Dehradun to Kedarnath: Distance, Route & Travel Time
Dehradun to Kedarnath is 245 km by road to Gaurikund, then an 18 km trek. Full route breakdown, transport options, Sonprayag barrier, and costs from Dehradun.
Quick answer
Dehradun to Gaurikund (road head): 245 km, 8-10 hours by car in normal conditions. Gaurikund to Kedarnath temple: 18 km trek, 6-8 hours up for average fitness. Total journey: minimum 2 days (one day drive, one day trek). Helicopter option: fly from Phata/Sirsi (near Guptkashi) to Kedarnath in 7-8 minutes after a 6-hour drive from Dehradun.
There is no shortcut that compresses this into a single day from Dehradun. Budget two full days minimum and do it right.
Segment 1: Dehradun to Rishikesh (42 km, ~1 hour)
This is the easiest stretch. The highway out of Dehradun is broad and well-maintained. Leave Dehradun by 4:00 AM to clear the city before traffic builds. Rishikesh is where Dehradun locals top up fuel, grab tea, and check tyre pressure before the real climb begins. Fuel up here as petrol pumps get sparse beyond Devprayag.
Segment 2: Rishikesh to Rudraprayag (113 km, ~3.5 hours)
This segment follows the Ganga/Alaknanda valley on NH-7. It is a decent highway by Uttarakhand standards: two lanes in most places, some widening work underway by BRO as of 2026.
Devprayag (95 km from Dehradun) is the sacred confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers where the Ganga officially begins. Rudraprayag (155 km from Dehradun, ~4.5 hours) is where the road forks: left for Badrinath, right for Kedarnath.
Segment 3: Rudraprayag to Guptkashi (40 km, ~1.5 hours)
The road narrows to a state highway with twisty single-lane stretches and sheer drops on one side. Pilgrimage traffic in May and June can jam this corridor completely.
Guptkashi (195 km, ~6 hours total) is the best overnight stop before Gaurikund. The town has guesthouses (Rs 600-2,500/night), decent restaurants, functional ATMs (SBI and PNB), and sits at around 1,300 metres. Book accommodation in advance for May-June.
Segment 4: Guptkashi to Gaurikund (50 km, ~2 hours)
Sonprayag (225 km from Dehradun): during peak season (May-June, September), private vehicles are barred from proceeding beyond Sonprayag. Your car parks in the designated lot (Rs 150-200 per day). Government shared jeeps ferry passengers the remaining 8 km to Gaurikund for Rs 100 per person.
Gaurikund (245 km, 1,982 metres): The road head. There is a famous hot spring here called Surya Kund. Small lockers are available near the trailhead (Rs 50-100) for bags you don't want to carry up.
The trek: Gaurikund to Kedarnath temple
The trek is 18 km on the traditional route (or 16 km on the newer concrete path, steeper but marginally shorter). The altitude gain is 1,601 metres from 1,982m at Gaurikund to 3,583m at the temple.
| Checkpoint | Distance | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jungle Chatti | 4 km | ~2,450m | First tea shops, rest point |
| Bheembali | 6 km | ~2,850m | Last reliable food and water |
| Lincholi | 9 km | ~3,100m | Rest rooms, small guest rooms |
| Kedarnath base | 18 km | 3,583m | Temple complex, guesthouses |
Alternatives to walking
Pony/mule: Rs 2,500-4,500 one way from Gaurikund. Book early in the morning as mules sell out by 8 AM in peak season. Palanquin (doli): Rs 6,000-12,000 one way, the main option for elderly or mobility-limited pilgrims. Helicopter: Departs from Phata, Sirsi, Guptkashi, and Agastyamuni (not from Gaurikund itself). Rs 5,500-7,000 per seat.
All transport options compared
| Mode | Route | Cost (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own car | 8-10 hrs to Gaurikund | Rs 1,400-1,800 fuel + Rs 150/day parking | Families, groups |
| Shared taxi | 9-11 hrs total | Rs 600-800/seat | Solo travellers, budget |
| GMOU/UPSRTC bus | 10-13 hrs | Rs 200-300 | Extreme budget |
| Helicopter + drive | 6 hrs drive + 8 min flight | Rs 5,500-7,000 + fuel | Speed, limited mobility |
Frequently asked questions
How far is Dehradun to Kedarnath?
The road distance from Dehradun to Gaurikund (the trek start point) is 245 km. From Gaurikund to the Kedarnath temple it is 18 km by trek.
Can I drive directly to Kedarnath?
No road reaches Kedarnath. The nearest a vehicle can get during peak season is Sonprayag (237 km from Dehradun), where private vehicles are stopped. A government shuttle covers the remaining 8 km to Gaurikund.
How long does the Kedarnath trek take?
The 18 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath takes 6-8 hours going up for a person of average fitness. Descent takes 4-5 hours.
Is helicopter available from Dehradun to Kedarnath?
No direct helicopter operates from Dehradun. You drive to Phata, Sirsi, or Guptkashi (about 6 hours from Dehradun) and take the helicopter from there. The flight is 7-8 minutes.
Can I do Kedarnath in one day from Dehradun?
Not comfortably and not safely. Even leaving at 3 AM, you reach Gaurikund by 1 PM at earliest. Starting the 18 km, 1,600m-climb trek at 1 PM puts you at Kedarnath at 9 PM in the dark. Budget two days minimum.
What is the Sonprayag barrier?
A traffic restriction checkpoint where private vehicles are stopped from proceeding to Gaurikund during peak pilgrimage season. Government shared jeeps handle the 8 km shuttle for Rs 100/person.
Last updated: May 2026