Trans Bhutan Trail

The Trans Bhutan Trail is an ancient route through the Himalayas that lets you follow in the footsteps of our ancestors. For hundreds of years, the trail was used by pilgrims, messengers, armies and traders – and until the 1960s, it was the only way to travel through and communicate with others across the country. After Bhutan initiated a process of planned development beginning in the 1960s, a national highway was constructed and the trail fell into disuse. Under the vision of the king of Bhutan, the Bhutan Canada Foundation together with the Tourism Council of Bhutan and other local partners are currently working to restore and reconnect this historic route. To mark the launch of the restored trail in September 2022, a national event had 24 scouts – one from each dzongkhag (district) and four from each thromde (city), representing the entire country – walk the length of the trail in a show of national unity. I led this scout walk for the full 250 miles, from Haa east to Trashigang. 

The trail offers exposure to unique culture, multiple dialects, different religious sites and varied flora, fauna and birds – as well as a range of campsites, farm houses, hotels and unique foods. Scenic views and conversations with local people make it even more pleasant and rejuvenating. One can hike through the trail at any time of the year, with each season offering a different experience. (Note that the trail sees snowfall during the winter months, and muddy, challenging conditions in the summer monsoon season.) Visitor-friendly, the trail can be hiked in different sections, with a clear end point for each. QR-coded signposts provide links to texts and comic book–style illustrations that explain the history of each area.

The details as follow;

• 403km: From Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east.
• Recognized as one of the world’s greatest walks and a top hiking destination in Asia,
• Passes 27 Gewogs, 4 Dzongs, 21 temples, 12 mountain passes, 5 suspension bridges, 10 cantilever bridges, 77 chortens, and 30 stupas.
• Along diverse landscapes: rive fields, rhododendron forests, remote villages, and bustling towns, like Thimphu and Bumthang.