Gonkh is a small but picturesque hamlet with spectacular views of distant himalayan peaks. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, this tiny settlement with vast terraced fields surrounded by pine and rhododendron trees is a paradise for solitude seekers. This hidden gem is very near to Auli: India’s winter games destination. Gonkh is hardly 2 kms from Lower auli and a pleasant trail from the forest check point at Lower Auli leads you to Gonkh. This little paradise is fast gaining popularity among hikers and nature lovers. Overnight camping there on weekends is kinda craze among the hikers.
Gonkh used to be the summer settlement of many families from the nearby town Joshimath and Selong village. These families used to migrate to Gonkh with their cattles in spring and stayed there till the advent of winter. The vast terraced fields were ploughed by men while the women collected fodder for cattle and wood for fuel. Potato and rajma from Gonkh were famous and procured handsome price in nearby towns. Nowadays only a couple of families follow this tradition of seasonal migration to Gonkh as crop cultivation there is no more profitable. Monkeys destroyed the apple orchards there and the crop every year is destroyed by the wild boars.
There are a couple of trails that lead to Gonkh but the one that begins from the forest check point in Lower Auli is considered the best and most pleasant. The initial five hundred mts hike is a gradual climb trail that meanders through the terraced fields and apple orchards and leads you to Sunil Kund. This kund or lake has all dried up due to unknown reasons, while the natives claim that the tunnel being built underneath the town for a hydro power project is the reason why many natural water resources in the town have vanished. The dried lake is being used as a cricket ground by the kids in vicinity. The landscape here is spectacular and this place provides mesmerising views of snow clad himalayan peaks.
A gentle trail from here leads you to the Devi temple perched on the hill top. After paying homage at the temple one moves ahead and reaches the sunset point which is hardly one hundred and fifty mts from the temple. As the name suggests this point provides a magnificent and marvellous view of sky at sunset and dusk. On arrival at sunset point the hikers get the mesmerising glimpse of the spectacular Gonkh hamlet at a distance. The gentle trail from sunset point to Gonkh goes through rhododendron forest and finally reaches a small mountain stream with icy cold water. This stream is the eastern boundary of the village. Hardly a hundred mts walk from the stream are the old mud and stone houses of this village. Surrounded by the pine and rhododendron forest, amidst the terraced fields are the mud houses that add to the beauty of this pristine landscape.
Far from the hustle and bustle of cities and towns, this place is a heaven for solitude seekers. The only sound audible here is that of the nearby stream and the pleasant chirping of the birds in the woods. Customized camping is arranged here with bon fire and lip smacking food. At nights star gazing is the major attraction as the sky is clear here round the year. In case one wishes to spend a night in the stone and mud houses here : it can be arranged and customized. Another activity worth mentioning here is jungle hike. Jungle hikes from Gonkh to jakthali can be done. The trail goes through dense forest where the sunlight hardly penetrates. The soil beneath your shoe is damp and you can smell the dampness in the air. There is pin drop silence in the forest and the sound of breaking of twig beneath your foot startles you. As you hike deep into the forest, the sweat running down your neck shivers you. If you love the gush of adrenaline running down your veins then this jungle hike is a must for you.
This destination is recommended for those nature lovers and hikers who are in search of a paradise far away from the madding crowd. For those who enjoy spending their valuable time in solitude and want to pen down the notions arising in their temple.
