Baraadsar Lake Trek

The Baraadsar Lake Trek is a spellbinding Himalayan escapade that is hidden away in the Uttarakhand area, lying between the Rupin and Supin valleys of the Garhwal Himalayas. This trek, going beyond merely reaching a high-altitude lake, is about encountering virgin wilds, metamorphosing sceneries, and sensing the thrill of overcoming tough conditions. Being a glacial lake of about 4,300 meters altitude, Baraadsar Lake is enveloped with peaks covered in snow, alpine meadows, and dense forests. The trek of this nature is rated as moderate; hence, it is a perfect option for experienced trekkers who are in for the duel of adventure and spiritual peace. The trek to Baraadsar Lake is a practically hidden treasure, as it is less traversed than the other Himalayan treks, and this is the reason for its unspoiled beauty and solitude.On the route, visitors along the way can walk through enchanting pine forests, colourful meadows like Devbasa, and high ridges where they can see the vast Bandarpunch, Kalanag, and Swargarohini ranges. The ground keeps changing, from soft grassy areas to steep rocky climbs and snowy ridges. A highlight of the trek is the Baraadsar Pass, which is located near the lake and links Rupin Valley and Supin Valley, thus, a trading route of the past. The trek is generally between 7 to 9 days, whereby each day nature's beauty and challenges are discovered. Trekkers will find the area far away from the madding crowd, and hence, will have a chance to enjoy a pure Himalayan experience. Locals consider the Baraadsar Lake itself as sacred and believe that it is a lake of the gods. Lying under the stars by the lake is truly unforgettable, as the silence of the wild high up creates an atmosphere of tranquillity. The Baraadsar Lake Trek is all that and more for thrill seekers: it is a seamless combination of rough and rugged adventure, meeting the locals, and spiritual calmness.History of Baraadsar LakeLegends, folklore, and cultural traditions have been at the core of the history of Baraadsar Lake. According to the people living in the Tons Valley, the lake is considered one of the holy lakes in the area, which is thought to be a blessing from the local gods. The term "Baraadsar" itself is claimed to be derived from very old words from the region, almost meaning "The Lake of Meetings" or "Lake of Divine Assembly." Hundreds of years ago, it was the place where locals came to perform their rituals for the blessings of the land, getting lots of food, and feeling safe from unfortunate events.UNLOC Besides that, Baraadsar was a religious place only, but also an important point on the earth. The Baraadsar Pass, not far from the lake, was a natural route linking Rupin Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Supin Valley in Uttarakhand. The route was used by shepherds, traders, and villagers for seasonal migration, grazing their cattle, and exchanging products from one region to another. The pass and the lake were becoming more and more important culturally and economically with time, and the place was thus the centre of the interaction between the communities.Baraadsar Lake is said to have secret powers according to local folklore. Many villagers are of the opinion that the water of the lake is inhabited by gods and hence, it should not be disturbed. Not taking a risk, the locals traditionally kept themselves away and most probably never camped by the banks of the lake. Stories are still circulating about the spiritual meeting and the help of the deity by the elders of the nearby villages, such as the Dhatmeer, Jakhol, and Himri. According to history, the lake also appears in stories of the old Garhwali kings and local chiefs who regarded it as a boundary line between the territories. There is no historical proof of fights or conflicts in the area, but some oral traditions say that Baraadsar was a common place where people took their oath because of its holy nature. The lake has since been discovered by trekkers, and Baraadsar Lake slowly got famous of adventurous seekers in the 20th century. But it has stayed mostly unspoiled due to its difficult and remote approach, and so it is still a trekking paradise to this day and a cultural landmark where history, spirituality and adventure are combining in a very elegant manner. The lake is still a point where people pay their respects to the nature and tradition of the Himalayas.Nearby Places to Baraadsar Lake TrekRupin Valley: Rupin Valley is stunningly beautiful as it lies in the Western Himalayas on the Himachal side of the Baraadsar Pass. Its waterfalls, hanging villages, and green meadows have become famous, which are also entirely different from those of the Supin Valley. People who like trekking usually mix the Baraadsar route with other trails of the Rupin Pass, so they can have a longer trek. Picturesque small villages are scattered all over the valley that showing the traditional lifestyle of the people of Himachal and these were what we saw during our 8-day road trip.Supin Valley: Situated in Uttarakhand, Supin Valley is not less beautiful from the point of view of nature. The valley is full of dense pine, deodar forests, alpine pastures, and riverside campsites. Some villages of the Supin Valley are Jakhol, Himri, and Dhatmeer. They are located at the feet of the Baraadsar Trek route and thus, allow entry into the route. Snow-capped mountains surround the valley that still holds on tightly to its rich cultural heritage, giving the lofts a peek at the local Garhwali traditions, wooden houses, and the festivals becoming a part of everyday life.Har Ki Dun: One of the most famous valleys "The Valley of Gods", near the well-known Har Ki Dun Valley is just a few uphills away. Among the many lofty peaks enclosing it, Swargarohini and Kalanag are the most famous. It is said that the Pandavas took this path to heaven in the past. It is one of the most sought-after treks of Uttarakhand because of its simple approach, beautiful villages, and green meadows.Dodital Lake: Dodital is a beautiful lake like the many others of the high Himalayas situated in Uttarakhand. It is located near Uttarkashi and is linked to the myth of Lord Ganesha. To be more specific, the lake has become a favorite place for nature lovers and mythologists for clear water, the forest of rhododendron surrounding the lake, and the availability of trout fishing.Sankri Village: Sankri is a town of energy located approximately 200 km from Dehradun. The town is the starting point of the Baraadsar, Har Ki Dun, Kedarkantha, and Rupin Pass treks. Consequently, it could be regarded as an important centre for trekking in the Western Himalayas. The little town in the Himalayas has acquired notoriety for its nice personality, traditional homestays, and amazing views of the snow-covered peaks. In addition, the operations related to porters, guides, and supplies that cover the mountain trekking territory are started here.Best Time to Visit Baraadsar Lake TrekSummer (May – June): One of the most interesting and beautiful times to try the Baraadsar Lake Trek is in summer. At this time of the year, the melting of the snow has started, whereby the grass is visible covering the vast meadows that are dotted with colourful wildflowers. Usually, the weather during this season is good with blue skies and hence a spectacular view of the neighbouring mountains such as Kalanag, Swargarohini, and Bandarpunch. The temperature in the day is quite moderate; however, it could be very cold at night at the higher camps. The time is great for the trekkers who are willing to witness the flowering of the land and the continuation of good weather.Post-Monsoon (September – October): A fourth period during which this excursion would be considered a good idea is after the monsoon when the valleys are still fresh, the rivers full, and the meadows definitely greener than at any other time. The sky is still very clear, and thus, taking pictures and having panoramic views of the Himalayas at this time will be perfect. Autumn also causes the forests and grasslands to turn brown giving the area a beautiful and distinctive look. Despite that, hikers should still prepare themselves for the cold nights that come with the approach of winter. This time is particularly recommended for people looking to see nature at its most beautiful and still encounter adventurous weather.Avoiding Winter (November – April): Winter at Baraadsar Lake Trek is disastrous as the entire area gets covered in snow which is highly problematic as it leads to closure of the trails and almost no access to the Baraadsar Pass. Furthermore, due to the phenomenon when the water in the lake freezes thus camping gets so hard due to the occurrence of very low temperatures which are below zero degrees. A small group of skilled climbers with the appropriate gear are the only ones who dare to do the deep winter trek. So, for the majority of the trekkers, it would be most appropriate not to go there during these months.How to Reach Baraadsar Lake TrekBy Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, is the nearest airport to the Baraadsar Lake trek, about 200 km from Sankri, the base village of the trek. Dehradun is regularly connected by flights to Delhi and other big cities in India. Trekkers can take a cab or a shared taxi after their flight at the airport to reach Sankri via Purola and Mori. It is about 8-10 hours by road.By Railway Station: The nearest railway station is Dehradun which has good connections to Delhi, Haridwar and other cities of North India. For trekkers, the most comfortable way to bring them from Delhi to Dehradun is an overnight train. One can get a private taxi, local bus or shared jeep from Dehradun railway station to Sankri, which is the starting point of the Baraadsar Lake Trek.By Road: Uttarakhand’s major towns, including Dehradun, are linked by excellent road transport services. Mussoorie, Purola, and Mori are the places via which the trek from Dehradun to Sankri (approximately 200km) is done. The drive is very beautiful with the road going through the mountain, pine forest, and river valley landscape that are seen along the way. Buses and shared jeeps are also available, but most of the trekkers prefer private taxis for their comfort and flexibility.Why Book with escape2exploreWhen exploring the Baraadsar Lake Trek and beyond, escape2explore stands out as a trusted name in adventure and experiential travel. Here’s why hundreds of travellers choose us for their getaways:Trusted, Well-Reviewed Local Operator: escape2explore has gained the trust of thousands of content tourists all over India. 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