How to reach Kedarnath — the road to Gaurikund and the 17 km walk
Kedarnath is the one Char Dham shrine you cannot reach by road. The road ends at Gauri Kund, and the last 16 to 17 km to the Kedarnath Temple are on foot, by pony, by palanquin or by helicopter.
By road to Gaurikund
From Delhi it is about 488 km. Free-flow routing says 8 hours, and the hill road above Rishikesh is slower than that, so plan on a night on the way. From Chandigarh it is about 432 km on the same routing. On our own measure of the mountain road, Rishikesh is about 203 km and 357 minutes from Gaurikund, Haridwar about 224 km and 381 minutes, and the Dehradun bus stand about 245 km and 402 minutes. Rudraprayag is about 70 km and 124 minutes away. Wikipedia gives 223 km from Rishikesh to Kedarnath itself, which is the road plus the walk.
Rail and air
The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant near Dehradun, about 224 km and 388 minutes from Gaurikund. From either, the rest of the way is by car, taxi or bus.
The last 17 km
From Gaurikund the path climbs on foot to the temple. Wikipedia says the walk takes 6 to 8 hours depending on pace and weather. Ponies and palanquins are the other ways up the path, and helicopters fly from places such as Phata and Sersi in 8 to 10 minutes. We have no verified fares, timings or booking rules for any of them, so ask at Gaurikund or the temple committee. A ropeway from Sonprayag has been proposed, but we cannot say whether it is open, so check before you rely on it.
Register before you go
The temple committee asks pilgrims to register for the yatra on the Uttarakhand portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, before they set out. Carry the registration and an identity card.
When the road and the temple are open
The temple is open only from April to November. See when to visit Kedarnath, then things to do near Kedarnath, the two-day walk and the one-day plan on the road side.
Places around Kedarnath
The Kedarnath guide →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
How far is Kedarnath from Delhi?
About 488 km by road to Gaurikund, where the road ends, and free-flow routing says 8 hours. The hill road above Rishikesh is slower than that in practice, so most people break the journey. The last 17 km to the temple are on foot, by pony or palanquin, or by helicopter.
Can you drive to Kedarnath?
No. The last motorable point is Gaurikund, and the remaining 16 to 17 km to the Kedarnath Temple are on foot, by pony, by palanquin or by helicopter. Wikipedia puts the walk at 6 to 8 hours. Helicopters fly from places such as Phata and Sersi in 8 to 10 minutes.
Where is the nearest railway station and airport?
Rishikesh railway station, about 203 km and 357 minutes from Gaurikund on our routing, and Jolly Grant airport near Dehradun, about 224 km and 388 minutes away. From either, the road is by car, taxi or bus to Gaurikund and then on foot.