Mini Gartang Gali Rishikesh: Discover Thrills of Kotli Bhel Trek in 2025

This unseen place 40KM away from Rishikesh became the choice of tourists, creating a buzz on social media! Know the exact location. Kotli Bhel is also known as Mini Gartang Gali Rishikesh, this track is situated in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, which is about 40 kilometers away from Rishikesh.

To reach this track you have to do one hour drive, which makes it easily accessible. The view here is enchanting – among difficult mountains, fast flowing Ganga, and green forests there is a unique natural beauty.

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Kotli Bhel Trek

If you like adventure and have a passion for exploring places going viral on social media, then Kotli Bhel Trek near Rishikesh is perfect for you! Hill stations and trekking routes of Uttarakhand have always had their own distinct identity, and trekking lovers are always in search of some new and exciting track. Since last year, Kotli Bhel Trek has been rapidly going viral on social media, and here a crowd of adventure lovers gathers.

Who Built It originally?

During British rule, the hill was cut to make the path
On the Rishikesh-Badrinath walking path, a seven-foot-wide road was made by cutting the Kotli Bhel hill during the British rule. It is said that at that time, workers were suspended to cut the hill.

Pedestrian travel continued on this path until 1998. Many foreign tourists had previously come to see the Kotli Bhel hill. They have made documentaries on this hill.

Location: Mini Gartang Gali Rishikesh

It is located in the enchanting Ganga Valley near Kaudiyala, Mini Gartang Gali is a marvel of architectural engineering. It is built on semi vertical rock face. This wood-lined stairway winds its way up to around 1500 meters above sea level. It provides a panoramic view of the Ganges Valley below.

Where is Kotli Bhel Trek?

This track is situated in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand and is about 40 kilometers away from Rishikesh. To reach here, you only have to do a one-hour drive. This place, due to its difficult mountains, fast-flowing Ganga river, and green forests, has become a perfect destination for trekking enthusiasts.

This track has been developed by PWD (Public Works Department) following the model of Gartang Gali of Uttarkashi, which has further increased its beauty.

16-Kilometer Adventure

If you love adventure, then this 16-kilometer-long track will be no less than a challenge for you. On the way, you will get the chance to pass through small wooden bridges and dense forests. From here, the view of the Ganga is extremely beautiful, for which people are coming from far and wide.

Option 1:
Start your journey early in the morning with a drive to Tota Ghati (Mahadev Chatti Ridge). From there, trek 8 kilometers along the Badrinath pilgrimage footpath, beginning at Mahadev Chatti Ridge and ending at the village of Simalu. The trek runs parallel to the Ganges.

Once you complete the trek at Simalu, a cab will pick you up and drive you back to Rishikesh via Devprayag. Along the way, you can enjoy a beautiful waterfall, amazing rock formations, and the mesmerizing view of Kotli Bhel. You will also see old Chattis (inns) where pilgrims in ancient times stayed during their Char Dham Yatra.

Option 2:
Start your journey early in the morning with a drive to Tota Ghati (Mahadev Chatti Ridge). From there, trek the Kotli Bhel trek, a 3-kilometer trek one way along the Badrinath pilgrimage footpath. Trek until you reach Kotli Bhel, where you can explore the area and enjoy the waterfall. Afterward, trek back to Mahadev Chatti Ridge and drive back to Rishikesh.

How to reach Kotli Bhel Track

From Rishikesh, you have to reach Mahadevchatti Dhar (35 km) on the Badrinath Highway. From there, you have to walk one kilometer down towards the Ganga River. After that, crossing the Jhula bridge and passing through Rampati, you can reach the Kotli Bhel trekking route.

From here, you can trek nine kilometers up to Simalu. From Rishikesh, via Mohan Chatti to Nand village, you can trek 16 km from there to Kotli Bhel–Simalu.

From Rishikesh

For trekking enthusiasts, there are two options to reach Kotli Bhel. If you want to go on the ancient pilgrimage route from Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh, then you can walk along Garud Chatti, Phool Chatti, Mohan Chatti, Kund, Nothkhal, Bandar Chatti, Bandar Bhyel, Dhangu Garh, Balogi, Mahadev Chatti, covering about 35 km on foot to reach Kotli Bhel.

If you want to do a shorter trek, then on the Rishikesh-Badrinath route, about 35 km from Rishikesh, you can take the road a little ahead from Kaudiyala and descend at Mahadev Chatti bridge. From here, after walking about four kilometers, you will reach Kotli Bhel. The natural beauty here, the sound of the flowing Ganga, and the exciting track will captivate your heart.

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Best Time To Visit

From October to May  is the best time to visit Kotli Bhel which also famous on social media as Mini Gartang Gali in Rishikesh.

For those planning to visit Mini Gartang Gali near Rishikesh, the experience is not accessible throughout the year. During monsoon time this activity are closed but jut after monsoon October onwards this trek route re open for  adventure .

Conclusion

Just 40 kilometers from Rishikesh, the Kotli Bhel Trek offers adventure seekers a chance to explore one of Uttarakhand’s lesser-known trekking routes. Following the ancient Badrinath pilgrimage footpath, this trek combines history, nature, and thrill. Originally carved during the British era, the path runs through dense forests, steep hills, and provides stunning views of the Ganga River below.

The trek spans from Tota Ghati (Mahadev Chatti Ridge) to the village of Simalu, covering 8 kilometers, with shorter options available for casual trekkers. Highlights include the Kotli Bhel waterfall, panoramic mountain vistas, and glimpses of old chattis (pilgrim inns). Developed with wooden structures in the style of Gartang Gali, Kotli Bhel has become a must-visit destination for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Whether you are seeking adventure, serenity, or photography opportunities, the Kotli Bhel Trek promises a memorable experience amid pristine natural beauty.