There aren’t many treks that let one experience the raw grandeur of a Himalayan pass crossing. Connecting Har Ki Dun valley with Yamunotri, the Bali Pass is an exhilarating trail. It traverses the confluence of Tons and Ruinsara rivers, the undisturbed serenity of the Ruinsara Valley and the lush meadows of Devsu Thach.
Soon, greenery paves way for an alpine zone. At 16,207 ft, the Bali Pass offers a 360 degree panoramic view of the Bandarpoonch, Kalanag and Swargarohini peaks. This reward doesn’t come easy, as this trek is a difficult one, not suitable for beginners.

Highlights On The Bali Pass Trek

The ancient villages of Osla and Gangad take you back in time

On day one, the ancient villages of Gangad and Osla strike a chord with unique village cultures and folklore. The ancient temples at Osla have riveting Himachali architecture that can keep you absorbed for a long time.

The alpine meadows of Devsu Thach in middle of the Ruinsara Forest are a grand surprise of the trek.

The setting of Dev Thach is picture perfect. A thriving meadow surrounded by tall trees with Swargarohini and Kalanag looming in the background makes for a perfect setting. It makes for a very tempting spot to camp.

The trail from Devsu Thach to Ruinsara Lake, meandering next to the Ruinsara River

This is a beautiful and tricky stretch. The valley is narrow and one can be excused for comparing it with Rishi Gorge from Nanda Devi Sanctuary, although it isn’t as difficult as the latter. The array of alpine flowers across the river bank is astonishing.

The Ruinsara Lake is a special glacial lake

Resting amidst beautiful mountain ranges of Swaragrohini, the lake is serene and calming. The meadows around are neat and untouched. One can experience a sense of tranquility all around the lakeside.

The challenging approach to Bali Pass

Like most Himalayan pass crossings, it is best done in either pre or post monsoon seasons. In the month of June and July, the higher regions of the pass are covered in snow while in post monsoon season, it is a drier, rockier approach. Trekkers who enjoy high altitude pass traverses will find themselves totally at home.