Kedarnath Yatra 2026: Kedarnath Trek Route, Distance and Tips

The Kedarnath Yatra takes you to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, at about 3,583 m in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The last part is the Kedarnath trek of about 16 km from Gaurikund. This guide covers the route, trek stops, ponies and helicopters, the best months and how to reach from Delhi, Noida or Haridwar.

Kedarnath Yatra at a glance

How to reach for the Kedarnath Yatra

Most pilgrims start the Kedarnath Yatra from Haridwar or Rishikesh. The road runs via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi to Sonprayag, about 230–250 km from Haridwar. Private vehicles stop at Sonprayag; from there shared jeeps take you about 5 km to Gaurikund, where the Kedarnath trek begins. From Delhi or Noida add a day to reach Haridwar – our taxi for Kedarnath picks you up from home.

Kedarnath trek route and stops

Most walkers take 6 to 8 hours to go up and 4 to 6 hours to come down. The path is paved and has shelters, water points, toilets and medical posts. The last 5 km above Linchauli are the steepest part of the walk.

History of the Kedarnath temple

The present stone temple is believed to date back more than a thousand years and is linked with Adi Shankaracharya, whose samadhi lies behind it. Legend says the Pandavas came here seeking Lord Shiva's forgiveness after the Mahabharata war. The temple survived the 2013 flood almost untouched, protected by a huge boulder now worshipped as Bhim Shila. For many pilgrims the Kedarnath Yatra is the most emotional part of the Char Dham circuit, and the evening aarti in the cold mountain air is unforgettable. In winter the deity moves to Ukhimath, where worship continues until the Kedarnath Yatra opens again in spring.

Pony, palki or helicopter

If walking all the way is hard, you can hire a pony, a palki (carried chair) or a pithoo (basket carried on the back). Rates are fixed by the administration and displayed at Gaurikund – ask for the official rate card. Helicopters fly from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi; tickets for the Kedarnath Yatra helicopter are sold only on the official IRCTC HeliYatra website. Fake helicopter booking sites are common, so never pay anyone else.

Best time for the Kedarnath Yatra

May–June and mid-September–October are the best months for the Kedarnath Yatra. May often has snow along the upper path, June is crowded, and July–August bring monsoon landslides. See our month-by-month guide to the best time for Char Dham Yatra.

Registration and darshan

Registration is compulsory for the Kedarnath Yatra, and passes are checked at Sonprayag before you start walking. Register free on the official portal – see Char Dham Yatra registration. For temple timings, puja bookings and official news, visit the Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee.

Health and safety on the Kedarnath trek

• Get a medical check-up before the Kedarnath Yatra if you are over 50 or have heart, lung or blood-pressure problems.
• Walk slowly, rest often and drink water. Stop if you feel breathless or get a headache.
• Carry a raincoat, warm layers and a torch; weather changes quickly on the mountain.
• Stay overnight at Kedarnath only if you have a confirmed booking, as rooms are limited during the Kedarnath Yatra.

Plan your Kedarnath Yatra

Do Kedarnath alone in 3–4 days from Haridwar, combine it with Badrinath on a Do Dham Yatra, or visit all four temples on our Char Dham Yatra package. Our Char Dham taxi service runs from Delhi, Noida and Haridwar. More ideas in the full Char Dham Yatra guide and the Char Dham route map.