How to reach Kedarnath by road from Haridwar?
Are you planning to visit the Kedarnath Dham and unsure how to reach it? Then, here’s how to plan the Yatra.
Kedarnath is a popular pilgrimage location in Uttarakhand. This popular shrine is sacred to Hindu tradition as it is one of the four shrines of the holy Chardham Yatra, which is the most important pilgrimage tour in the country.
Above all the divinity that this area brings, Kedarnath is popularly known as a trekker’s paradise for seasoned trekkers. It provides the most spectacular views of the Himalayas, where snow cover is almost everlasting. Kedarnath and its ancient temple lie within the Chardham Yatra from Haridwar, another spiritual hub in the state.
The entire route here can get difficult and tricky, so you should try to plan a soft and memorable drive.
How to Reach Kedarnath from Haridwar by Car?
A customizable Kedarnath road trip has paved the way for travelers to enjoy the natural splendor ride on the pin forests, valleys, and winding roads. As you ascend the higher reaches of the main mountains, you will enter the glacial region.
At that time, you can also visit different Chardham Yatra places or do your road trip some extra miles to stand in front of holy shrines in these towns. You can appreciate the phenomenal natural scenery or get close to the local culture.
Best Route from Haridwar to Kedarnath
For the Chardham Yatra by road, the best route from Haridwar to Kedarnath is NH34, then NH7, and NH107. This is the only route tourists from Haridwar to Kedarnath take. But unfortunately, this path is not totally drivable. You can drive a car only to Gaurikund. The next part of the trek would be about 16 km from Gaurikund and you will have to face many rough areas, steep climbs, and rocky ascents. Hence, how to reach Kedarnath from Haridwar includes both a road trip along with long trekking.
The route from Haridwar takes nearly 8 hours to reach Kedarnath, the distance between both is approximately 232 km. Meanwhile, this road often isn’t very busy other than when it’s raining, or there has been a snowfall. Hence, if someone is planning to visit Chardham Yatra from Haridwar, it is better to travel during summer. As an important part of your travel plans, continuously refer to the live maps and instant traffic updates telling you the latest Kedarnath to Hardiwar road conditions.
Other Means of Transport from Haridwar to Kedarnath
The answer to how to reach Kedarnath is not just via road. There are other ways to make this commute besides driving.
By Train – At Kedarnath, there are no train facilities for the Chardham Yatra from Haridwar The Railway station is 216 km far away from Kedarnath in Rishikesh. If you start from Rishikesh, you will have to take a long-distance bus or rent a local car and then trek to Sonprayag / Gaurikund and the final trek to Kedarnath Temple.
By Flight/Helicopter – The closest airport to this location is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (DED). If your journey begins from some other city, then you may fly to Dehradun and then have either a rental car or cab transport system operated by the locals get you to Kedarnath. For some people, the Chardham Yatra by road is difficult, so they can even take a helicopter to skip the trek. It is the best option for young kids and older people for how to reach Kedarnath.
Best Time to Visit Chardham and Kedarnath
Those who are considering how to reach Kedarnath and other Chardham Yatra can go any month of the summer to explore. This is all about the absence of extreme cold or snow as a factor that might have complicated the journey and the absence of rain to make the journey impossible. On the other hand, it is quite nice and it seems to be quite interesting too if you go to holy shrines and other sightseeing areas.
The route we discussed above is mostly used by tourists to reach Kedarnath. It is a straight route to your destination, priced with a standard highway toll. On this route, there are no road closures since the conditions are better.
Conclusion
Considering how to reach Kedarnath, embarking on a road trip from Haridwar for the Chardham Yatra is the best option. The shortest and fastest routes are the NH34, NH7, and NH 107 single routes. It will be a great experience, and you will see many different Chardham Yatra places.
Make sure to take the Chardham Yatra from Haridwar by road during the summer season. As this weather can be appealing and has less rain, you would avoid facing any disturbance that could come along with the long drive. This time is worth taking the Chardham Yatra because it’s not too cold this time and the worst weather of snow doesn’t affect the trip. The answer to how to reach Kedarnath is simple: visit from Haridwar by road for a scenic and spiritual trip.
