Auli: Trekking in the "French Alps" of India
Auli in Uttarakhand is widely marketed as India's premier ski destination. But when the snow melts in April, it reveals a vast, rolling alpine meadow (Bugyal) surrounded by oak and coniferous forests. For trekkers and nature lovers, summer in Auli is vastly superior to winter.
The Nanda Devi Spectacle
The primary reason to visit Auli is the view. It offers a completely unobstructed, panoramic view of Nanda Devi (7,816m), the second-highest mountain in India and arguably the most beautiful. Because Nanda Devi is located entirely within Indian territory (unlike Kangchenjunga which is shared with Nepal), the Indian government considers it sacred and has banned all climbing expeditions to its peak. From Auli, the twin peaks of the goddess mountain dominate the horizon, turning a brilliant gold at dawn.
The Ropeway from Joshimath
The journey to Auli is half the adventure. While you can drive up from Joshimath via a steep, winding road, the best way to arrive is via the Auli Ropeway. At 4 kilometers long, it is one of the highest and longest cable cars in Asia. The 25-minute ride lifts you out of the congested town of Joshimath, soaring silently over dense pine and oak forests, depositing you directly into the alpine meadows.
Trekking to Gorson Bugyal
Auli serves as the basecamp for one of the most rewarding short treks in the Himalayas: the Gorson Bugyal trek. It is a 3-kilometer hike (one way) from the upper Auli ropeway station. The trail winds through incredibly dense forests of oak and rhododendron before suddenly breaking out above the tree line.
You emerge onto a massive, undulating green pasture (Bugyal) at an altitude of 3,050 meters. There are no buildings, no roads, and no noise—just miles of soft grass and a 360-degree view of the Garhwal Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Dunagiri. It is an easy trek suitable for beginners, but the altitude will still leave you breathless.
Practical Information
Auli is a long, 10-to-12 hour drive from Rishikesh or Haridwar. The roads are notoriously prone to landslides during the monsoon (July-August), so avoid traveling then. The best time for trekking is May and June, or September and October for the clearest views. Carry heavy woolens regardless of the season; the wind sweeping across the meadows drops the temperature rapidly at sunset.
