Neel Ganga is pretty loud. It will take us another 3 hours to reach Didina Village that hangs over the mountain across the bridge. The climb is sharp and goes through a lush forest. We will take breaks in between to take rest and then continue trekking upwards. Didina is a charming little village where we will set up tents at Didina campsite.
Today’s trek is an easy one for a few hundred meters but as soon as we enter the dense oak forest the climb starts to get to you. It is one long climb inside the forest but the pure mountain breeze makes it pleasant and relaxing. After 3 hours of climbing you will reach Tolkaan, where the forest trail opens up to a small field. Continue climbing up on the ridge, soon you will able to see a lush green meadow kissing the sky, welcome to Ali Bugyal. But this is just the beginning; it will still take another hour for you to reach on the top of the Ali Bugyal. Soon it becomes a laidback walk on Ali Bugyal until you reach near the fibre huts of the forest department. Do lookout for a proper water resource before camping at Ali Bugyal. At times there is a water shortage in this region.
To reach Bedni Bugyal we need to continue hiking up over the ridge that leads to Bedni Bugyal. While hiking up the ridge take a final look at the magical Ali Bugyal, a perfect bird’s eye view. As soon as you cross the ridge you’ll witness a completely different form of nature’s beauty. Today’s trek ends up at Bedni Bugyal, a huge lush green meadow spread over the mountain. A steep ridge bowing up into the dusk offers the bewitching view of the lofty Trishul (7,120mts) and Nanda Ghunti Peak. The reflection of Trishul peak on the divine Bedni kundis a treat to the eyes.
The trek route descends gradually in height and can be easily covered in approximately 4-5 hours. Enter the thick forest and go downhill until you reach a small bridge over River Neel Ganga. Here, we will rest for a while and climb for another hour on the mountain opposite to the bridge. Soon we’ll reach a flat wide path going through farms of the local villagers. It takes another hour to reach Wan from this point. Drive from Wan to Lohajung.
