Last Updated on April 14, 2025 by admin

The Dehradun to Kedarnath trip is specially for Kedarnath Temple Darshan. Kedarnath temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and a special spot during the Chardham Yatra. As the most popular Hindu temple, it increases the religious beauty of the Garhwal Himalayan range. This religious journey takes you from the sacred banks of the Ganga River (in Haridwar) to the higher Himalayan shrine of Lord Kedarnath. 

In the way of travelling, you will ride through the gorgeous mountains, peaceful villages and the sacred vibes of nature. For travelling with family or friends, you will get here beneficial travel tips that will make your journey joyful and stress-free. And, with Bharat Taxi – Online Taxi Service in Dehradun, you will get here full travel guide for this pilgrimage ride.

1. About the Route: Dehradun to Kedarnath Trip

Routes during the Dehradun to Kedarnath trip are mountainous, where you will get zig-zag roads. You will cover 250 km by road up to Gaurikund via Rishikesh, Devprayag and Sonprayag. The total time will be about 9-10 hours by a cab, depending on traffic, weather and road conditions. 

After visiting there, you will need to trek approximately 16 km from Gaurikund to arrive at the Kedarnath Temple. So, you can start your trek, take short breaks and take care of your health during the journey. Let’s see in some useful steps: –

  1. Road Trip Starting Point: Dehradun (450 meters above sea level)
  2. Road Trip Ending Point: Gaurikund (1,982 meters above sea level) 
  3. Trekking Distance: 16 km (6-8 hours of journey) from Gaurikund to Kedarnath
  4. Road Distance: 250 km up to Gaurikund
  5. Ride duration: 9 – 10 Hours (Mostly depends on Traffic & weather conditions)

2. Best Time to Travel

If planning the Dehradun to Kedarnath trip, selecting a good travel time may be most important. You can do it in 2 phases – first from April to June, and Second from September to November. These months will offer pleasant weather and clear roads for the ride. Try to skip the monsoon time journey because the weather can create problems on the way and affect the trip timing. The Kedarnath temple generally opens in late April or the start of May and closes around Bhai Dooj in November. Open timing depends on the Hindu calendar and closing time mostly on snowfall.  

Best travelling months:

  1. Late April to June: During these months, you will get the best weather that is good for trekking and sightseeing.
  2. September to early November: These months are the end of the season, so you will get fewer crowds and clear skies with great views.
  3. Avoiding July-August – You can try to avoid monsoon months due to heavy rain, risk of landslides, and road blocks. Generally, it will take a lot of time to visit Kedarnath due to lots of blocks and traffic.

3. Points to Explore on the way

During the Dehradun to Kedarnath trip, you will get a variety of natural and spiritual spots on the way. Through the Himalayan valley, you will find hilly areas that will be full of natural views. The journey of this route is long, so you can plan your stops on the way. On the way, you will get various points to explore: 

1. Rishikesh – Ghat & Aarati View

On the way of Dehradun to Kedarnath trip, Rishikesh is just 40 km from Dehradun. You can see the Ghat, Ganga Aarati along with Ram & Laxman Jhula. Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat may be one of the great charm there when visiting with family or friends. Also, it will offer some adventure sports like rafting, cliff jumping and more. 

2. Devprayag – The Sacred Confluence

Devprayag is a confluence spot where the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet and become the Ganga. Here, you will find various temples and the natural views of the river confluence. You can plan a short stop here and spend some sacred time around.

3. Rudraprayag – Gateway to Kedarnath

Rudraprayag lies at the point where the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers meet. You can see here the natural beauty of the surroundings along with the Sangam area. Also, you can visit the Chamunda Devi temple if you have time during your short break. Also, if planning to stay for the night, you will get the full facilities from hotels to restaurants, along with a good location to spend the night.

4. Guptkashi – Sacred Town with a View

Guptkashi is another spot to make a short stay during your Dehradun to Kedarnath trip. During your short break, you can explore the Vishwanath temple and the Ardhnarishwar temple. You can see a clear view of snow-capped peaks from Guptkashi town. These things make it one of the most popular locations on this route.

5. Sonprayag – Registration & Rest Point

Sonprayag is the major point where you can do the registration process for the Kedarnath trek. Before reaching Gaurikund, it is a key spot to take a short break. If planning a multiday ride, you can also book your hotel here to spend the night. You can explore Mata Shakambhari Devi temple, Shaktirupini Devi temple, Sonprayag Ghat and more.

6. Gaurikund – The Trek Starts Here

Gaurikund is famous for Maa Gauri – Goddess Parvati. Goddess Parvati is meditated here for Lord Shiva. You will find here the Gauri Temple, a Hot water spring, and various stalls for food and taking a short break on the way. This location is the last road trip spot from where you start your trek.

4. Local Places to Visit in Kedarnath

After visiting Kedarnath, you will get to various tourist places in the local area during a family trip or solo ride. The divine energy of Kedarnath and the natural beauty of the mountains will take you away from a normal journey. Apart from the Kedarnath temple, you will find the following peaceful and spiritual places nearby: –

1. Bhairavnath Temple

Bhairavnath Temple is just a few steps uphill from the Kedarnath temple. This temple belongs to Lord Bhairav, who guards the Kedarnath temple at closing time. From here, you can find a great view of Kedarnath valley and snow-covered hills. Visiting here is much easier and hassle-free from the main temple with good and short climbing.

2. Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi

Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi sthal is just behind the Kedarnath temple. Shankaracharya helped Hinduism to be brought back in India and attain Moksha at the age of 32 years. You will feel the deep spiritual environment in the region. During the trip, you can take a short rest here after the darshan of Baba Kedarnath.

3. Vasuki Tal

Vasuki Tal is a lake about 8 km from Kedarnath, where you will find snowy peaks around it. At this Tal, Lord Vishnu took a bath, and also this Tal looks like Lord Shiva’s snake Vasuki. The trek here is tough, but you will get an amazing natural view in the valley.