Perched on the top of a beautiful mountain, Bhadraj Hill Trek is located at an altitude of 2200 meters (7,218 feet) in the western part of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India. It is one of those stunning destinations near Dehradun that can be done in a single day. For almost the whole year, this trek is brimming with incredible natural beauty.

Bhadraj Hill Trek is named after Bhadraj Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Balbhadra. Locals believe that visiting this temple amounts to visiting the Badrinath Temple - one of the ‘Char Dham’ temples. The journey to this alluring temple begins from Dudhi Village, which is approximately 15 km away from Mussoorie.

Along the lush grassy slopes, the short route takes you through diverse landscapes. As you start walking on this trek, you will witness traditional Himalayan villages and terraced fields nearby. On one side of the trail, there is this near-impenetrable forest of oak, rhododendron, and other indigenous species of flora. On the other side, you will throughout be greeted with stunning, sloppy meadows.

Historical Roots of Bhadraj Temple

Bhadraj Temple has a rich history. It was constructed just after the great Mahabharata War was concluded when all the Gods and Kings left for penance. One of the prominent kings, Lord Balram, also went on a journey to atone with his karma. While searching for a place to penance, he found this perfect spot called Binhar. The place got everything he wanted - rural ambience, natural beauty, and hospitable people who took care of his cows. He spent a significant amount of time here meditating and interacting with people. After finishing his penance, Lord Balram went to Badrinath.

Before moving to Badrinath, Balramji had promised to the people of Binhar that he would come back someday to take care of them ever after. A few decades later, one of the villagers was digging at the banks of River Yamuna when he heard a divine voice that was calling him. When he paid attention, the voice was asking him to take them out of the river. It was a statue of Lord Balram, which was asking him to carry it to a higher place. But after taking it to a certain elevation, the statue became extremely heavy and couldn’t be taken any further. This was exactly the place where the temple was constructed finally.

Detailed Itinerary of Bhadraj Hill Trek

Day 1: Cloud’s End to Dhudhli

The trek starts in the afternoon, and you proceed at a slow pace. The total distance covered on Day-1 is just 4km. At Clouds End, the track is an off-road trail running westward through an old forest of oak and deodar trees. The valley below opens up in a number of clearings providing beautiful vistas.

The trail largely runs flat but with a few occasional rises and falls. It is a very nice and fascinating walk that one would have wanted it to last forever. The weather is comfortable even during hot summer seasons, and there is a chance of a sudden shower at any time during the day.

After around 2.5 km, the path takes a sharp turn leading to the village of Dhudhli. On the path, we will come across two or three clear grassy patches where you take a halt to have some snacks and have a rest.

After revitalizing and taking a fresh walk, you will finally reach Dhudhli at around 4:00 pm. And this will be your camp and night rest. Trekking to Badhraj Hill gives you ample time to see the beauty of this quiet village, which is heaven to nature lovers and photographers. The terrain is interspersed with streams, exotic birds, and wildlife like the Himalayan Ghoral.

The accommodation is either in camps or in cozy and warm village huts, according to the weather conditions. On a cloudless night, you can sit around a bonfire and have freshly cooked food which is cooked in the open air. The villagers are also very welcoming of trekkers and spend their time telling folktales. The local mythologies as told by the old people remind one the value of history and pleasure in the simple things in life.

Dinner will be served at 8:00 pm and then everyone has time to have rest. The next day's trek is awaiting.

Day 2: Dhudhli to Bhadraj and Back.

The journey on the second day begins at around 7:30 AM just after breakfast. The trail will take you toward the west and all the way up to a ridge. It’s an 8 km trek that needs good physical fitness if you want to enjoy it comfortably. Rather than following the rugged and open ridge dividing the barren south face, you will follow a more picturesque, winding path just through the woods on the north side.

The landscape on both sides is steep. The more you get elevation the denser the forest becomes. The oak-trees here are not very old, but are probably not more than one hundred years of age. Leeches are also a concern during monsoon seasons and trekkers will need to be on guard of them and inspect the area around the socks every 15-20 minutes.

The green fields that surround Dhudhli are particularly stunning around the rains. The ascent of Dhudhli to Bhadraj Temple lasts around three hours and you arrive there by 10:30 am. You will have time to appreciate the panoramic scenes that can be seen in the temple and also to explore the nearby environment.

Finally, you start your journey back to Dhudhli by noon, and take lunch. We then proceed along the trail again to Clouds End, completing the walk in a most satisfactory manner.

Best Time To Visit Bhadraj Trek

Genuinely perfect for a weekend getaway, the Bhadraj Trek is short yet abundant in stunning beauty. It has all the natural elements from dense forests to open meadows to panoramic views of the Himalayas. The best time to enjoy this trek includes the summer months of April to June and autumn months of September and October.

During summers, the weather is extremely pleasant, skies are clear, air is crisp, and forests are decorated with beautiful rhododendron flowers. The autumn season is basically characterized by enchanting vibrant colors, stunning sunsets and sunrise, and breathtaking scenery. The daytime temperature during these months ranges from 10 to 25 degrees. The monsoon months (July and August) aren’t apt for this trek as the trails get slippery and prone to landslides.

How to Reach Bhadraj Hill Trek

The Bhadraj Trek is easily accessible and can be reached by traveling to Mussoorie via Dehradun.

If you are planning to take a flight, the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, which is approximately 30 km from Dehradun. If you are coming from the train, then after reaching the railway station, you can take a taxi to Mussoorie.

After arriving at Mussoorie, you have to proceed to the base camp - Cloud’s End, which is around 7 to 8 km from Library Chowk. Cloud’s End can easily be reached by a taxi/cab or any private vehicle from Mussoorie. From this point, a further 7 to 9 km hike will take you to the temple.

The alternative route to Bhadraj Temple starts at Dudhli Village. From this village, it takes 3 to 4 hours to reach the temple.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to complete the Bhadraj Trek?

Bhadraj Trek is one of those treks that lie in the surrounding regions of Dehradun and Mussoorie. So it is relatively nearer than many Himalayan treks. This trek can be completed in one day. At a normal and comfortable pace, it takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach the temple and return back to the starting point.

2. What is the best time to do Bhadraj Hill Trek?

The best time for the Bhadraj Trek is from April to June and from September to October when the weather is pleasant and the views are clear.

3. What is the altitude of Bhadraj temple?

Bhadraj Hill Trek is located at an altitude of 2200 meters (7,218 feet) in the western part of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India.

4. What are the highlights of the Bhadraj Trek?

Also known as “Milkman’s Trail”, Bhadraj Trek essentially offers a spiritual visit to Lord Balbhadra, while enjoying natural beauty during the whole time. On this short duration journey, you get ample beautiful things to soak in. From the top, the trek offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains. The main attraction of this trek is the captivating contrast of the high-altitude terrain, on which one side is replete with dense forest, while the other side is completely barren. The temple itself is a serene place for meditation.

5. What is the difficulty level of the Bhadraj Hill Trek?

The trail of Bhadraj Hill Trek is easy to moderate that involves a gradual ascent through a forested trail.