Overview
The Surkanda Devi Temple trek is an offbeat and sacred destination in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal District. Located near the hill stations of Dhanaulti and Kanatal at an elevation of around 9,012 ft, this trek is known for offering beautiful sunrise views across the Himalayan peaks. You get a 360-degree perspective of Bandarpunch, Swargarohini, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, and other Himalayan ranges on clear days.
The temple is revered among the Hindu devotees as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. As per mythology, the Surkanda Devi Temple is the spot where the head of Goddess Sati fell while Lord Shiva carried her body in grief. This gave it the local name ‘Sirkhanda’ or ‘Surkanda’, where ‘sir’ means head and ‘Khand’ means fragment or part. The temple is one of the three sites of the ‘Devi Darshan Triangle’ in Tehri Garhwal’s Siddh Peeths, which includes Chandrabadni Temple and Kunjapuri Temple.
The trail to the temple begins from the small village of Kaddukhal, which is well-connected to Mussoorie and Chamba by road. This hike is perfect for beginners and families as the path is well-paved and easy to follow. It takes you through a dense forest of Deodar and Oak trees, adding a layer of beauty to this sacred destination.
This weekend trek remains open throughout the year, and the best time to visit is during the summer and autumn. The government also operates a ropeway service from the base camp to make it accessible for those who prefer or require less physical exertion.
The Surkanda Devi Temple trek is a must-visit for those looking for a spiritual escape in the quiet of the Garhwal hills. To help you plan, let us discuss its detailed itinerary, best time to visit, difficulty, and more.
Itinerary
Drive Distance and Time: 60 km; 2-3 hr
Altitude Gain: 640 m/ 2,100 ft at Dehradun to 2,258 m/ 7,408 ft at Dhanaulti
Highlights: Scenic mountain drive and visit Dhanaulti Eco Park for sunset views.
To experience the Surkanda Devi Temple trek at sunrise, make sure you arrive at Dehradun, Mussoorie, or Dhanaulti a day early. This will help you acclimatise at Dhanaulti and give you ample time to explore this hilly town.
The drive from Dehradun will take around 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic, taking you through the winding roads of the Garhwal Himalayas. On your way, you will cross the Dehradun Zoo, Jharipani, Bhatta Falls, and Mussoorie. If possible, take mid-way breaks to admire the beauty of the hilly region.
From Mussoorie, the route goes towards the Chamba-Mussoorie highway. Here, the views open up to deep valleys lined with tall Pine and Deodar trees, leading towards Dhanaulti. After arriving, check into your hotel and rest for a while. If time permits in the evening, you can visit the Dhanaulti Eco Park. This scenic spot offers the perfect relaxation retreat where you can sit among the Cedar trees and watch the sunset. Since you have to visit the Surkanda Devi Temple at sunrise the next day, try to have your dinner and go to bed early.
Drive Distance and Time: 7.2 km; 20-25 mins from Dhanaulti to Kaddukhal
Hike Distance and Time: 2.5 km; 1.5-2 hrs (one way)
Altitude Gain: 2,496 m/ 8,189 ft at Kaddukhal to 2,747 m/ 9,012 ft at Summit
Highlights: Sunrise over the Himalayas, panoramic views of prominent peaks, and Temple Darshan.
Start your day as early as around 3:30 am or 4:00 am, as it will take about 20 min to drive to Kaddukhal, the starting point of this trek. The weather can be chilly before dawn, so wear warm clothes for the journey. Once you reach Kaddukhal, you may find a few stalls open where you can have tea.
The trails start with steep concrete stairs that open up directly from a red gateway. It is easy to climb these stairs for people with adequate physical fitness, and they have railings to offer support to hikers. Make sure you keep a steady pace and take small steps.
As you ascend, you will notice the sky turning lighter, indicating the crack of dawn. Eventually, after completing the stairs, you will arrive at the ropeway ticket counter and the pony services point. The ropeway helps you reach the temple in just 10-15 minutes and is ideal for people who have health issues.
After crossing this point, the hiking trail widens into a concrete pathway with a steep gradient and twisting curves. There are benches placed at short distances throughout this section where you can catch your breath and relax. You may not find food stalls till the temple, so carry your own refreshments and water bottle.
Once near the summit, you will notice a small gateway with stairs that lead to the temple. By sunrise, the views from the top become heavenly, where warm rays of the sun wash over the towering Himalayan ranges in the distance. You will see the sun rising from behind the Nanda Devi, Swargrohini, Chaukhamba, Bandarpoonch, and more. Built with stone and wood, the temple’s architecture is a mix of Garhwali and Jaunsari styles, enhancing the scenic beauty at the summit.
After admiring the sunrise, visit the Surkanda Devi shrine to offer your prayers. The freshness of dawn and the mellow sound of temple bells take all your tiredness away, filling your soul with excitement. The idol of Marsarkanda Devi is placed under the main complex, adorned with silk and silver ornaments. Near the main complex, there is a small temple that houses an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.
The descent back to Kaddukhal is much easier and faster. Once you reach the base, have a hearty breakfast at the local stalls before starting your drive back to Dehradun.
Inclusion and Exclusion
Price Inclusion
Transport: Transport from Dehradun
Stay: Night stay in Dhanaulti
Meal: Dinner, Breakfast, and Lunch
Forest Entry and Permits: All required fuel charges, tolls, forest entry fees, and permits are covered.
Guide: A qualified guide will accompany you.
Emergency Kit: First aid medical kits are provided for safety.
Price Exclusion
Emergency Evacuations: Any charges related to emergency evacuation are not included
Personal Expenses: Any meals or accommodations outside of the provided itinerary or additional services not listed in the inclusions.
5% GST
Check the booking procedure, including details on booking deposits, payment terms, and the cancellation policy.
Difficulty Level
The Surkanda Devi Temple trek involves a short and steep hike. This makes it an easy-to-moderate-level trek. The total walking distance covers about 4-5 km round trip from Kaddukhal. Its trails are well-maintained with a wide concrete path with a few curvy and tough sections.
For beginners, the climb may feel very steep right from the start. This incline through the stairs demands good stamina. Hence, one should take small steps to save their energy. There are several resting spots along the way for hikers to take short breaks.
This trek can be completed by beginners with basic physical fitness. People with asthma or bad knees might struggle with the steep stairs. For them, ropeway services are available for the summit. One can also hire a pony for the journey. Overall, this trek is ideal for people of all ages and experience levels who are physically fit.
Things to Carry
- Sleeping Bag
- Common Tent
- Mattress
- Dining Tent
- Camping Stool
- Walkie Talkie (For Team)
- Utensils
1. Clothing
- Outer Layer: 1 Down Jacket (Winter)
- Gloves: (Winter)
- Headwear: 1 Warm Hat + 1 Scarf/Balaclava (Winter)
- Sun Hat: 1 (Summer)
2. Footwear
- Hiking Shoe
3. Backpack & Trekking Gear
- Daypack: 1 (For day-hike)
- Trekking Poles/Sticks: 1 pair
6. Health & Hygiene
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen
- Lip Balm: 1
- Snacks: Energy bars, dry fruits, chocolates
7. Accessories
- Bottle/Bladder: 1
- Sunglasses: 1 (UV-protected and polarized)
How to Reach Surkanda Devi Temple
The Surkanda Devi Temple is located between Mussoorie and Chamba, with the village of Kaddukhal serving as the main entry point. This is the perfect weekend hiking destination for those travelling from Delhi or Dehradun, which offers spirituality amidst the marvel of nature. One can reach here by:
By Air
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 87.9 km away from the temple. You can fly here from major cities like Delhi or Mumbai and then hire a private taxi to take you directly to Kaddukhal. The drive from the airport takes about 3 to 4 hours and passes through the scenic Mussoorie-Dhanaulti road.
By Train
Dehradun Railway Station is the closest train head, located 67.3 km from the temple base, Kaddukhal. Many also travel here from Haridwar Railway Station, which is about 106 km away. Several daily trains connect Dehradun to Delhi, including the fast Shatabdi and Mussoorie Express. Once you reach the station, you can take a local bus or book a shared taxi to Dhanaulti and get off at Kaddukhal.
By Road
Many tourists choose these two routes to travel to the Surkanda Devi Temple:
- Dehradun – Mussoorie – Dhanaulti – Kaddukhal
- Haridwar – Rishikesh – Narendra Nagar – Chamba – Kanatal – Kaddukhal
The roads to Dhanaulti and Kanatal are well-maintained, making driving a popular means of travel. If you are travelling from Dehradun and Mussoorie, the temple is around a 2 to 4-hour drive away. One can easily cover the distance from Mussoorie by renting a scooty or hiring a local taxi to Dhanaulti.
For those travelling from Delhi, the total driving distance is around 320 km, taking about 7 to 8 hrs. The route from NH-707A runs through Dehradun and Mussoorie if you are driving a personal vehicle. You can also catch a bus from Anand Vihar or Kashmiri Gate to Dehradun. From there, you can take a UTC bus or a local cab to Dhanaulti or Kaddukhal.
The nearest major railway stations are Haridwar and Rishikesh. From these stations, one can take a taxi or board a bus to Rudraprayag or Ukhimath. The road journey from Rishikesh to Chopta takes around 8 to 9 hours. Regular buses are available to Rudraprayag and limited services to Ukhimath. From Ukhimath, which is about 30 kilometers from Chopta, shared jeeps or private taxis can take you to the base.
If you’re planning to travel by car, it’s better to leave early in the morning and aim to reach Chopta by the afternoon. Ukhimath is the last town with ATM facilities and petrol pumps, so it’s a good place to stop and refuel or withdraw cash. Roads beyond Rudraprayag are narrow but manageable. It is wise to carry enough fuel, cash, and warm clothes.
From Rishikesh take a bus to Karanprayag and from there change buses for Tharali. Tharali is connected to Loahjung and local taxis are available. Alternatively, you can also reach Lohajung via Haldwani. From Haldwani, take a bus to Tharali and from Tharali take a taxi to Lohajung.
Best Time to Visit
You can visit Surkanda Devi Temple throughout the year, and the best time to visit is between March and June, and from September to November. Each season brings distinct views and experiences for the trekkers. Let us have a detailed look at how the landscape looks, and the weather analysis at the Surkanda Devi Temple trek:
Winter
- Months: December to February
- Temperature: 10°C to 20°C during the day; 2°C to 7°C at night
The Surkanda Devi Temple trek is an ideal destination for snow lovers. During winter, the summit gets completely covered in a thick sheet of snow. You will get clear skies with the sharpest views of the distant snow-covered Himalayan peaks that glisten at sunrise. The nights can be very chilly, so carry warm layers of clothing, gloves, and warmers. This can also be a risky time to visit for beginners, as the trails become slippery due to snow and black ice.
Spring
- Months: March to April
- Temperature: 17°C to 30°C during the day; 10°C to 19°C at night
Spring marks the retreat of winter, making the landscape greener and more lively. This is the perfect time to visit for nature lovers, as you will find colourful blooms throughout the forest trails. For the sunrise hike, this season offers you clear views of the snow-capped Himalayas without enduring the hardships of a winter hike.
Summer
- Months: May to June
- Temperature: 20°C to 35°C during the day; 11°C to 20°C at night
Summer is the popular time to visit the Surkanda Devi Temple, receiving the maximum footfall due to favourable weather conditions. The days are fairly warm with cool nights, making hiking all the more enjoyable for beginners and families. This season is known for the annual Surkanda Devi Fair, held in May or Chaitra Navratri and the Ganga Dussehra festival in June. Many pilgrims flock to the temple during these months to witness the incredible rituals of the Garhwal region.
Monsoon
- Months: July to September
- Temperature: 15°C to 25°C during the day; 12°C to 15°C at night
We advise you to avoid trekking during the monsoon. The Dhanaulti region gets heavy rainfall, and the weather becomes very unpredictable. Thick clouds and mist hide the mountain views completely, and one can miss the sunrise during this time.
Autumn
- Months: October to November
- Temperature: 15°C to 20°C during the day; 5°C to 10°C at night
By October, the monsoon retreats completely, leaving behind a clear and crisp landscape. This is the ideal time to visit the Surkanda Devi temple for photography lovers, as the golden sunrise looks magical over the brownish-yellow forests. The visibility is better with blue skies, with cool and comfortable weather for hiking.
The nearest major railway stations are Haridwar and Rishikesh. From these stations, one can take a taxi or board a bus to Rudraprayag or Ukhimath. The road journey from Rishikesh to Chopta takes around 8 to 9 hours. Regular buses are available to Rudraprayag and limited services to Ukhimath. From Ukhimath, which is about 30 kilometers from Chopta, shared jeeps or private taxis can take you to the base.
If you’re planning to travel by car, it’s better to leave early in the morning and aim to reach Chopta by the afternoon. Ukhimath is the last town with ATM facilities and petrol pumps, so it’s a good place to stop and refuel or withdraw cash. Roads beyond Rudraprayag are narrow but manageable. It is wise to carry enough fuel, cash, and warm clothes.
From Rishikesh take a bus to Karanprayag and from there change buses for Tharali. Tharali is connected to Loahjung and local taxis are available. Alternatively, you can also reach Lohajung via Haldwani. From Haldwani, take a bus to Tharali and from Tharali take a taxi to Lohajung.
Map and Weather
Nearby Attraction to Visit
- Dhanaulti Eco Park
- Kanatal
- Kaudia Forest
- Dhanaulti Adventure Park
- Chamba
- Tehri Dam
- Tehri Lake
- Chandrabadni Temple
- Kunjapuri Temple
- Mussoorie
- Landour
- Maldevta Valley
FAQs
Surkanda Devi Temple is famous among Shaktipeeths.
Yes, a ropeway is available in Surkanda.
It’s 2.5-3 km from the read head, that is too and fro.
Surkanda temple trek is relatively easy as it’s only 2.5-3 km to and fro.
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