Nature · Auli & Joshimath, Garhwal
Meadow walk to Gorson Bugyal
From the top of the Auli slope, a forest trail of about 3 km leads through oak and conifer to Gorson Bugyal, a wide alpine meadow facing Nanda Devi and Nanda Ghunti. Gentle, quiet and best in the clear months of autumn.
Photo: Vaibhav78545 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsGorson Bugyal is the larger meadow above Auli, a sweep of grassland several hundred acres across. The trail leaves from the upper end of the Auli slope near the top of the chairlift and climbs gently through oak, fir and rhododendron forest for about 3 km before opening onto the meadow. Allow 1.5–2 hours up at an easy pace.
From the meadow the views reach Nanda Devi and Nanda Ghunti, and on very clear days Dronagiri and the peaks towards the Niti valley. In spring the grass greens and small flowers come up; in October it turns gold. About a kilometre on lies Chattarkund, a small pond in the forest. Fit walkers can continue towards Tali Top with a local guide.
Carry water, snacks and a warm layer, as there are no shops on the trail outside peak season. Weather changes fast at this height; turn back if cloud rolls in and you lose the path. In winter the meadow is under snow and the route becomes a snowshoe or ski-touring trail; go only with a guide. Leave no litter: these meadows are grazing land for village herds in summer.
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Trips through Auli & Joshimath
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Each of these trips stops in Auli & Joshimath. Tell us and we keep a slot for this day.
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Comfort
Kedarnath, Tungnath and Badrinath by car
Private car with driver
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Valley of Flowers and Hemkund by bus
UTC and GMOU buses, shared jeeps and walking
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Signature
Kedarnath by helicopter, Badrinath and Ananda
Private car with driver and helicopter shuttle
Questions
Before you book
How long is the Gorson Bugyal trek?
About 3 km one way from the upper Auli slope, roughly 1.5–2 hours up and an hour down. It is a gentle trail through forest. With Chattarkund and photo stops, allow 4–5 hours for the round trip.
Can I do Gorson Bugyal in winter?
Yes, but it becomes a snow walk. Use a local guide, wear waterproof boots or snowshoes and start early. In heavy snow the trail is hard to follow. Check weather and snow conditions in Auli before setting out.
Is Gorson Bugyal suitable for children?
Yes, for children used to walking. The path is gentle with few steep sections. Keep them close where the trail runs above slopes and dress them in warm layers, as the meadow is windy even on sunny days.