Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek-Trek to India's largest Alpine Meadow

he word “Bugyal” translates to a vast expanse of Greenland situated at a high altitude in the mountains. The trail of Ali Bedni Bugyal trek in Uttarakhand is one of the most beautiful alpine meadows and is the gateway to many mystifying valleys, tiny hamlets, coniferous forests, and stunning landscapes surrounded by the great Himalayan ranges. 

The experience you relish when you embark on the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is extremely rewarding, not just because of the picturesque view you get at the summit but also because you get to traverse and witness the serene beauty of nature firsthand. 

Although most treks give you a closer look at the wonderful beauty of the blue skies contrasting with the meadows, what makes Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek stand out is its geographical significance. The Ali Bedni Bugyal along with being two of the largest high-altitude alpine meadows of Asia is also a halt point for the “Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra'' which is a pilgrimage that is organized every 12 years in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Besides its association with the festival, the trail of the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek falls en route to the mysterious Roopkund trek also known as the skeleton lake. 

The panoramic view of the Trishul Peaks and the chance to witness the surreal beauty of Bedni Kund which is a freshwater lake nestled in the heart of this meadow adds a different charm to the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek and sets it apart from others.

Another fascinating thing about this trek is that because the direction the slope faces is opposite to the rising sun if you are trekking early in the morning, you get to see the sunlight falling through the canopies of trees making beautiful patterns on the ground which may not sound like much when you are reading about them here but will surely make you pause and want to spend a few moments simply staring at them when you are on your Ali Bedni Bugyal trek.

 In this itinerary, The trek to Ali Bedni Bugyal starts from Haridwar. We board a vehicle from Rishikesh and drive to Lohajung village which is the base camp of the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek. While driving on roads full of twists and turns, you will be passing through Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnprayag, which are the three prayags of the Panch-Prayag.

All along the meandering course of the Alakhnanda river will occasionally come into view as well with the mighty Shivalik ranges of the Garhwal region peeking from behind. Upon reaching the basecamp for the Ali Bedni trek which is a Himalayan village called Lohajung as mentioned above, you will spend the night in homestays, enjoying home-cooked meals before starting your trekking journey. 

After a brief trekking session conducted by the trek leader where all the necessary details about what the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek entails, we make our way to Didina. Although the difficulty level for the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is easy to moderate, trekking to the first campsite Didina will test your endurance because the trail is steep and requires a bit of effort. We will be trekking downhill through the forest trails with the stream of Neel Ganga river flowing relentlessly. We’d stumble upon the metal bridge that helps trekkers to cross the river without the hassle and once we have done so, the path winds upwards and we reach Didina after a steep ascent that stretches for approx 2 Kilometers.

All the efforts would be worth it because when you get to camp out amidst the mountains at Didinia campsite, all your weariness will vanish only to be replaced by a sense of peace and serenity. 

As we begin our ascent, following the steady trail passing through oak forests, we reach the Tolpani region. Tolpani is the last point to acquire water on this trekking trail until you reach the next campsite so it’s crucial that you refill your water bottles. 

The forest is extremely dense and hence when the rays of sunlight manage to shine through the green canopies, it ends up illuminating the path, otherwise covered with fallen leaves and moss, with a golden glow. The entire walk seems like a dream. The tree line disappears once the steep climb is replaced by a steady gentle climb to the ridge top and you can finally see Ali Bugyal coming into view. 

We set up camps in the Greenlands of Ali Bugyal and enjoy the stunning landscape that resembles the garden of Eden. 

The clearing of Ali Bugyal gives you the opportunity to have a closer look at the marvels of nature. With clouds floating aimlessly overhead and the breeze making the grass flutter like butterflies on the ground, the entire trail that you cover is beautiful, to say the least. As we leisurely walk ahead for a few miles and follow the path downhill, a small bend tucked in the mountains unfurls itself and commences the start of the trail of Bedni Bugyal. 

The other half of the twin meadows of Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek, the pristine Himalayan meadows of Bedni Bugyal are no less beautiful than what you left behind. Summer, which is the best time to visit the Ali Bedni Bugyal, since the entire trail seems to embody the spring season in its fields with blooming flowers covering every patch of grass that your eyes can see. 

The majestic Trishul and Nanda Ghunti peaks of the great Himalayan range in the backdrop beckon you closer with their stunning landscape. The glacial lake of Bedni Kund situated at an elevation of 11,000 ft comes into view as well. A sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus, it is also the site of worship for devotees of Shiva. During the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra, the palanquin of Maa Nanda is carried from Bedni Kund to Roopkund.  

Although the festival occurs once in 12 years, that doesn’t take away the charm of the lake as the surrounding area of Bedni Kund is adorned by many blooming flowers, one of them being “Brahma Kamal”. What adds more intrigue to the Bedni Bugyal on this Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is that it holds extreme mythological significance as well. For it is believed that Lord Brahma who wrote many of the Vedas and scriptures of Hinduism wrote some of them in the meadows of Bedni Bugyal. 

As you keep walking, the tree lines will appear and a sharp descent would commence at the end of the meadow. The lush green forests consist of oak and rhododendron trees and as you keep descending, you will soon reach a clearing, signaling that you have reached the next campsite,  where you will be spending a night under the starry skies. 

The next day, you will start your descent by embarking on a steep ridge that leads you to the Neel Ganga River. While you are traversing, the vast expanse of land stretches like a green tapestry in front of you, making you want to stop in your stride and simply marvel at the beauty of nature. The cool waves of the river will wash away all your exhaustion and leave you feeling refreshed.

After a short climb from the river, you will reach the ridge that overlooks Wan Village. The village is the last checkpoint of our Ali Bedni Bugyal trek expedition. After walking down a steep descent, we will reach the roadside area. From here, we would board a vehicle and drive to Lohajung.

What makes Ali Bedni Trek a popular trek is that it consists of two of the largest high-altitude meadows in our country. Apart from that, you get to see the best view of the Trishul peak on this trek and that's reason enough for trekkers to go on an Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek. 

Although it’d be a dream come true for any trekker to be able to see the vast expanse of the meadows covered in an ivory blanket of snow, the weather conditions make it almost impossible to do the full circuit for the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek but it doesn’t stop adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers from embarking on this trek during the summer season. 

The entire meadow looks stunning with rainbow-colored flowers speckled across the grasslands and this is why the best time to go on the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is from the months of March to May. Because during these months, you get to see the entire trail in all its glory, in different shades of earthly brown and moss green.