Let’s Clear the Myth of Kedarnath Vs Kedarkantha

Many trekkers get confused between the Kedarkantha and Kedarnath treks. Probably because their names sound similar. But they are worlds apart. We explain how the two journeys differ in this blog.

Trek to Kedarnath

This is one of our country's most popular pilgrimages. It is located in the Rudraprayag district and can be reached from Sonaprayag.

This journey begins at Gaurikund at 6502 feet and ascends to the Kedarnath temple at 11,755 feet. The total distance travelled is 16 kilometres. To get to Gaurikund, take the Rishikesh-Devaprayag-Rudraprayag-Sonaprayag-Gaurikund route.

The entire trail is well-cemented because it is one of our country's most popular pilgrim trails. Somewhat like the one you find on the Valley of Flowers-Hemkund Sahib walk.

Trek to Kedarkantha

In contrast, Kedarkantha is not a pilgrimage route. It is a trek to the summit of the Kedarkantha mountain. This hike is located in the Uttarkashi district and can be reached from Dehradun. The Kedarkantha trek's basecamp sankri, is 196 kilometres from Dehradun.

This journey takes you from Kotgaon at 5570 feet to the top of Kedarkantha at 12,500 feet. This walk should be completed in four days.

This hike has no established track. You hike through a pine and oak forest, eventually reaching the summit above the tree line.

The primary distinction between the Kedarnath and Kedarkantha treks

The intention is the only significant difference. If you are seeking a pilgrim route to one of the Char Dhams, Kedarnath is definitely a better option. Please keep in mind that the Kedarnath temple is only open to pilgrims between May and October.

If you want to trek in the Himalayas in the wild, Kedarnath is a better option. This journey is open for nine months of the year. It is not recommended to conduct this walk during the rainy season because the trail becomes slippery and there are no mountain views owing to the overcast weather.

The Kedarkantha trip offers the ideal combination of challenge, adventure, and magnificent vistas, with a track filled with lush oak and pine woods, wide-open green meadows, peaceful lakes, picture-perfect campsites, and panoramic views of towering Himalayan peaks.

If you want to trek to Kedarkantha, you can find all the information you need on our Kedarkantha Trek Page.