There is no direct road or trekking trail between Kedarnath and Tungnath. To get from one to the other, you trek 16 km down to Gaurikund, drive approx. 75–80 km by road to Chopta via Ukhimath, and then trek another 3.5–4 km up to Tungnath. Put together, that’s close to 100 km of trekking and driving combined — usually done across two days, not one.
If you’ve searched this before landing here, you’ve probably seen three very different numbers: 30 km, 80 km, and 200 km. All three show up because each one is measuring something different. Here’s the full breakup, so you know exactly what you’re planning for.
Kedarnath to Tungnath Distance: Full Breakup
Kedarnath sits in the Mandakini valley, reachable only on foot from Gaurikund. Tungnath sits on the other side, above Chopta, on a completely separate approach road. There’s no trail or road joining the two directly — so the journey happens in four distinct legs.
| Leg | Distance | Mode | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kedarnath Temple → Gaurikund | 16 km | Trek (descent) | approx. 5–7 hrs |
| Gaurikund → Sonprayag | 5 km | Road (shared taxi) | approx. 15–20 min |
| Sonprayag → Chopta (via Guptkashi, Kund, Ukhimath, Duggalbitta) | 75–80 km | Road | approx. 3–4 hrs |
| Chopta → Tungnath Temple | 3.5–4 km | Trek (ascent, steep) | approx. 2–3 hrs |
Add it up and you’re looking at roughly 20 km on foot and 75–80 km by road — approx. 100 km end to end. Road conditions on this stretch can add or shave off time depending on the season, so treat the timings as a working estimate, not a fixed schedule.
Why Do Google and Other Sites Show Different Numbers?
30–31 km: This is the straight-line (aerial) distance between the two temples — useful for a map overlay, not for planning a journey. There’s no road or trail that follows this line, so it’s not a number you can actually travel on.
78–90 km: This is the road-only distance, usually measured from Gaurikund or Sonprayag to Chopta. It’s accurate as far as it goes, but it skips both treks entirely — so it understates what your day actually looks like.
200–230 km: This figure usually comes from a longer multi-day Char Dham loop, or a routing tool that’s picked an indirect path. It’s not the standard point-to-point route pilgrims and trekkers actually use.
Our number — approx. 100 km — is the only one that accounts for both treks and the road together, which is what you’ll actually be covering.
How to Travel From Kedarnath to Tungnath?
On foot and by road (the standard way): Trek down from Kedarnath to Gaurikund, take a short local taxi to Sonprayag, then a longer cab or bus ride to Chopta, then trek up to Tungnath. This is how almost everyone covers this route, and it’s the sequence the rest of this guide assumes.
By taxi: A private cab from the Sonprayag taxi stand to Chopta typically costs somewhere in the ₹1,800 to ₹4,000 range for the full car, and is worth booking as a single ride rather than switching vehicles partway.
By bus: Direct private or shared buses do not run directly from Sonprayag to Chopta. There’s no single bus that runs the whole route, since Kedarnath itself has no road access. GMOU and private buses connect Sonprayag or Guptkashi to Chopta via Ukhimath, and you’ll usually need to change vehicles along the way.
By bike: The road distance is the same 75–80 km, but budget extra time — 4–5 hours instead of 3–4 — for the hairpin bends and altitude. Guptkashi and Ukhimath are your last reliable fuel stops before Chopta.
By helicopter (partial route only): A helicopter from Kedarnath can get you to Phata helipad in minutes, cutting out the 16 km trek down. It doesn’t touch the Tungnath side at all, though — from Phata, you’re still looking at approx. 57–60 km by road to reach Chopta.
If you haven’t finalised your route to Kedarnath itself yet, it’s worth checking the Haridwar to Kedarnath distance first, since that leg decides how many days you’ll have left for the Tungnath add-on.
Kedarnath to Tungnath Route Map
The full route, in order: Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Sonprayag → Guptkashi → Kund → Ukhimath → Duggalbitta → Chopta → Tungnath. Kund is where the road splits — one direction goes toward Guptkashi and Gaurikund for Kedarnath, the other toward Ukhimath and Chopta for Tungnath. If you’re driving yourself or briefing a driver, this is the sequence to follow; most GPS apps handle it correctly once you enter Chopta as the destination rather than “Tungnath,” since the last stretch is on foot.
Kedarnath to Tungnath Trek Distance: Which Is Harder?
The two treks on this route aren’t comparable in difficulty, even though people often ask which is “worse.”
| Kedarnath Trek | Tungnath Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (one way) | 16 km | 3.5–4 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging | Easy to moderate, but steep |
| Time | 5–8 hrs | 2–3 hrs |
| Pony/palki available | Yes | Yes |
| Helicopter option | Yes | No |
Kedarnath’s trek is longer and more physically demanding simply because of the distance. Tungnath’s trek is shorter but steeper in parts, so don’t assume it’s the “easy one” just because the number looks smaller — plenty of people find the last stretch to Tungnath harder on the legs than expected, especially after already doing the Kedarnath descent the same trip. For a closer look at what the Kedarnath stretch itself involves stage by stage, the Kedarnath trek difficulty breakdown covers this in more detail.
Permit and Season You Should Know
Kedarnath Yatra registration is mandatory before you start the trek, done through the official Uttarakhand Tourism portal. This applies even if Tungnath is just an add-on to your main yatra, so don’t skip it thinking it’s only relevant to Kedarnath itself.
Both temples are open only from around late April/May to October/November each year, and close for winter. If you’re travelling in the monsoon months, the Ukhimath–Duggalbitta stretch is the part of this route most prone to landslide-related delays — build a buffer day into your plan if you’re travelling June to September.
Can You Cover Kedarnath to Tungnath in One Day?
Not advisably. The 16 km descent from Kedarnath alone takes 5–7 hours. Add a 3–4 hour drive to Chopta after that, and you’re left with no daylight or energy for the Tungnath climb the same evening. Most people who try to compress this into one day end up reaching Chopta well after dark, with the trek still ahead of them. Two days is the realistic minimum for this route.
Suggested 2-Day Plan
Day 1: Kedarnath darshan (early morning) → trek down to Gaurikund → local taxi to Sonprayag → drive to Chopta via Ukhimath → overnight at Chopta.
Day 2: Early trek to Tungnath → optional extension to Chandrashila (+1.5 km) → return to Chopta.
This keeps each day’s physical load manageable and gives you a fresh start for the Tungnath climb instead of attempting it on tired legs.
Kedarnath to Tungnath to Badrinath Distance
If you’re extending the trip further, Chopta to Badrinath is approx. 170–172 km by road via Chamoli and Joshimath, roughly 5–6 hours of driving. This is a separate leg from the Kedarnath–Tungnath stretch covered above, so plan it as its own day rather than tacking it onto the same one.
My Tips for This Trip
These come from people who’ve actually done this route, not just packing-list advice you’ll find everywhere:
- Don’t attempt the full Kedarnath-to-Chopta transfer in one push. Travellers who’ve tried it describe reaching Chopta well after dark even starting early from Sonprayag.
- Book a private cab directly from the Sonprayag taxi stand to Chopta if you can. Shared transport usually means a forced change at Ukhimath, which eats time you don’t get back.
- Start your Kedarnath descent by 6–7 AM. It gives you a real daylight margin for the drive that follows.
- Keep one buffer day in your overall plan, especially outside the peak May–June window. The Ukhimath stretch is where weather delays tend to happen.
- Pack for Tungnath separately from Kedarnath — it’s colder and windier than the altitude difference between the two suggests, and a lot of people get caught out assuming lower means warmer.
Coordinating the Sonprayag–Chopta transfer, the Chopta overnight, and the timing on both treks is where most self-planned trips lose a day somewhere. It’s exactly the kind of route our Kedarnath tour packages are built around, with the transfers and stay handled so you’re not figuring it out mid-trip.
FAQs
What is the distance between Kedarnath and Tungnath?
Approx. 100 km in total — a 16 km trek to Gaurikund, a 75–80 km road drive to Chopta, and a 3.5–4 km trek up to Tungnath.
What is the Kedarnath to Tungnath distance by road?
The road-only portion, from Gaurikund/Sonprayag to Chopta, is approx. 75–80 km via Guptkashi and Ukhimath.
Can I go to Tungnath directly from Kedarnath in one day?
Not advisably. The trek, drive, and second trek together take longer than a single day realistically allows.
What is the Kedarnath to Tungnath bus ticket price?
There’s no single direct bus. Local buses run Sonprayag/Guptkashi to Chopta via Ukhimath, and confirm current rates before travelling.
What is the Kedarnath to Tungnath trek distance?
Two separate treks: 16 km from Kedarnath to Gaurikund, and 3.5–4 km from Chopta to Tungnath. They aren’t connected by a single trekking trail.
Is there a direct bus from Kedarnath to Tungnath?
No. Kedarnath has no road access at all, so any bus journey starts from Sonprayag or Guptkashi, not Kedarnath itself.
What is the distance from Tungnath to Badrinath?
Approx. 170–172 km by road from Chopta, via Chamoli and Joshimath — roughly 5–6 hours.
Which trek is more difficult, Kedarnath or Tungnath?
Kedarnath’s trek is longer and more demanding overall at 16 km. Tungnath’s is shorter at 3.5–4 km but steeper in sections, so it shouldn’t be underestimated.
Can I travel from Kedarnath to Tungnath by bike?
Yes, on the same 75–80 km road stretch as a car, though budget 4–5 hours instead of 3–4 for mountain roads and altitude.
What is the best route from Kedarnath to Tungnath?
Kedarnath → Gaurikund → Sonprayag → Guptkashi → Kund → Ukhimath → Duggalbitta → Chopta → Tungnath. This is the standard route used by taxis, buses, and self-drive travellers alike
Abhijay Travel is a Karnal-based travel company specializing in North India tour packages. We help travellers explore destinations across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, and spiritual circuits through well-planned itineraries, reliable travel arrangements, transparent pricing, and dedicated customer support.
