If you search for “Bugyals in Uttarakhand,” most websites will give you the same short list: Dayara, Bedni, and Auli. But if you are a true explorer, you know that the Himalayas hide secrets far deeper than the tourist maps show.
As a local traveler who has trekked these ridges for years, I have compiled the most comprehensive list of Alpine Meadows (Bugyals) on the internet. From the family-friendly slopes of Moila Top to the remote, wind-swept ridges of Chaainsheel on the Himachal border, here is everything you need to know.
🟢 Category 1: The “Weekend” Bugyals (Easy & Accessible)
Perfect for families, beginners, and those with limited time.
1. Dayara Bugyal (Uttarkashi)
Often called the most perfectly shaped meadow in India, Dayara stretches over 28 sq km. In winter, it turns into a ski slope; in monsoon, it is a carpet of wildflowers.
- Altitude: 11,181 ft
- Base Village: Raithal or Barsu (40 km from Uttarkashi)
- Trek Distance: 5 km (One way)
- How to Reach: Drive to Raithal (buses available from Uttarkashi). The trek is a well-paved stone trail.
- Accommodation: GMVN Guest House in Barsu or Homestays in Raithal.
- Garhwali Traveller Tip: Visit in August for the “Butter Holi” (Anduri Utsav) festival where locals play Holi with milk and butter!
2. Gorson Bugyal (Auli)
The easiest high-altitude meadow to access in the entire state.
- Altitude: 10,000 ft
- Base Village: Auli (Joshimath)
- Trek Distance: 3 km (One way)
- How to Reach: Take the Ropeway from Joshimath to Auli tower, then walk 3 km through the oak forest.
- Accommodation: Luxury hotels and GMVN Ski Resort in Auli.
- Key Highlight: The view of Nanda Devi (India’s 2nd highest peak) is so close it feels intimidating.
3. Moila Top (Chakrata)
Also known as the “Budher Caves” trek, this is a hidden gem near Dehradun.
- Altitude: 9,050 ft
- Base Village: Budher Forest Rest House (30 km from Chakrata)
- Trek Distance: 3 km (Easy walk)
- How to Reach: Drive from Chakrata to Budher FRH. The trail starts from the gate.
- Key Highlight: Explore the ancient limestone caves nearby, which legend says were built by the Pandavas.
4. Rohini Bugyal (Chopta)
While thousands flock to Tungnath, Rohini remains silent and peaceful.
- Altitude: 9,500 ft
- Base Village: Chopta or Sari Village
- Trek Distance: 4-5 km
- How to Reach: It lies on the trail connecting Deoria Tal to Chopta.
- Key Highlight: It is a birdwatcher’s paradise. You are almost guaranteed to see the Himalayan Monal here.
🟡 Category 2: The Trekkers’ Favorites (Moderate)
These require fitness and 3-5 days of time.
5. Ali Bugyal (Chamoli)
Ali is unique because it is not “hilly”—it is a vast, flat table-top meadow that looks like a manicured golf course.
- Altitude: 11,154 ft
- Base Village: Didna Village (reached from Lohajung)
- Trek Distance: 10 km steep climb from Didna.
- Accommodation: Camping is banned on the meadow. You must camp at the forest edge in Tolpani or Abin Kharak.
- Key Highlight: Walking barefoot on the grass here is a therapy in itself.
6. Bedni Bugyal (Chamoli)
Located just above Ali Bugyal, this is the main campsite for the Roopkund trek.
- Altitude: 11,004 ft
- Base Village: Wan or Lohajung
- Key Highlight: The Bedni Kund (lake) which reflects the Trishul massif. It is also the site where the “Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra” stops for worship.
7. Khaliya Top (Munsiyari)
The pride of the Kumaon region.
- Altitude: 11,500 ft
- Base Village: Balati Bend (10 km from Munsiyari town)
- Trek Distance: 6 km steep uphill.
- Accommodation: KMVN Guest House at the halfway point (Bhujani).
- Key Highlight: The sunset view over the Panchachuli Peaks (the five chimneys) is iconic.
8. Brahmatal Top (Chamoli)
One of the rare bugyals accessible in deep winter (January/February).
- Altitude: 12,250 ft
- Base Village: Lohajung
- Trek Distance: 8 km
- Key Highlight: Unlike other treks that get blocked by snow, the ridge line of Brahmatal remains open, offering 360-degree snow views.
9. Bagji Bugyal (Chamoli)
A “Virgin Meadow” that has only recently opened to trekkers.
- Altitude: 11,100 ft
- Base Village: Ghes Village (Near Lohajung)
- Trek Distance: 12 km
- How to Reach: Drive to Lohajung, then take a jeep to Ghes.
- Key Highlight: The hospitality of Ghes village (which only recently got electricity) is heartwarming.
10. Pushtara Bugyal (Phulara Ridge)
This is a unique “Ridge Trek” where you walk on a knife-edge mountain spine.
- Altitude: 12,127 ft
- Base Village: Sankri
- Trek Distance: 25 km (Loop trek)
- Key Highlight: You walk for 4-5 hours on a ridge with valleys dropping down on both sides of you. Pushtara is the meadow where the ridge ends.
🔴 Category 3: The “Explorer’s League” (Remote & Difficult)
For the “Garhwali Traveller” who wants solitude. These require guides and proper gear.
11. Gidara Bugyal (Uttarkashi)
The “Big Brother” of Dayara. It is higher, steeper, and significantly larger.
- Altitude: 13,900 ft
- Base Village: Bhangeli
- Trek Distance: 20 km
- Difficulty: High. There are no water sources on the steep ascent.
- Key Highlight: Absolute silence. You might be the only human being in a 10 km radius.
12. Panwali Kantha (Tehri)
A historical route that connects the Gangotri and Kedarnath valleys.
- Altitude: 11,500 ft
- Base Village: Ghuttu (Tehri side) or Triyuginarayan (Rudraprayag side)
- Trek Distance: 18 km
- Key Highlight: It is one of the few spots where you can see the peaks of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath all from one single point.
13. Devkyara Bugyal (Sankri)
A stunning valley-floor meadow that runs parallel to Har Ki Dun.
- Altitude: 13,450 ft (approx 4,100m)
- Base Village: Jakhol (Sankri region)
- Trek Distance: 30 km+
- Key Highlight: Unlike ridge bugyals, this sits at the bottom of a bowl of massive peaks (Ranglana). It was awarded “Trek of the Year” recently for its untouched beauty.
14. Kush Kalyani (Uttarkashi)
Named after the mythical Lord Rama’s sons (Luv and Kush), this lies on an old pilgrim route.
- Altitude: 12,400 ft
- Base Village: Malla (near Uttarkashi)
- Trek Distance: 16 km
- Key Highlight: The trail passes through huge expanses of “Kush” grass which turns golden in autumn.
15. Chaainsheel Bugyal (Uttarkashi-HP Border)
The border meadow.
- Altitude: 11,750 ft
- Base Village: Himari / Balawat (Mori region)
- Trek Distance: 20 km+
- Key Highlight: You can stand with one foot in Uttarakhand and one in Himachal Pradesh. The local culture here worships Kauravas (Duryodhana), which is unique in India.
16. Panar Bugyal (Rudranath)
The meadow that tests your faith.
- Altitude: 12,500 ft
- Base Village: Sagar Village (Gopeshwar)
- Trek Distance: 10 km (Extremely steep)
- How to Reach: Located on the route to Rudranath Temple (Panch Kedar).
- Key Highlight: The wildflowers here in July and August are unmatched, but the climb is relentless.
17. Bansi Narayan (Urgam Valley)
A spiritual secret.
- Altitude: 11,800 ft
- Base Village: Urgam (Kalpeshwar)
- Key Highlight: There is a temple here dedicated to Lord Narayan that opens only one day a year (on Raksha Bandhan).
⚠️ Important Regulations (2025 Update)
Since the High Court order of 2018, camping directly on the Bugyals (grass) is banned in Uttarakhand to protect the delicate soil ecosystem.
- Do not pitch tents on the green grass.
- Do pitch tents at the designated “lower forest camps” (usually 200m below the meadow).
- Permits: Most of these treks (especially Sankri and Uttarkashi based) require a permit from the forest department. Ask your guide to arrange this at the check-post.
Comparison Table: Difficulty vs Views
| Bugyal | Difficulty | View Rating |
| Gorson | 1/5 (Easy) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dayara | 2/5 (Easy) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Gidara | 4/5 (Hard) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Panar | 5/5 (Hard) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bedni | 3/5 (Mod) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Export to Sheets
(Save this guide for your next trip! Which Bugyal are you planning to visit? Let me know in the comments below!)
📊 The “Garhwali Traveller” Master Table
Compare them quickly to find your perfect trek.
| # | Bugyal Name | Altitude | District | Trek Distance | Difficulty | Best Feature |
| 1 | Dayara Bugyal | 11,181 ft | Uttarkashi | 5 km | Easy | Best for families |
| 2 | Bedni Bugyal | 11,004 ft | Chamoli | 12 km | Moderate | Mt. Trishul reflection |
| 3 | Ali Bugyal | 11,154 ft | Chamoli | 10 km | Moderate | Vastest grass carpet |
| 4 | Gorson Bugyal | 10,000 ft | Chamoli | 3 km | Very Easy | Close to Auli Ski Resort |
| 5 | Gidara Bugyal | 13,900 ft | Uttarkashi | 20 km | Difficult | Total isolation |
| 6 | Panwali Kantha | 11,500 ft | Tehri | 18 km | Moderate | Views of all Char Dhams |
| 7 | Kush Kalyani | 12,400 ft | Uttarkashi | 16 km | Moderate | Old pilgrim route |
| 8 | Devkyara Bugyal | 13,450 ft | Uttarkashi | 30 km+ | Mod-Diff | Valley floor meadow |
| 9 | Bagji Bugyal | 11,100 ft | Chamoli | 12 km | Moderate | Unexplored hidden gem |
| 10 | Panar Bugyal | 12,500 ft | Chamoli | 10 km | Difficult | On the way to Rudranath |
| 11 | Khaliya Top | 11,500 ft | Pithoragarh | 6 km | Moderate | Panchachuli Peak views |
| 12 | Pushtara (Phulara) | 12,127 ft | Uttarkashi | 25 km | Moderate | Rare ridge-line trek |
| 13 | Brahmatal Top | 12,250 ft | Chamoli | 8 km | Moderate | Winter snow trekking |
| 14 | Rohini Bugyal | 9,500 ft | Rudraprayag | 4-5 km | Easy | Silence & Birdwatching |
| 15 | Chaainsheel | 11,750 ft | Uttarkashi | 20 km+ | Moderate | Border of HP & Uttarakhand |
| 16 | Bansi Narayan | 11,800 ft | Chamoli | 10 km | Moderate | Rare temple open 1 day/year |
| 17 | Moila Top | 9,050 ft | Dehradun | 3 km | Very Easy | Weekend drive + Hike |
🛡️ Responsible Trekking Tips (Garhwali Style)
- Don’t burn the wood: In high bugyals like Panwali Kantha, timber line is far below. Do not cut juniper bushes for fire; they take decades to grow.
- Respect the Gujjars: You will see stone huts. These belong to the migratory shepherds. They are friendly if you are respectful.
- Leave No Trace: If you carry a wrapper up, you bring it down. There are no dustbins at 12,000 feet.
(Note to Reader: If you are planning a trip to Panar or Bedni, check my detailed guides on the Rudranath Trek and Roopkund Route for permit details!)
