Gartang Gali is an old wooden staircase carved into a sheer cliff near Bhairon Ghati, on the road to Gangotri, once part of a trade route to Tibet.
It was closed for decades, then restored, and now you can walk it again. It sits inside Gangotri National Park, so you need a forest entry permit, which you get at the entry near Bhairon Ghati. Only a set number of people are allowed on the old wooden steps at a time, for safety.
Who needs a permit
You need a forest entry permit for every person, because Gartang Gali lies inside Gangotri National Park in a border area. You get the permit at the entry point and show it at the check post. The staircase is a short but thrilling walk, hanging over the gorge, so the guards manage it with care.
The staircase, in plain words
You reach the trailhead near Lanka bridge, at Bhairon Ghati, on the Uttarkashi to Gangotri road, and walk down to the restored wooden stairway. The steps cling to the cliff above the Jadh Ganga gorge, and the drop below is dizzying, so it is not for those who fear heights. The wood is beautifully rebuilt in the old style, and the views are grand. It is a short walk, done in a couple of hours.
The safety limit
Because the staircase is old in style and hangs over a gorge, only a set number of people are allowed on the wooden steps at any one time. So there can be a short wait at busy times, and the guards manage the flow. Follow their instructions, do not crowd the steps, and do not lean on the railings.
Where to get the permit, step by step
Get the forest entry permit at the Gangotri National Park entry near Bhairon Ghati, with your photo identity. Pay the small fee, and walk to the staircase. Follow the guard's instructions on how many go at a time. Carry the permit and your original identity, because staff check both at the entry.
Season, so you plan the right months
Gartang Gali is open in the warmer months, roughly from May to October, along with the Gangotri road, and closes with the winter snow. The weather is best in the early summer and after the monsoon. It is high and cool even in summer, so carry a warm layer, and wear shoes with a good grip for the wooden steps.
Common mistakes to avoid
- The biggest mistake is arriving without the forest permit, so the guards turn you back. The next is crowding the staircase, when only a set number may go at a time. Do not attempt it if you fear heights, because the drop is real. Do not travel outside the open months, when the road is under snow.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit for Gartang Gali?
Yes, a forest entry permit from the Gangotri National Park entry near Bhairon Ghati.
What is Gartang Gali?
A restored old wooden staircase carved into a cliff, once part of a trade route to Tibet, now open to walk again.
Is it safe?
Yes. The forest team restored it and manages it, and allows only a set number of people on the steps at a time, but it is not for those who fear heights.
When is it open?
Roughly from May to October, closing with the winter snow.
Where is it?
Near Bhairon Ghati and Lanka bridge, on the Uttarkashi to Gangotri road.