The Brahmatal trek is one of Uttarakhand’s most reliable winter walks: a short, snow-heavy loop in the Garhwal Himalaya that a first-timer can finish, yet one that still puts you on a ridge facing Mount Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. It runs from the roadhead village of Lohajung in Chamoli district, climbs through oak and rhododendron forest to two frozen lakes, and tops out on a broad summit ridge above 3,700 m. Below is a practical, source-checked guide to planning it.
The Brahmatal trek is a 4-day, roughly 24 km round trip from Lohajung (about 2,350 m) to a summit ridge near 3,700 m, in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. It is graded easy to moderate and is best done December to February, when the trail holds deep snow and the Brahmatal and Bekaltal lakes freeze over.
About Brahmatal and quick facts
Brahmatal is a high alpine lake above Lohajung, in the Garhwal Himalaya of Chamoli district. The name joins “Brahma”, the creator in Hindu tradition, with “tal”, the Garhwali and Hindi word for lake. According to local belief, Lord Brahma meditated beside this water; the lake is treated as sacred, so trekkers are asked to keep it clean and avoid alcohol at the site. Treat that story as legend, not history.
What makes the walk popular is its balance: a low, forested start, a gentle daily gain, and a big Himalayan payoff. From the higher camps and the summit ridge you look straight at Mount Trishul (7,120 m) and Nanda Ghunti (6,309 m). Two lakes, Bekaltal lower down and Brahmatal higher up, sit along the route and freeze in deep winter.
Note on altitudes: operators publish slightly different summit and lake figures. Indiahikes lists the high point at about 3,734 m (12,250 ft); other outfitters quote figures from roughly 3,700 m to 3,850 m, and Brahmatal lake itself is usually placed near 3,400–3,700 m. Where an exact number matters for you, confirm with your operator before booking.
Best time for the Brahmatal trek
Brahmatal is run mainly as a winter trek. It stays open when many higher Garhwal routes are snowbound and shut, which is a large part of its appeal. Indiahikes and other operators point to December to February for snow-covered trails, with January and February usually holding the heaviest snow. The wider trekking window runs from about mid-December into March.
Winter temperatures are cold. Reports from operators put daytime highs around 5–10°C and nights below freezing, dropping well under −5°C at the higher camps in peak winter, with a hard, frozen crust underfoot in the early mornings. Pack for that. The table below is a planning guide; confirm live conditions with your operator before you travel.
| Period | Conditions | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Dec to Feb | Deep, reliable snow; frozen lakes; nights well below 0°C | Classic winter snow trek |
| March | Softening snow lower down, snow still high up; longer days | Snow with milder weather |
| Apr to Jun | Green trail, clear peak views, mild days | Non-snow trekking, flowers later |
| Jul to Sep | Monsoon; rain, leeches, poor views, some landslide risk on roads | Best avoided |
| Oct to early Dec | Post-monsoon clarity, cold nights, little or no snow early | Views before the snow arrives |
How to reach Lohajung
Lohajung is the base village and the roadhead. Almost everyone approaches from the Kumaon side via Kathgodam, the nearest railhead, though you can also drive in from Rishikesh on the Garhwal side. The last stretch is a long mountain road, so most operators build in a full travel day each way.
By rail: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station, roughly 210–220 km from Lohajung, a drive of about 10–12 hours through Bhimtal, Almora, Kausani and Gwaldam. Trains that serve Kathgodam from Delhi include the Ranikhet Express (15013/15014), the New Delhi–Kathgodam Shatabdi (12039/12040) and the Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti. Train numbers and timings change; reconfirm on IRCTC/NTES before booking (checked September 2026).
By air: Pantnagar is the nearest airport, about 250 km from Lohajung with limited flights; Dehradun (Jolly Grant) and Delhi are the practical larger hubs. From any airport you still have a long road transfer.
By road: Most groups take a shared jeep or taxi from Kathgodam to Lohajung. Coming from the Garhwal side, Lohajung is reachable from Rishikesh via Karnaprayag and Tharali/Dewal. If you are already in Rishikesh for yoga or rafting, the Garhwal approach can fold neatly into a longer trip.
| From | Distance to Lohajung | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Kathgodam railway station | ~210–220 km | 10–12 hours |
| Pantnagar airport | ~250 km | 11–12 hours |
| Rishikesh | ~320 km (via Karnaprayag, Tharali) | 11–13 hours |
| Dewal (nearest small town) | ~30 km | 1–1.5 hours |
The route, lakes and summit
From Lohajung the trail climbs into mixed oak and rhododendron forest, which carries snow beautifully in winter. The first lake, Bekaltal, sits lower on the route and is the usual first night’s camp. From there the path gains height to the Brahmatal camp and the lake, then to the summit ridge, where the Trishul and Nanda Ghunti wall fills the horizon. Many groups descend by a slightly different forest route back to Lohajung, making it a loop rather than an out-and-back.
The total distance is commonly given as about 22–25 km over the trekking days; a few operators quote up to 35 km depending on the exact camps and descent used. Daily walking is short, usually 5–6 km, which is what keeps the grade friendly for beginners. If you enjoy this format, the nearby Kedarkantha winter trek is a natural next step at a similar level.
| Point | Approx. altitude | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Lohajung (base) | ~2,350 m | Roadhead village, guesthouses, last reliable network |
| Bekaltal lake | ~2,900–3,050 m | Forest lake, common first camp, freezes in deep winter |
| Brahmatal lake/camp | ~3,400–3,700 m | Higher camp, sacred lake, big peak views open up |
| Brahmatal summit ridge | ~3,700–3,750 m | Highest point; Trishul and Nanda Ghunti panorama |
Suggested day-by-day itinerary
Operators run Brahmatal most often as a 6-day trip: two travel days bookending four days on the trail. This is an indicative pattern; exact camps and distances vary between operators.
- Day 1 – Kathgodam to Lohajung: Long drive (10–12 hours) via Almora, Kausani and Gwaldam. Overnight in a Lohajung guesthouse to acclimatise.
- Day 2 – Lohajung to Bekaltal: Short climb through forest to the first lake, around 5–6 km. Camp beside Bekaltal.
- Day 3 – Bekaltal to Brahmatal camp: Steady gain along ridgelines with opening views to the higher camp near Brahmatal, around 5–6 km.
- Day 4 – Summit day and descent: Early start on frozen snow to the Brahmatal ridge and lake, then a long descent back toward Lohajung. This is the biggest day.
- Day 5 – Buffer or descent to Lohajung: Some itineraries split the descent over two days; keep a buffer for weather.
- Day 6 – Lohajung to Kathgodam: Drive out to the railhead.
Where to stay
There are two kinds of night on this trip: a bed in Lohajung at the start and end, and tented camps on the mountain. On the trail you sleep in your operator’s tents; that cost is part of the trek package, not a separate booking.
- Lohajung guesthouses and homestays (budget): Simple rooms, roughly ₹800–₹2,000 per night as a planning band; book ahead in peak winter weekends, when the village fills up. Reconfirm rates directly.
- Kausani or Almora on the drive (mid-range): If you break the long road journey, these hill towns have hotels from about ₹1,500–₹4,000. See our guide to the hill stations of Uttarakhand for options.
- Mountain camps (part of the package): Twin-share tents with sleeping bags rated for sub-zero nights. There are no fixed lodges at the lakes.
Government GMVN rest houses exist in parts of Garhwal but are not at the trek camps; treat them as a fallback on the road corridor, and confirm availability in advance.
Food on the trek
On the trail your operator provides all meals, cooked at camp: simple, warming and vegetarian by default at altitude. Expect dal (lentils), rice, roti (flatbread), a vegetable curry, and plenty of hot drinks. In Lohajung you can also try local Garhwali home cooking.
- Aloo ke gutke (spiced sautéed potatoes with cumin and chillies) – a Kumaoni-Garhwali staple you will meet on the drive in.
- Bhatt ki churkani (black soybean curry) – a warming protein-rich hill dish.
- Mandua roti (finger-millet flatbread) – dense, earthy and good fuel for cold days.
- Hot ginger-lemon-honey and masala chai – standard at camp to keep you hydrated and warm.
Carry your own trail snacks (nuts, chocolate, energy bars) as top-ups; appetite can dip at altitude, so keep eating small amounts.
Budget breakdown
Most people do Brahmatal as a fixed-departure package. Package prices below are indicative planning estimates and vary by operator, group size and inclusions; reconfirm current rates before you book. The trek fee usually covers camping, meals on the trail, guides and safety equipment, but often excludes transport to and from Kathgodam.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trek package (Lohajung to Lohajung) | 8,000–13,000 | Camping, trail meals, guide, safety gear; varies by operator |
| Kathgodam–Lohajung transport (round trip) | 2,000–3,500 | Shared jeep; often billed separately |
| Train fare Delhi–Kathgodam (return) | 1,000–3,000 | Class-dependent; reconfirm on IRCTC |
| Lohajung stay (2 nights) | 1,600–4,000 | Guesthouse/homestay if not in package |
| Gear rental, tips, extras | 1,500–3,000 | Microspikes, gaiters, poles, buffer |
Assumptions: one person, travelling from Delhi, sharing camps and transport, winter season. A realistic all-in figure lands roughly ₹14,000–₹26,000 depending on operator and how you travel. These are estimates, not quotes.
Permits and rules
Brahmatal does not sit in a restricted border zone, so Indian trekkers do not need an Inner Line Permit for it. Foreign nationals should carry a passport and confirm requirements with their operator. The trail passes through forest land, so operators typically arrange any forest camping charges and register the group; ask whether this is included.
- The lake is treated as sacred; keep it clean and, out of respect for local belief, avoid alcohol at the site.
- Carry out all waste. Uttarakhand restricts single-use plastic in hill and forest areas; pack a reusable bottle.
- Drone use in forest and Himalayan zones is regulated; do not fly without checking rules and permissions.
Where a rule or fee matters to your plan, confirm it in writing with your operator or the local forest office, as arrangements change season to season.
Practical and safety tips
This is a beginner-friendly trek, but it is still winter at altitude, and the cold and snow are the real challenge rather than the terrain.
- Altitude: You cross 2,500 m, above which acute mountain sickness (AMS) can begin. The CDC’s guidance is to ascend gradually, avoid over-exertion early, stay hydrated, and descend if symptoms such as headache, nausea or dizziness worsen. Brahmatal’s short daily climbs help, but take the Lohajung night to acclimatise. For a much higher-altitude trip later, read our Ladakh travel guide before you go.
- Network and cash: Mobile signal is patchy; expect the last reliable network around Lohajung, and none at the camps. Carry enough cash from Kathgodam or Dewal, as ATMs and UPI are unreliable in the interior.
- Nearest medical help: There is a primary health centre at Dewal, about 30 km from Lohajung; serious cases go down to larger towns. Good operators carry first aid and oxygen.
- Solo women: Fixed-departure groups with registered guides are the safest and most common way to do this trek; the trail is well used in season.
- Winter packing: Insulated waterproof boots, microspikes, gaiters, thermal layers, down jacket, waterproof shell, gloves, balaclava, sunglasses and sunscreen (snow glare is strong), plus a headlamp for the early summit start.
Nearby places
The long drive to Lohajung passes some of Kumaon’s best-known hill stations, so it is easy to add a night or two on the way.
| Place | Approx. distance from Lohajung | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Gwaldam | ~40 km | Quiet orchard town with Trishul views, a natural halt |
| Kausani | ~85 km | Panoramic Himalayan viewpoint, tea gardens |
| Almora | ~120 km | Historic Kumaon town, temples, bazaars |
| Roopkund trailhead (Wan) | ~15 km (to Wan) | Gateway to the famous Roopkund “mystery lake” route |
For a wider tour of the region’s towns and viewpoints, see our roundup of the hill stations of Uttarakhand.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the Brahmatal trek?
The Brahmatal trek is graded easy to moderate and suits fit beginners. Daily walks are short, around 5–6 km, and the maximum altitude is about 3,700 m. The real challenge is winter cold and snow underfoot, not steep or technical ground. Basic fitness and warm gear are enough for most people.
What is the best time to do the Brahmatal trek?
December to February is the best time for the classic snow experience, when the trail holds deep snow and the lakes freeze; January and February usually see the heaviest snow. March adds milder weather with snow still high up. October to early December gives clear peak views before the snow settles in.
How high is the Brahmatal summit?
The Brahmatal summit ridge is about 3,700 m; Indiahikes lists it at roughly 3,734 m (12,250 ft). Figures vary between operators from around 3,700 m to 3,850 m, and Brahmatal lake itself sits a little lower. The base village, Lohajung, is at about 2,350 m, so you gain roughly 1,350 m overall.
How do I reach Lohajung for the trek?
Lohajung is the base village. The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, about 210–220 km away, a 10–12 hour drive via Almora, Kausani and Gwaldam. The nearest airport is Pantnagar, around 250 km. Most trekkers take a train to Kathgodam, then a shared jeep to Lohajung.
Do I need a permit for the Brahmatal trek?
Indian trekkers do not need an Inner Line Permit, as Brahmatal is not in a restricted border zone. The route crosses forest land, so operators usually handle any forest camping charges and registration. Foreign nationals should carry a passport and confirm requirements. Always reconfirm current rules with your operator before travelling.
Is Brahmatal good for first-time trekkers?
Yes. Short daily distances, a gentle overall climb and well-run fixed departures make Brahmatal one of Uttarakhand’s most beginner-friendly winter treks. It is often compared with Kedarkantha as a starter snow trek. You still need to prepare for cold, use microspikes on ice, and acclimatise at Lohajung.
Last updated and sources
Go if you want a first Himalayan snow trek without technical risk, ideally between mid-December and February for the fullest winter conditions. Keep a buffer day for weather and always trek with a registered operator or guide.
Last updated: 25 September 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Indiahikes — Brahmatal Trek and Indiahikes — best time and difficulty; Bikat Adventures — Brahmatal itinerary and altitudes; Wikivoyage — Brahmatal Lake (used to locate details and the Brahma legend); CDC Yellow Book 2026 — High-Altitude Travel and Altitude Illness; and Indian Railways/NTES station and train listings for Kathgodam railway station (reconfirm live train numbers on IRCTC/NTES). Accessed September 2026.
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