Imagine a staircase of wooden planks hanging on the side of a vertical granite wall, with a gorge of white water far below your feet and nothing on the other side but air. That is Gartang Gali. It is one of the most photographed sights in the upper Bhagirathi region, and it has the unusual advantage of being as interesting for its history as for its view.
The walkway was part of an old trade route into Tibet. It fell out of use after the 1962 war, decayed for decades, and was restored and reopened to visitors in 2021. Today you can walk it, with a permit and a little courage. This guide covers what it is, how to reach it, when to go, what the permit involves, and how to walk it safely.
In this guide: A trade route in the cliff · Numbers · Permit · Getting there · The walk · When to go · Rules · Make a day of it · FAQs
A trade route cut into the cliff
For centuries, wool, salt and other goods moved between Tibet and the Garhwal side along high valley routes. Gartang Gali was one of the key stretches, where the path crossed the Jadh Ganga gorge on a staircase of timber fixed to the rock. Local and published accounts say it was built more than 150 years ago by Pathan traders and labourers from Peshawar.
After 1962, with the border closed, the route was abandoned. The planks rotted and the stairway was closed for decades. The restoration that reopened it was a significant moment locally, because it brought a piece of the region's trade history back into use.
Some websites claim that a 7th-century Chinese traveller used this route and that a famous book about Tibet mentions it. We could not verify those claims, so we do not repeat them.
The numbers at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length and width | About 136 m long and 1.8 m wide |
| Distance from Harsil | About 16 km by road to the start near the Lanka bridge |
| The walk | About 5 km round trip, 2–3 hours |
| Altitude | Sources give about 3,350 m and also about 2,950 m |
| Permit | Required; reported ₹206 + ₹20 |
| Season | April to November |
Permit and fees
Reported figures are around ₹200-250 for indian citizen and 600-800 for Foreign citizen, per person plus ₹20 for forest fee. Permits are reported to be issued at the national park office at Kotbungla in Uttarkashi and at the Bhairon Ghati barrier . Carry photo ID, and be aware that group-size and daily visitor limits may apply, and that the walkway can close at short notice for weather or maintenance. If you travel with Gokeys, we sort out the permit for you.
Getting there
From Harsil, you drive about 16 km toward the Bhairav Ghati and the Lanka bridge side, where the barrier and permit check are close to the start of the walk. From Uttarkashi it is a longer drive and is best treated as a morning outing. Our how to reach Harsil Valley guide covers the main road.
The walk
The walk is about 5 km round trip, and published guides give 2–3 hours. The path is a mixture of wooden planks, steps and rocky trail, with the gorge on one side and rock on the other. It is not technical and doesn't need climbing skill, but it does test your nerve. Hold the railing where there is one, keep to the marked path, and don't stop in the middle of the planks for a photograph.
Views along the walk are of the narrow gorge below and the barren, rocky slopes around, quite unlike the forests of lower Harsil.
When to go
April Mid to June is the first window, with clear skies and the walkway open. July and August are often closed or unsafe because of rain. September to November Mid is excellent, with sharp air and stable weather. From Nov mid to April Mid it is generally not open or safe.
Rules and safety
Published guidelines for visitors include a limit of about 10 people on the walkway at a time, about one metre between people, no jumping or dancing, no smoking or flammable items, no drones without permission, and nothing thrown over the edge. Keep children close, and skip the walk if you are afraid of heights. Follow staff instructions if the walkway is closed.
Making a day of it
Gartang Gali sits comfortably on a day when you also see the Mandakini waterfall, reported to be on the road; see Ram Teri Ganga Maili in Harsil. If your trip is long enough, the Sattal trek and Harsil's own Lama Top walk make good companions, and if permits allow, the Nelang valley lies further on. Staying in Uttarkashi is another option. Our Harsil tour package handles transport and permits.
