Quick answer: Haridwar to Kedarnath is roughly 235 km by road to Sonprayag, then a 5 km shared jeep to Gaurikund and a walk of about 16 km to the temple. The drive to Guptkashi takes 7 to 8 hours. Plan 4 days for Kedarnath alone, or 5 if you add Tungnath. Register online first; Haridwar’s offline counters get very crowded in May.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
For generations, the yatra to the Himalayan dhams has begun with a dip at Har Ki Pauri. Haridwar is where the Ganga leaves the mountains, where long-distance trains from across India arrive, and where pandas have kept family records of pilgrims for centuries. Starting your Kedarnath yatra here means taking the Ganga’s blessing first and then following the river upstream, past the confluences, to the Mandakini and Baba Kedar.
Haridwar to Kedarnath distance and route
| From Haridwar to | Approx. road distance | Approx. drive time | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 24 km | 45 min to 1 hour | Gateway to the hills; Triveni Ghat |
| Devprayag | 95 km | 3 to 3.5 hours | Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form the Ganga |
| Rudraprayag | 165 km | 5 to 6 hours | Mandakini joins the Alaknanda; road turns towards Kedarnath |
| Guptkashi | 205 km | 7 to 8 hours | Usual night halt; Vishwanath and Ardhanarishwar temples |
| Sonprayag | 235 km | 8 to 9 hours | Private vehicles stop; registration checked |
| Gaurikund | 240 km | Shared jeep from Sonprayag | Footpath begins |
These are road distances rounded from official and district figures; Uttarakhand Transport gives Rishikesh to Gaurikund as about 207 km. Landslide repairs and diversions can add time, especially between Srinagar and Rudraprayag.
How many days from Haridwar?
Four days is the minimum for an unhurried yatra on foot. The rhythm most families follow:
- Evening before: arrive in Haridwar, attend the Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri, eat early.
- Day 1: leave around 5 or 6 am, drive via Rishikesh, Devprayag and Rudraprayag to Guptkashi or Sitapur.
- Day 2: Sonprayag, jeep to Gaurikund, climb to Kedarnath; night at the dham.
- Day 3: morning darshan, walk down, back to Guptkashi.
- Day 4: drive to Haridwar, arriving by evening for night trains.
Adding Tungnath makes it five days: after Kedarnath you cross to Chopta through Ukhimath, climb about 3.5 km to the third Kedar, and drive down the next day. If your sankalp is for all five Kedar shrines, the full Panch Kedar yatra from Haridwar takes about two weeks.
Registration in Haridwar: online is far better
Registration on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app is compulsory and free. Offline counters are set up in Haridwar every season. In 2026 the temporary registration centre was at Rishikul Ground, and on 26 May it stopped taking registrations from 2 pm because of the rush for Kedarnath and Yamunotri, reopening next morning. Families who arrived without online registration lost a day.
So register online before you board your train. Each yatri needs a photo ID; use the same original card on the journey. Children need registering too. Our step-by-step registration guide shows what to enter.
Things to do in Haridwar before you leave
- Snan and aarti at Har Ki Pauri. The evening Ganga aarti is the classic send-off. Arrive an hour early for a place on the ghat steps. Our Haridwar Ganga aarti guide has timings and seating tips.
- Meet your family panda if you have one. Many families have ancestral records with Haridwar pandas and like to note their yatra there.
- Mansa Devi or Chandi Devi. Both have ropeways and can be done on arrival day if your train arrives early.
- Shopping. Woollens, ponchos, walking sticks and rubber-soled shoes are cheaper in Haridwar’s Moti Bazaar and Upper Road than in Guptkashi or at Kedarnath.
Haridwar Kumbh 2027 and the Kedarnath season
The Haridwar Kumbh (Ardh Kumbh) is scheduled from 14 January to 20 April 2027, with the last Amrit Snan on 14 April, Mesh Sankranti. That is just before Kedarnath usually opens in late April or early May. Expect hotels and trains to Haridwar to be very full in early and mid-April 2027. If you want to combine a Kumbh snan with your Kedarnath darshan, book well ahead and keep a day’s buffer. The Kedarnath opening date for 2027 will be announced on Mahashivratri, 6 March 2027, which is also one of the Kumbh’s Amrit Snan days. See our Haridwar Kumbh 2027 guide.
Best months and what the 2026 season looked like
Kedarnath opened on 22 April 2026 and closes on 11 November 2026, Bhai Dooj. The best stretches are May to mid-June and mid-September to October. July and August bring monsoon landslides; in July 2026 the trail was halted for a time after debris fell near Chhodi above Gaurikund. If you travel in those months, keep two extra days and follow district advisories.
Getting to Haridwar
Haridwar Junction is one of the best-connected stations in north India. Direct trains run from Delhi (Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, Jan Shatabdi and several expresses), Mumbai (the daily Bandra Terminus–Haridwar Express and others), Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and the east. Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun is about 35 to 40 km away by road. If you are travelling from Delhi, see Kedarnath yatra from Delhi.
How we can help
From Haridwar, our Kedarnath Tungnath yatra covers two Kedar shrines in 5 days (from ₹25,000 per person) with a night at Kedarnath. If you would like Badrinath too, the Do Dham yatra by road from Haridwar takes 6 days (from ₹35,000 per person). For devotees with time and fitness, the Panch Kedar yatra from Haridwar (13 days, price on request) covers all five Kedar. Browse the Kedarnath packages or the Panch Kedar packages, or read our Kedarnath page in Hindi. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kedarnath from Haridwar?
About 235 km by road from Haridwar to Sonprayag, where private vehicles stop. A shared jeep covers the next 5 km to Gaurikund, and from there the temple is roughly 16 km on foot. The drive from Haridwar to Guptkashi, the usual night halt, takes 7 to 8 hours including tea and lunch stops.
Can I get Char Dham registration done in Haridwar?
Yes, offline counters open in Haridwar each season. In 2026 the centre was at Rishikul Ground. However, on rush days registration was suspended in the afternoon and resumed next morning. Online registration on the Uttarakhand Tourism portal or app takes a few minutes, is free, and saves the risk of losing a day.
Is there a bus from Haridwar to Kedarnath?
Buses run from Haridwar and Rishikesh towards Sonprayag and Gaurikund in the yatra season, but they leave very early, fill quickly and do not stop where you may want to. With elders or luggage, a private vehicle or a package with a hill driver is much more comfortable. No bus goes beyond Gaurikund.
Should we take Ganga snan at Har Ki Pauri before Kedarnath?
Many families do, as it is the traditional start of the Himalayan yatra. Plan to arrive in Haridwar the evening before, attend the Ganga aarti, and bathe at dawn if you wish. Use the chains and railings at Har Ki Pauri, as the current is strong, and keep children and elders close.
Will the Haridwar Kumbh 2027 affect a Kedarnath yatra?
It may, mainly in April 2027. The Kumbh runs from 14 January to 20 April 2027, ending close to when Kedarnath usually opens. Trains, hotels and roads around Haridwar will be very busy around snan days such as 14 April. Book early or start from Dehradun to avoid the mela crowds.
How many days do I need for Kedarnath from Haridwar?
Four days for Kedarnath alone, with a night at the dham. Five days if you add Tungnath via Chopta. Six days if you also want Badrinath. If you are coming from a far city, add your train days and keep one buffer day for weather or road blocks.
Which railway station should I book for Kedarnath?
Haridwar Junction is usually the best choice, because it has the most trains and is directly on the road north. Yog Nagari Rishikesh is 24 km closer but has fewer trains. Dehradun works if your train goes there or if you plan a helicopter yatra from Sahastradhara.