Traill's Pass Trek
10 Days · 5312m Historic Pass · Pindar to Gori Ganga Traverse · Expert Trekkers
📅 10 Days
• 5312m Pass
• Historic Route
🥾 Very Difficult
10 Days · 5312m Historic Pass · Pindar to Gori Ganga Traverse · Expert Trekkers
Traill's Pass (5312m) is one of the most historically significant high mountain passes in the Kumaon Himalaya, named after G.W. Traill, the Commissioner of Kumaon from 1816 to 1835 who first crossed the pass in 1830. The pass connects the Pindar glacier valley (Bageshwar district) with the Gori Ganga valley (Pithoragarh district) and is one of the few passes linking the two great glacier drainage systems of Kumaon.
The route starts from the Pindari Glacier trek trail (Loharkhet, Bageshwar) and, after reaching the Pindari glacier, climbs over the pass into the Milam valley approach. The pass crossing involves significant glacier travel, crevasse navigation, and steep snow on both sides. The views from the pass include Nanda Devi, Nanda Khat, Changuch, and the surrounding high peaks of the Kumaon Himalayan range.
Traill's Pass is not a trek for anyone below expert level. The crossing requires glacier travel, crampon and ice axe competence, rope skills, and high-altitude fitness. The route is rarely attempted and guides with specific knowledge of the pass are few. Dev Yatra can organise Traill's Pass expeditions for qualified groups with all ILP, camping, technical equipment support, and an experienced Kumaon mountaineer guide.
One of India's oldest documented high-altitude pass crossings. Rich history from the colonial exploration era.
Nanda Devi (7816m) and Nanda Khat (6611m) visible from the pass ridge. Outstanding Kumaon panorama.
Pindari glacier to Milam valley traverse. Technical glacier travel on both approach and descent sides.
Links the Pindar valley (Bageshwar) with the Gori Ganga valley (Pithoragarh). No major glacier traverse in Kumaon is more classic than this.
BEST SEASON
Best glacier conditions for the crossing. Pindari road open. Most successful pass crossings occur in May-June.
EARLY AUTUMN
Post-monsoon stability. September only — October too cold for this altitude.
IMPOSSIBLE
Pass completely snowbound. No attempt possible in winter months.
All our treks start from Haridwar . Reach Haridwar first:
Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun (35 km from Haridwar). Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru.
Haridwar Railway Station — overnight trains from Delhi take 5-6 hours.
Delhi ISBT to Haridwar by Volvo (6 hrs). State buses connect to all base towns.
Delhi to Haridwar 210 km (4-5 hrs via NH-58). Pickup from Delhi/Dehradun on request.
Trails Pass in the Johar Valley extends beyond the Milam Glacier route into even more remote terrain. This is genuinely an expedition and requires all the logistics of the Milam trek plus the pass crossing capability. Very little documented information exists about this route in English — it is known primarily to local Bhotia guides and ITBP. Come with experienced local guiding, full camping self-sufficiency, and emergency communication (satellite phone). This is not a route to improvise.