Dharamshala Kareri Lake trek can be your trek of a lifetime. The Kareri Lake Himachal Pradesh trek is located in Kangra district. A trek on this path will take you through subtropical pine forests. A breeze of chir and chilgoza pine adds a lot of elegance and mystique to the Dharamshala Kareri Lake trek.

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When you are in the last section of this trail, the forest turns into a rocky grassland, which has a nallah named Nyund, which Kareri Lake feeds. The forest in this region is primarily pine, which makes it truly exclusive and mesmerizing.

An Offbeat Lake Trek

Kareri Lake Trek or Dharamshala Kareri Lake can be your weekend adventure in case you wish to spend some quality moments in solitude. This Kareri Lake trek is miles different and distinct from other trails like Kheerganga, Triund, etc., which have become too commercial of late.

Kareri Village to Reoti

Ghera or Kareri village is the starting point of the Kareri Lake trek or the Dharamshala Kareri Lake. Once here, you are at an altitude ranging from 5905 feet to 8038 feet by the time you reach Reoti. The trek from Kareri village to Reoti will take around 4 to 5 hours, depending on your stamina.

The Kareri Lake Himachal Pradesh trek is mostly an ascent and is also steep in some parts. Once you are on the steep ascent, you will find some steps cut into a hill, which makes the trek easy. This portion of the Dharamshala Kareri Lake has mixed pine and broadleaf forest initially, and when you are in the final phase of this trek, pine and deodar forests will come your way along with some grasslands.

Well, you need not carry a lot of water since the Kareri Lake trek has numerous waterfalls where you can savor the fresh water, which will beat the best you can buy!

Kareri village is quite popular with tourists too, as many come to this village only in case they are not in a position to trek higher to Dharamshala Kareri Lake. Mixed pine and broadleaf forests can be seen from the initial stage of this trek, which makes the journey enchanting. Those who have an interest in exploring the faunal wealth shall also come across birds such as the red-billed blue magpie.

Image Courtesy: Timelenz

Fifteen minutes into the Dharamshala Kareri Lake trek, you shall come to a point where a metalled road appears. As you walk for 10-15 minutes on this path, you come to a point known as Nolli Bridge. The trail from a point just before this bridge goes to Kareri Lake. However, there is a small shop selling eatables here, and you can relax for a while before proceeding on the trek.

Minutes into the forest, another shop selling hot and piping Maggi comes up. A waterfall flowing adjacent to this shop makes this a worthy point to stop and have some Maggi. You can relax for a while before proceeding to Revti, which is a 1.5-hour trek.

You will come across a metal bridge, which is a crossing over the Nyund nallah, which you might have seen earlier on this Kareri Lake trek. Moving along the banks of this nallah, you will come into an open grassland.

This region has good pastures, and it is common to come across Gaddis here who have herds of sheep grazing here! This sight is mesmerizing indeed, and you shall remember it for a long time. Once you pass this nallah and 15 minutes on this trail, you will find a campsite on the nallah bank at a place known by the name of Reoti. This place offers gorgeous views of the valley, which you will be able to see from this point.

There is a campsite here, and you will get good dal-rice and vegetable roti here. Indeed, what a place to have tasty, almost home-cooked food in a moonlit and starlit sky. You can also rent out a tent and a sleeping bag here.

Reoti to Kareri Lake

On the second day of the Dharamshala Kareri Lake trek, you will have to trek from an altitude of 8,038 feet to 9,613 feet. It shall take around 1.5 hours to trek to this lake from Reoti. The ascent to the Kareri Lake is gradual from this point, and you will come across grass meadows with big boulders alongside. (a good place for clicking some pics!)

You will have to set out early in the morning from Reoti. The path that goes to the Dharamshala Kareri Lake from this point is paved in most parts. Small unpaved patches do come up in this final Kareri lake trek (what is the beauty of the trek if it is paved all the way otherwise!)

You will see that this stream gets more intense as the ultimate pinnacle of the trek, Kareri Lake, comes up. A campsite that you shall come across 1 hour after walking from Reoti, and this is the last one before the Kareri Lake.

Small stone steps will lead you to the top, which has a suitably located Shiva temple. The other side of this hill has the Kareri Lake, which is the ultimate end of this trek. This lake is shallow at the banks, and the opposite end of the lake has the Dhauladhar!

You can spend some moments at the lake, savoring the solitude and nature. Head back to Reoti in time, and you can further descend to Kareri village by the evening on day two!

FAQs

How difficult is the Kareri Lake Trek?

This trek is usually considered to be moderate. You will have to travel through hills and boulders and ascend a lot during the Dharamshala Kareri trek.

How far is Kareri from Dharamshala?

Dharamshala to Kareri is around 27 km. The trek from this Kareri village to Kareri Lake is 10-13 km.

Can the Kareri Lake trek be done in one day?

If you have a moderate level of fitness, the Kareri trek can be done in a day. However, it is better to take it in your stride and complete it in two days. This way, you will be able to savor nature and take home great trek memories with you.

How high is Kareri Lake?

Kareri Lake is at an altitude of 2934 meters above mean sea level. It is 9 km south of the Dhauladhar range.

How to reach Dharamshala?

Dharamshala is the beginning point for this trek. Dharamshala is easily approachable by road, rail, and air. You can choose the one that suits you the best.

Featured image: viator