Garhwal, Uttarakhand Garhwal & Kumaon

Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila

A short, steep walk to the highest Shiva temple in the world, with a further push to a 360-degree Garhwal-range summit view.

Easy-Moderate Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec Published altitude stages

Independent trail reference · Check permit and route verification below

At a glance

Trip duration
2 days
Recorded distance
8 km
Max elevation
13,123 ft
Starting area
Chopta

Catalogue values may vary by route. Confirm distances, access and seasonal conditions before travel.

Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek Overview

A short, steep walk to the highest Shiva temple in the world, with a further push to a 360-degree Garhwal-range summit view.

Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek in Uttarakhand: compare difficulty, distance, elevation, best months, permits and practical planning information before you travel.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Best months to trek

Distance, route & access

Distances depend on route variant and may not include road transfers.

Recorded start: Chopta · Estimated trip duration: 2 days. Confirm the current walkable route and travel conditions locally before departure.

Interactive location map

Open in Google Maps ↗

Map location is based on the catalogued base village or trail location. It is a planning aid, not a GPS-verified trail track; confirm the current trailhead locally before setting out.

Elevation by published trail milestone

Chopta → Tungnath → Chandrashila

Published elevations

These are elevations reported for named stages on one particular route. Connecting lines show milestone order only; the horizontal spacing is not walking distance and changes between stages are not a measured terrain profile.

Altitude (ft)8.0k9.7k11.3k13.0kChopta — 8,790 ft1Tungnath — 11,410 ft2Chandrashila — 12,083 ft3
Stage number (1–3), not distance or time · source elevations may be approximate.
8,790 ftLowest listed waypoint
12,083 ftHighest listed waypoint
3Published waypoints
See altitude for each trail stage
MilestoneElevation
1Chopta8,790 ft
2Tungnath11,410 ft
3Chandrashila12,083 ft

Different heights in Panth: the older catalogue lists 13,123 ft as its maximum, while this published Chopta → Tungnath → Chandrashila sequence reaches 12,083 ft. These may describe different trail variants or an older estimate; we are retaining both transparently until reconciled.

Route variant: Chopta → Tungnath → Chandrashila. Short Chopta summit approach, not a multi-day circuit; published heights vary slightly by reference.

A measured GPS distance/elevation profile is not yet available for this route. This graphic is for comparing stage heights, not navigation.

Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek Planning Guide

Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila is a easy-moderate trek in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand. Panth records the route as approximately 8 km over 2 days, reaching a maximum elevation of 13,123 ft. These facts help trekkers compare this route with other trails in India before planning a trip.

Best time to trek Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila

The Panth catalogue currently lists Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec as the best months for this trail. Seasonal conditions can vary considerably by altitude and year, so use this as a planning window rather than a guarantee. Check recent local weather, access restrictions and trail reports before travelling.

Route and itinerary

The current Panth itinerary contains 2 planned days, including Chopta to Tungnath to Chandrashila and Descend to Chopta. The route information on this page is based on the current Panth record; where a route detail is missing or marked unverified, do not treat the page as a substitute for an official trail map or local guide.

Permits, access and logistics

No advance permit is recorded; local fees or permissions may still apply. The recorded base location is Chopta, and the nearest listed rail connection is Rishikesh (via Haridwar), then a road journey to Chopta. Permit rules, forest access, road conditions and local entry requirements can change, particularly in protected and border areas.

Difficulty and preparation

A easy-moderate rating is a comparison signal, not a guarantee of difficulty for every person. Consider distance, elevation, elevation gain, weather and your own experience before choosing Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila. At high altitude, acclimatization and conservative pacing matter as much as general fitness.

Safety and responsible trekking

Current Panth notes highlight 2 planning considerations, including Can be attempted as a single long day, but overnighting near Tungnath gives far better sunrise views for modest extra effort and Icy in winter — microspikes recommended December-February. The current packing notes include Microspikes for winter dates, Warm layer for the exposed Chandrashila summit, windy in every season. Carry appropriate clothing, navigation tools, water and emergency essentials for the conditions. Follow local Forest Department or park rules, avoid littering, respect wildlife and communities, and do not rely on an old online permit or access statement.

Explore more treks in Uttarakhand

Use the regional and related-trail links on this page to compare Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila with other Indian trekking routes by difficulty, duration, altitude and season. This makes Panth useful both for people who already know the trail they want and for trekkers still deciding where to go.

Day-by-day itinerary

D1
Chopta to Tungnath to Chandrashila

Climb past Tungnath temple to the Chandrashila summit for sunset or sunrise, camp near Tungnath.

D2
Descend to Chopta

Return the same route to the roadhead.

Safety notes

  • Can be attempted as a single long day, but overnighting near Tungnath gives far better sunrise views for modest extra effort
  • Icy in winter — microspikes recommended December-February

What to pack

  • Microspikes for winter dates
  • Warm layer for the exposed Chandrashila summit, windy in every season

Frequently asked questions about Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila

Where is Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila located?

Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila is listed in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, within the Uttarakhand trekking area.

What is the difficulty of the Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek?

Panth currently rates this trail as Easy-Moderate. Also consider altitude, weather, distance and your own experience.

What is the best time to trek Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila?

Panth currently lists Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. Verify current weather and trail access before travelling.

Is a permit required for Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila?

No advance permit is currently recorded, although local entry fees or rules may still apply.

How long is the Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek?

The catalogue records 2 days and approximately 8 km. Actual walking time can vary with route conditions, acclimatization, weather and itinerary.