🥾 Beas Kund Trek – Where the Beas is Born

By ShepherdTrail – Where Every Trail Tells a Story

Introduction: Touching the Origins of the Beas

The Himalayas don’t just offer trails—they offer timeless tales. One such story emerges from the sacred and scenic slopes above Manali: the Beas Kund Trek. At the foot of towering peaks like Hanuman Tibba and Friendship Peak lies a pristine glacial lake believed to be the source of the mighty Beas River. This trek, although short and sweet, carries within its folds spirituality, legend, and beauty.

Whether you’re new to trekking or a seasoned hiker seeking a quick escape, the Beas Kund trail serves both purpose and poetry. It’s not just one of the best beginner-friendly treks in Himachal—it’s a spiritual and geographical experience bundled into a 3–4 day journey.

🌄 Quick Overview

• Trek Duration: 3 to 4 Days
• Max Altitude: 3,700 m (12,139 ft)
• Trek Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Trek Type: Alpine Meadow, Glacier Basin, Lake Visit
• Region: Himachal Pradesh (Kullu District)
• Best Time to Visit: Mid-May to Mid-October
• Starting Point: Solang Valley

Trail Map and Route Breakdown

Day 1: Manali – Solang Valley – Dhundi

• Drive to Solang Valley (approx. 12 km from Manali)
• Begin trek to Dhundi (9,000 ft)
• Easy 2–3 hour walk through pine forests and meadows

Day 2: Dhundi – Bakarthach (Shepherd’s Meadow)

• Trek 5–6 km with gradual ascent
• Camp at Bakarthach (10,800 ft)
• Surrounded by peaks like Shitidhar and Ladakhi Peak

Day 3: Bakarthach – Beas Kund – Return to Dhundi

• Start early, moderate ascent over moraine and glacier
• Reach Beas Kund (12,139 ft)
• Return the same way to Dhundi and camp

Day 4 (Optional): Trek back to Solang or drive to Manali

• Many trekkers choose to keep this day for a relaxed descent or to explore Solang Valley. It also helps in catching an afternoon bus or taxi from Manali without feeling rushed.

Why Choose the Beas Kund Trek?

1. Glacial Origins of a Sacred River

Beas Kund isn’t just a lake; it’s a mythology carved into a glacier-fed bowl. Legends say Rishi Vyas—author of the Mahabharata—meditated here, lending the river its name. The glacial lake emerges as a turquoise eye in the rocky basin, serene yet roaring with the energy of beginnings.

2. Proximity and Accessibility

If you’re short on time and looking for trekking near Manali, Beas Kund tops the list. The trailhead at Solang is just a half-hour drive from the bustling tourist hub of Manali.

3. Alpine Landscapes and Photogenic Vistas

With every step beyond Solang, the landscape shifts: from dense conifers to wildflower meadows, to boulder fields and icy lakes. The dramatic backdrop of Friendship Peak and Mount Shitidhar make this trek a dream for photographers.

4. Beginner-Friendly Yet Rewarding

Despite its short distance, the altitude and terrain give trekkers a good taste of high-altitude hiking. It’s ideal for beginners who want more than a walk in the woods.

🏕️ Campsites and Their Charm

Dhundi

This is the first campsite after Solang. A quiet riverside location where pine trees frame the valley and the Beas babbles in the background. It’s the calm before the climb.

Bakarthach

Bakarthach—meaning “shepherd’s field”—is a surreal high-altitude meadow. Locals often bring livestock here during summer. The sound of bells on sheep and the scent of juniper linger in the wind.

Beas Kund

Camping isn’t allowed at Beas Kund due to its sacred nature and fragile environment. But reaching the lake and sitting by its shores offers a meditative pause.

🐾 Flora, Fauna, and the Trail’s Rhythm

During peak months, the meadows bloom with alpine flowers like blue poppies, wild asters, and buttercups. Keep an eye out for:

• Himalayan Monals
• Mountain goats
• Marmots peeking from rock burrows
• Snow-capped peaks echoing silence

Early mornings often treat trekkers to layers of mist drifting above the Beas, giving the landscape an ethereal glow.

🧘 Spiritual Significance

Much like Shrikhand Mahadev or Kinner Kailash, Beas Kund holds spiritual reverence. Locals believe the waters here have healing properties. Rishi Vyas’s association with the place turns this trek into a pilgrimage of sorts—less known but deeply rooted in Vedic lore.

☀️ Best Season and Weather

May to October is ideal, but each month offers something unique:

• May–June: Melting snow, gushing streams
• July–August: Lush meadows (carry rain gear)
• September–October: Clear skies and golden landscapes

Snow often returns post-October, making the trail inaccessible.

💼 Safety & Preparation Tips

• Acclimatization: If you’re coming from sea level, spend at least a day or two in Manali/Solang before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
• Hydration: Sip water regularly; dehydration can worsen altitude symptoms.
• Guide/Porter Services: Ideal for new trekkers. If going solo, it’s strongly recommended to hire one for safety.
• Permissions: There are usually no major permits required, but in some seasons, local forest authorities might collect a nominal entry fee. Ask your tour operator or check locally.
• Mobile Connectivity: Expect signal till Solang. After Dhundi, mobile networks fade. Inform family or emergency contacts in advance.
• Food/Water: No food stalls beyond Solang/Dhundi. Carry dry snacks and instant meals. Use water purification tablets or filters for streams.

🚜 Gear Tips for Beas Kund Trek

• Layered clothing for altitude shifts
• Waterproof shoes with ankle support
• Rain cover for backpack (especially in July–August)
• Trekking poles (helpful during moraine sections)
• Basic first aid and hydration packs

From our Gear We Use series, we recommend:

• Forclaz Trekking Pole MT100 – lightweight and durable
• Quechua Hiking Shoes MH100 – perfect for short alpine hikes
• Hans Butane Canister + Camp’Bistro 3 Stove – ideal for camp meals

❌ Responsible Trekking Reminders

• No camping near Beas Kund
• Carry back all waste
• Avoid plastic bottles—use refillable water sources
• Stay on trail; the moraine can be loose and risky

Let’s keep this sacred space untouched.

🗺 Nearby Treks to Explore After Beas Kund

Once you’ve dipped your soul in Beas Kund, consider:

• Himani Chamunda Trek – temple, myth, and forest trails
• Thatharana Trek – for peaceful sunrise vistas
• Kareri Lake Trek – a glacial lake guarded by pines
• Indrahar Pass Trek – for a leap across the Dhauladhars

Each of these offers a unique flavor of Himachal.

📖 Trail Tales from ShepherdTrail

On our last Beas Kund trek, one of our guides recalled a moment where an elderly trekker sat quietly near the lake and whispered, “I thought I came to see the river’s source, but I found something much deeper.”

And that’s what Beas Kund is—a mirror of your own inner stillness.

📞 Ready to Trek?

If you’re planning your escape to the alpine trails trekking near Manali, let us make it meaningful.

👉 Click here to book your Beas Kund Trek

🤍 Final Thought: Where the Trail Begins with a Question

Beas Kund doesn’t test your limits—it invites your curiosity. It doesn’t shout adventure—it whispers discovery. Whether you’re in it for the lake, the legend, or the learning, this trail will give you just enough to crave the next one.

So come, follow the river upstream—not just to its glacial beginning, but to a quieter version of yourself.