| Chandrashila | |
|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,000 m (13,000 ft) [1][2] |
| Coordinates | 30°29′17″N 79°13′16″E / 30.488°N 79.221°E |
| Geography | |
| Location | Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India |
| Parent range | Garhwal Himalaya |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Trek from Chopta via Tungnath |
The Chopta–Chandrashila trek is a short Himalayan trek in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. It begins at Chopta and leads to the Chandrashila summit (4,000 m), passing through the Tungnath temple, the highest Shiva temple in the world.[3][1] The trek is known for its accessibility, offering views of major Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, and Kedarnath.[4][5]
Geography[edit | edit source]
The trek is located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.[1] The base, Chopta, is an alpine meadow at an altitude of approximately 2,680 metres (8,790 ft) on the Gopeshwar–Ukhimath road.[6] The trail passes through forests of rhododendron, oak, and deodar before emerging above the tree line at Tungnath.[6]
The Chandrashila summit is the peak above the Tungnath temple.[3] It lies at an elevation of approximately 4,000 metres (13,123 ft).[1] The summit offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Garhwal Himalayas, including Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Trishul (7,120 m), Chaukhamba (7,138 m), Kedar Dome, Kedarnath, and Bandarpunch.[4][5]
Trek route[edit | edit source]
The trek is approximately 5 km one way, with a total elevation gain of about 1,300 metres from Chopta to the summit.[2][7] It is generally considered easy to moderate in difficulty and can be completed in 4 to 6 hours round trip.[2][1]
The route is divided into two sections:
- Chopta to Tungnath
This is a 3.5 km uphill trek through dense forests.[6] The path is stone-paved in most sections.[8] In spring, the trail is known for rhododendron blooms.[6] The trail emerges at the Tungnath temple at an altitude of 3,680 metres (12,073 ft).[8]
- Tungnath to Chandrashila
From Tungnath, a further 1.5 km steep climb leads to the Chandrashila summit.[2] This final section is on a rougher, rocky trail above the tree line.[8] Most trekkers leave before dawn from Tungnath to witness the sunrise from the summit.[5]
Tungnath Temple[edit | edit source]
Tungnath is the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples and is believed to be over 1,000 years old.[8][9] It is dedicated to Shiva and is the highest Shiva temple in the world, located at an altitude of 3,680 metres (12,073 ft).[8][10] According to Hindu mythology, the temple is where the arms of Lord Shiva appeared, and it is linked to the legend of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata.[9][8] The temple remains closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall.[8]
Chandrashila summit[edit | edit source]
The name Chandrashila literally means "Moon Rock."[3][4] Several legends are associated with the peak. One legend states that it is the place where Lord Rama meditated after defeating the demon-king Ravana.[3][4] Another legend says that the moon-god Chandra spent time here in penance.[3][4]
The summit provides views of the Himalayas and is a popular spot for watching the sunrise.[5] It has a small temple at the top.[3]
Seasons[edit | edit source]
The trek can be undertaken throughout the year, but the most favourable seasons are:
- April to June (Spring/Summer): The weather is pleasant, and the rhododendron forests are in bloom.[6][11]
- September to November (Autumn): This period offers clear mountain views and green meadows.[6][11]
Winter trekking (December–February) is possible but the trail may require mountaineering gear due to snow.[8] The trek is not recommended during the monsoon (July–August) due to heavy rain and landslide risks.[11]
Safety and closures[edit | edit source]
In June 2026, local authorities temporarily suspended the Chandrashila trek following a series of deadly lightning strikes and bad weather.[12] The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for parts of Rudraprayag district, and access beyond Chandrashila was restricted after 12 PM daily.[13] The closure followed a lightning strike on May 30 that killed two trekkers from Lucknow.[12] In April 2026, 30 trekkers were rescued after being stranded by a sudden storm on the Tungnath-Chandrashila route.[14]
Access[edit | edit source]
Chopta is accessible by road from major cities:
- From Rishikesh: approximately 200 km (7–8 hours) via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Ukhimath.[6]
- From Haridwar: approximately 225 km (8–9 hours).[6]
- From Delhi: approximately 420 km (10–12 hours).[6]
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (approximately 226 km), and the nearest railway station is in Rishikesh (approximately 209 km).[6]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Chandrisilla Peak". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Chandrashila Summit". NakshIQ. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Chandrashila Boys". Himalayan Explorers' Club, IIT Roorkee. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Chandrashila Peak". EcoHeritage, CPREEC. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Worth the 3am wake-up: 5 Indian treks with spectacular sunrise views". The Indian Express. 13 September 2026. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 "Chopta guide: Tungnath base and rhododendron meadows". NakshIQ. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ "Chopta to Tungnath: Distance, Height & Weather Guide". Indiahikes. 19 August 2026. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 "Tungnath guide: trekking the highest Shiva temple". NakshIQ. 18 March 2026. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Maha Shivaratri 2025: Exploring The Sacred Panch Kedar Of Uttarakhand". Outlook Traveller. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ "Did You Know That World's Highest Shiva Temple Is Located In Uttarakhand?". Curly Tales. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Here's Where To Go Trekking In Northern India During Winters". Travel + Leisure Asia. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 ""Chandrashila ka trek band ho chuka hai, aaplog zabardasti na karen"; local priests request tourists not to undertake the trek after deadly lightning incidents". The Times of India. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ "Planning The Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek? IMD Issues Rain And Thunderstorm Advisory". Free Press Journal. 14 June 2026. Retrieved 8 October 2026.
- ↑ "उत्तराखंड: तुंगनाथ-चंद्रशिला ट्रेक पर खराब मौसम के बीच फंसे 30 ट्रैकर्स, पुलिस व वन विभाग की टीम ने निकाला". Amar Ujala. 12 April 2026. Retrieved 8 October 2026.