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For those fascinated by the unexplored, the hills of Uttaranchal offer breathtak¬ingly adventurous trekking routes. The Panch Kedar trek is the first one to try. Panch Kedars are the five different forms of the Hindu God Shiva, and are known as Kedarnath (3584m), Madmaheshwar (3289m), Tungnath (3810m), Rudranath (2286m), and Kalpnath (2134m). The moutainscape from each temple is fascinat-ing, the valley full of rich fauna & flora and the people, hospitable.

The Kedarnath �\" Vasuki Tal trek starts from Gaurikund, where one can have a refreshing bath in the hot water sulphur springs. The trek starts from Gaurikundto Rambarawinds along the river Manda¬kini through forests and across beautiful waterfalls. The trek from Kedarnath to Vasuki Tal is a continuous ascent along a goat track and it offers a panoramic view of Chaukhamba peaks. The final trek to Vasuki Tal is downhill for 1 km. At the bottom of this one can see rectangular slabs of rocks.

Another impressive trek in Uttaranchal is the Dodi Tal trek. Dodi Tal is situated at an elevation of 3024 m. north of Uttarkashi and is surrounded by dense woods of oak, pine, deodar and rhododendrons. The crystal clear lake is full of rare fishes and the Himalayan Golden Trout. The trek to Dodi Tal commences from Uttarkashi to Sangam Chatti and is approachable by mo¬tor. Sangam Chatti to Agoda is a gradual climb through woods, fields and villages on a mule track. The trek from Agoda to Dodi Tal is steep and through thick forests.

The Gangotri �\" Kedarnath trek is along the old pilgrim route from Gangotri to Kedarnath. From Gangotri one has to come down to Mala by motor. The actual trek starts from Mala, after crossing the river Bhagirathi. The trek is on level up to Sauri-ki-gad and from this point the climb to Be¬lak is gradual. From Belak to Budha Kedar, it is downhill through dense forests full of birds and wildlife. From Budha Kedar to Panwali, it is an uphill climb through ter¬raced fields and picturesque villages. The enchanting view of the Garhwal Himalaya is very refreshing and compensates the ef¬forts of regular ascend and descend. The ‘Bugyals’ (alpine meadows) on this trek are most beautiful, especially the Kush- Kalyani and the Panwali bugyals.

For the most adventurous trekkers, with fundamental knowledge of the moutains, the Kalindikhal trek provides a rare experience. The trek takes one from Nandanvan to Vasuki Tal after due ac-climatization. There is a gradual ascend of 10 km. thereafter, the trek negotiates Kharapathar at a height of 5456 m. before camping at Kalindi base (5590 m.). Cross¬ing the Kalindi Pass, one treks down to Arwa glacier and Arwatal (3980 m.) to Badrinath via Ghastoli with two main riv¬ers crossing on the way.

Surrounded by the river Pushpavati and small streams, at an elevation rang¬ing from 3000 to 4000 metres, the Valley of Flowers is nearly 10 km. in length and 2 km. in width. The Valley of Flowers and Hemkund trek starts from Govindghat (19 kms.), on the way to Badrinath, having two major gradients, one initially from Alaknanda suspension bridge of Govind¬ghat to Pulana village, for 3 km. and the other from Bhundar to Ghangharia. A bifurcation point is reached after trekking 3 km. from Ghangharia.

The Khatling glacier is a lateral glacier, at the source of river Bhilangana. Sahsratal and Masartal are on the west and east of it. The valley of Bhilangana affords a panoramic view of snow capped peaks and hanging glaciers. The Khatling �\" Sah¬sratal �\" Masartal trek passes through thick forests and beautiful lush green meadows. In rainy season, the meadows burst with splendid flowers. Trekkers will have to cross scores of small streams on impro¬vised log bridges on this route.

At an elevation of 3566 m. is sur¬rounded by glittering peaks and dense forests. The forests are rich in wildlife and are a veritable paradise for bird-watchers and nature lovers. The road from Netwar to Osla is through dense forests of chest¬nuts, walnuts, willows and chinars. The trek from Osla to Har-ki-doon is through terraced mountain fields, lush green grassy land and conifer forests.

Situated at a height of 5029 m. in the lap of Trisul Massif, the Roopkund area is usually called the ‘Mystery Lake’, since hu¬man skeletons and remains of horses from the Palaeolithic age were found here. The lake is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow clad peaks. The starting point of the trek is Tharali, easily approached by motor from Rishikesh. Roopkund can also reach from Ghat, connected by the motorable road with Nandprayag situated on the main highway to Badrinath. The route passes through lush green grassy land and conifer forests clinging on to the slopes of hills. The trek thereafter winds its way along the Pindar River. Then to round off this trek, one can approach Homekund via Shail Samudra glacier and then move on to Ghat or Nandprayag.

The Kuari Pass is approached through a narrow goat track at an elevation of 4265 m. in the heart of Chamoli district. The glori¬ous view of the imposing eastern peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas is unforgettably enchanting. They appear so close with their grand glittering snow caps that one feels like almost touching them. If the weather is clear then the peaks visible from Kuari Pass are Nandadevi, Dunagiri, Bethartoli, Devathan, etc. Since Lord Curzon once trekked upto Kuari Pass, the trek is known as Curzon trek.

At the foothills of the Garhwal Himalaya ranges, north east of Mussoorie, Nagtibba is at an altitude of 3048 m. The Mussoorie �\" Nagtibba trek starts from Dhanaulti on a forest track up to Morina Dhar. This place is situated on a saddle and at sunrise it is a beautiful sight to watch the sun peeping from behind the mountains. From Morina Dhar the trek is on a ridge, most of the time parallel to the Garhwal Himalaya ranges from Swaragarohini to Nandadevi. This part of the trek is very rich in flora and fauna, only a few villages enroots and even those are abandoned during winter months. From Nagtibba to Nainbag is a downhill trek to the picturesque village of Pantwari (motorable too).

A cultural and historical trek in the Jaunsar-Babar region at the foothills of Garhwal Himalaya, between the rivers Yamuna and the Tons will be an unforget¬table moment for every trekker. This trek has great historical importance, for at Kalsi there is a rock edict of the Ashokan period in Pali script. And many other cultural and historical things can be found here.

The Pithoragarh �\" Tawa¬ghat �\" Parwati lake �\" Chhota Kailash �\" Sinla Pass trek is an exciting trekking region of Kali, Kuti and Dhauli rivers, where one not only walks along a large portion of the Kailash �\" Mansarovar route, but also gets an exposure to the socio-culture life of the people living in the Chaudans, Byans and Dharma valleys. Dharchula is the base of the treks that takes one to Jolingkong called Chhota Kailash and its small but beautiful lake called Parwati Tal. The route to Simla Pass is under a heavy blanket of snow and from here one can constantly see the Chhota Kailash peak.

In Bageshwar �\" Liti �\" Namik Glacier trek, one can see the snout of Namik Gla¬cier and the stream coming down from Anargal and meeting the main stream after going through Jogi Udiyar the ascent of Bhindawali and Penthang.

The Munsyari �\" Milam Glacier trek will be a wonderful experience for every trekker. At 2290 m. Munsyari is on the ar¬terial water body of the Goriganga which emerges from the Milan glacier system of the eastern flanks of the Nandadevi Sanctuary, fed also the Kalabuland glacier and the Panchachuli from further east. The Milam glacier snout at 3872 m. is the nodal point for a variety of high grade routes and peaks.

Another important trek is the Bageshwar �\" Saung �\" Sunderdhunga glacier trek. Bageshwar is an impor-tant pilgrimage centre of the Kumaon Himalayas. This place is also the base for the popular trekking routes of Sunder¬dhunga, Pindari and Kafni, Devikund, Durgakund glaciers. A trek to the Pindari glacier is 3 km. long and 1/4th km. broad connected to the south-western slope of the outer walls of the Nandadevi Sanctu¬ary will be a fascinating experience. And Khati is the last village on this trek from where the route diverts to Kafni glacier at the foot of Nanda Kot.