Lohajung, Chamoli · Uttarakhand
Brahmatal
A winter trek with frozen lakes and close views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.
Brahmatal is an easy–moderate trek in Lohajung, Chamoli, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,734 m. The best time to go is December to March. Plan 6 to 7 days on the ground from Kathgodam / Dehradun and about ₹2,800 per person per day.
What to do in Brahmatal
The one thing not to miss
The summit ridge
A long, open ridge above the lake with Trishul and Nanda Ghunti straight ahead.
- 2Brahmatal lakeThe high lake the trek is named for; frozen in midwinter.
- 3BekaltalA forest lake on the first day, ringed by oak and rhododendron.
- 4LohajungThe roadhead village, with a view down the Pindar valley.
A sample plan: 5 days
Day 1
Kathgodam or Rishikesh to Lohajung
A full day on the road.
Day 2
Lohajung to Bekaltal
Uphill through oak and rhododendron forest.
Day 3
Bekaltal to Brahmatal
Above the tree line, with the first big views.
Day 4
The summit ridge, then down to Lohajung
A long day; start early.
Day 5
Lohajung to Kathgodam or Rishikesh
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Similar difficulty to Kedarkantha with far fewer people and better close-up peak views.
Why not
Longer journey to the trailhead — about 10–11 hours by road from Kathgodam or Rishikesh.
Before you go
- Permits
- Forest department permit, usually arranged by the operator.
- Guide
- Operator or local guide recommended in winter.
- Safety
- Snow on the ridge can be knee-deep; microspikes and gaiters needed Jan–Feb.
- Phone & internet
- Some signal in Lohajung; little to none above.
Altitude
Brahmatal reaches 3,734 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Chamoli, Gopeshwar.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Brahmatal
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho Mountain weather turns quickly; rain gear doubles as a wind layer.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 22 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
8 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,734 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsForest department permit, usually arranged by the operator.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereSome signal in Lohajung; little to none above.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathgodam / Dehradun.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Hill roads here are prone to landslides in the monsoon. Start early and check road status before you set out.
By road
From
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 225 km
- Drive time
- 9–10 hours
- Kathgodam
- Almora
- Kausani
- Gwaldam
- Dewal
- Lohajung
The walk starts at Lohajung.
Live directions from KathgodamFrom
Rishikesh
- Distance
- about 260 km
- Drive time
- 9–10 hours
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Karnaprayag
- Tharali
- Dewal
- Lohajung
Buses and shared taxis. Public transport to Lohajung is sparse; most operators arrange transfers from Kathgodam or Rishikesh.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam / Dehradun. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Brahmatal yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Brahmatal: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Brahmatal?
The best months for Brahmatal are December to March. April and November are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Brahmatal?
Brahmatal is rated easy–moderate. The trek is about 22 km in total, starting at 2,300 m and reaching 3,734 m.
How many days do you need for Brahmatal?
Plan 6 to 7 days on the ground, counted from Kathgodam / Dehradun. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Brahmatal cost?
Expect about ₹2,800 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹19,600 for 7 days, before the cost of getting to Kathgodam / Dehradun.
How do you reach Brahmatal?
By road: from Kathgodam it is about 225 km, 9–10 hours (Kathgodam → Almora → Kausani → Gwaldam → Dewal → Lohajung); from Rishikesh it is about 260 km, 9–10 hours (Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Tharali → Dewal → Lohajung). Public transport to Lohajung is sparse; most operators arrange transfers from Kathgodam or Rishikesh. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam / Dehradun.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Brahmatal?
Permits: Forest department permit, usually arranged by the operator. Guide: Operator or local guide recommended in winter.
Is Brahmatal suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is not advised. It is moderately busy in season. Snow on the ridge can be knee-deep; microspikes and gaiters needed Jan–Feb.
What should you pack for Brahmatal?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Brahmatal?
Some signal in Lohajung; little to none above.
Will I get altitude sickness at Brahmatal?
Brahmatal reaches 3,734 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Brahmatal?
Brahmatal is not a good choice for families with small children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,734 m. Also keep in mind: Longer journey to the trailhead — about 10–11 hours by road from Kathgodam or Rishikesh.
Close to Brahmatal
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)about 16 km
- Kausaniabout 34 km