Triund Trek – Himachal

Pondering at the edge of the mountain, I stood before the majestic Dhauladhar range. The three towering peaks, from which Triund gets its name (Tri meaning three and Und meaning peaks), rose proudly in front of me. Behind me, a few tents were scattered across the meadows. Day hikers were preparing to descend, and the crowd had thinned. I walked along the rocky terrain, quietly taking in the vastness of the mountains and the endless sprawl of the Kangra Valley. There was a stillness in the air, the kind I had travelled solo for thousands of miles to experience.

My journey began in Dharamkot village near Mcleodganj, Himachal. I made my way through the quiet interior of the village to reach Gullu Temple, the official start of the trek. The trail wound uphill through a forest shaded by pines, oaks and cedars. The sun was warm but not harsh, and a gentle breeze kept me company. On the way, I met a few fellow hikers, a father with two daughters, aged around seventeen and seven, and a group of three friends from Delhi. We exchanged words and walked together for a while until we reached the Magic View Café. True to its name, the view was breathtaking.

After the café, the trail became steeper and more demanding. Three hours of panting and winding along rocky path brought me to Triund. The open meadows were filled with hikers of all ages, relaxing and taking in the incredible scenery. I booked a tent from one of the five cafés that offer food and shelter and took time to explore. The slopes were dotted with local Gaddis shearing sheep, while the sun quietly sank behind the ridge. Down below, Dharamshala, McLeodganj, and Dharamkot twinkled in soft golden light.

Later, I met two solo hikers, Siddharth and Chris, who became my neighbors for the night. As evening deepened, the sky lit up with countless stars, and the temperature began to drop quickly. We gathered around a bonfire, sipping chai and sharing stories. After dinner at the café, we walked through the cold silence and sat on some lonely rocks nearby. The entire landscape was wrapped in darkness, with only a few solar lamps faintly lighting the café area. We spoke quietly for a while, then headed back to our tents. Sleep came lightly and restlessly as the temperature continued to fall through the night.

We woke early the next morning to witness the sunrise. The sky was still dark, but a few of the peaks had already started to glow with yellow light. I set up my camera for a time-lapse and went for a short walk with Chris, enjoying the sun’s warmth as it slowly filled the valley. By early afternoon, we packed our things and made our way back down to Dharamkot.

Later, as I rested in my room with sore legs and a tired body, I reflected on the experience. A deep feeling of freedom and completeness rose within me. Traveling solo is a joy in itself. When it is paired with a beautiful place and the kindness of strangers, it becomes something truly special.