Quick answerHaridwar to Kedarnath is 235km by road to Gaurikund plus a 16km trek — about 251km door to temple. The drive takes 8 to 9 hours via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi, and the trek another 5 to 7 hours, so it is realistically a two-day journey with a night at Guptkashi. A one-way cab starts at ₹3,000. There is no direct bus and no railway; helicopters fly only the final leg from Phata or Guptkashi.
The road from Haridwar to Kedarnath is not just a journey — it’s a preparation. By the time you reach Gaurikund and take your first steps on the 16km trail, the mountains have already begun their work on you. The river gorges, the Devprayag confluence, the narrow mountain roads — they peel away the city before you even reach the temple.
Here is the complete route guide from Haridwar to Kedarnath, including distances, journey times, the best places to stop, and exactly what to expect at each stage.
Quick Answer
Haridwar to Kedarnath is 235 km by road to Gaurikund, then a 16 km trek (or pony/helicopter) to the temple. By cab it is 8–9 hours of driving (one-way fare from ₹3,000); there is no direct bus or train, and helicopters fly only the final leg from Phata/Guptkashi. Kedarnath is open for 2026 (until 11 November). Most pilgrims take a 2–3 day package with a night at Guptkashi.
Total Distance: Haridwar to Kedarnath
🚗 By Road: Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund = 235 km (~8–9 hours driving) 🥾 By Trek: Gaurikund → Kedarnath = 16 km (5–7 hours) 📏 Total journey: 235km + 16km = approximately 251 km and 13–16 hours total
Day-by-Day Route Breakdown
Day 1: Haridwar → Guptkashi (210 km | 7–8 hrs)
Start early — 5 AM ideally. The drive follows the Ganga through Rishikesh, passes the sacred Devprayag confluence (Bhagirathi + Alaknanda), continues through Srinagar Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Agastyamuni to Guptkashi. Overnight in Guptkashi — best base for Kedarnath.
Day 2: Guptkashi → Gaurikund → Kedarnath (8 km drive + 16 km trek)
Drive from Guptkashi to Sonprayag (30 min), then shared jeep to Gaurikund (7 km). Hot spring dip at Gauri Kund. Begin the 16km trek by 6–7 AM for a comfortable ascent. Arrive Kedarnath by early afternoon. Evening darshan.
Day 3: Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Return (16 km descent)
4:30 AM Brahma Muhurta puja — the most auspicious time. Trek down or take the descent services. Continue journey to the next dham or return base.
The route follows NH-7 along the Ganga to Rudraprayag, then NH-107 up the Mandakini valley. For the interactive version with halts and fuel stops, open our Char Dham route map.
Key Stops Along the Route
Devprayag
Sacred confluence of Bhagirathi + Alaknanda = Ganga. Photo stop. Temple visit. 10–15 min.
Best overnight base for Kedarnath. Vishwanath Temple. Mountain views. Good hotels.
Sonprayag
Last motor vehicle point before Gaurikund. Mandakini + Songannga confluence.
Gaurikund
Trek starting point. Hot spring. Gauri Temple. Last food and supplies point.
How to Reach Kedarnath from Haridwar — All Options Compared
There is no single “Haridwar to Kedarnath” vehicle that drops you at the temple — the last 16 km is a trek no road covers. What changes is how you cover the 235 km to Gaurikund. Here is every option side by side.
Mode
Distance / Route
Time
Cost
Notes
Cab / Taxi
235 km to Gaurikund
8–9 hrs
From ₹3,000 (one way)
Most popular. Door pickup, your own pace, hill-experienced driver. Same cab waits for your trek.
Bus
To Sonprayag/Guptkashi
9–11 hrs
₹400–₹700
No direct bus to Kedarnath. Cheapest but slow and seasonal; jeep + trek from Sonprayag.
Helicopter
Drive to Phata/Guptkashi, fly last leg
6–7 hrs road + 8–10 min flight
₹7,500–₹9,500 round trip
No chopper from Haridwar itself. Saves the trek. Book early — limited daily slots.
Train
Haridwar is the railhead
Road + trek beyond
Train fare to Haridwar only
No rail line to Kedarnath. Arrive Haridwar by train, switch to cab or package.
The drive ends at Gaurikund (1,982 m), the last motorable point. From there the 16 km trail to Kedarnath (3,583 m) is on foot, pony or palki, or you skip it with a helicopter from Phata or Guptkashi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Haridwar to Kedarnath?
Haridwar to Kedarnath is about 235 km by road up to Gaurikund, then a 16 km trek to the temple — roughly 251 km in total. Driving takes 8–9 hours and the trek another 5–7 hours, so most pilgrims split it across two days with a night at Guptkashi.
How much is a Haridwar to Kedarnath cab or taxi fare?
A one-way cab from Haridwar to Gaurikund starts at ₹3,000 in a Swift Dzire (4 seats), ₹4,300–₹5,600 in an Ertiga or Innova Crysta (6–7 seats) and ₹6,000–₹7,700 in a Tempo Traveller (12 seats). Round-trip with a 2–3 day halt is usually quoted as a package. Hill-experienced drivers only.
Is there a bus from Haridwar to Kedarnath?
There is no direct bus to Kedarnath. State and private buses run from Haridwar/Rishikesh to Sonprayag or Guptkashi (₹400–₹700, 9–11 hours); from Sonprayag you take a shared jeep to Gaurikund and trek. Buses are cheapest but slow and seasonal — most pilgrims prefer a cab or package.
Can I take a helicopter from Haridwar to Kedarnath?
Helicopters do not fly from Haridwar directly. You drive to a helipad — Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi (6–7 hrs from Haridwar) — and fly the last leg to Kedarnath in 8–10 minutes. Round-trip helicopter tickets run ₹7,500–₹9,500 per person and must be booked in advance.
Is there a train to Kedarnath from Haridwar?
No railway line reaches Kedarnath. Haridwar is itself the nearest major railhead; from there it is entirely road plus trek. Rishikesh station is slightly closer to the hills but offers fewer trains. Pilgrims arriving by train at Haridwar switch to a cab or package for the rest of the journey.
What is the route and map from Haridwar to Kedarnath?
The road route is Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund, then a 16 km trek to Kedarnath. It follows the Ganga and Mandakini rivers through Devprayag and Rudraprayag confluences.
When does Kedarnath open in 2026?
Kedarnath temple opens on 22 April 2026 at 8:00 AM and closes around 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj). May–June and September–October are the most comfortable months to travel from Haridwar.
We run this route as a package from Haridwar — ₹5,250 all-inclusive, pickup, stay and a guide who knows the trek. See the Kedarnath package