Triund

Triund is a wide alpine meadow perched above McLeod Ganj, right where the forest ends and the Dhauladhar range takes over the sky. Shepherds used this ridge as grazing ground long before it became a trekking destination. The Dhauladhar peaks rise sharply on one side, often streaked with snow, while the Kangra Valley falls away in soft layers on the other. That contrast is one of the things that makes this area so photogenic. You can easily positions yourself near the ridge edge and experiment with letting the jagged skyline fill the frame. Sunrise is the strongest light here, striking the snow first while the valley still sits in shadow below. As the day goes on, clouds tend to roll in and soften the view, so mornings are your best bet for a clean, sharp shot of the range. Reaching Triund means a nine kilometre climb from McLeod Ganj through the forest, gaining well over a thousand metres along the way. The trail is well marked, with a few tea stalls to break up the walk. While the last stretch is quite steep, the views are definitely worth the effort! Camping is permitted at the top, which is the easiest way to have your gear set up before sunrise without rushing the climb in the dark. Weekends often bring crowds, so aim for a weekday if you want the ridge to yourself. (McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India)