Glaciers in Kumaon, Uttarakhand :

Glaciers are basically made up of fallen snow which over the years compresses into large thickened masses of ice which have an ability to move, albiet very slowly. The glacial movement is directed by gravity and high pressure. It is noteworthy that the glacial ice is the largest source of fresh water on Earth.

Glaciers of Uttarakhand acts like an important features of Uttarakhand's topography as it source some of the most important river systems of India. While the river Ganga has its origin in the melt waters of Gangotri glacier, the melt waters of Yamunotri glacier feed the headstream of river Yamuna.Glaciers in Kumaon region are given below :

Kafni Glacier : The Kafni Glacier is located in the upper reaches of the Kumaon Himalayas, to the southeast of Nanda Devi. The glacier gives rise to the Kafni River, which is a tributary of the Pindar River. The Pinder River is a tributary to Alaknanda River, which eventually is one of the two headstreams of the Ganges. This is relatively small glacier but a popular trekking destination along with Pindari Glacier.

Maiktoli Glacier : Maiktoli Glacier is situated to the west of the Pindari glacier in the Kumaon Himalayas. This glacier is 5 km long and is situated on the southern slope of the Sunderdhunga Khal. Maiktoli glacier serves as an important source of the Sunderdhunga River which forms the Sunderdhunga khal, situated on the southern slope of Pindari glacier. This river later merges with Pinder River.

Milam Glacier : Milam Glacier is a major glacier of the Kumaon Himalaya. It is located in the tehsil of Munsiyari, part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, about 15 kilometres (9 mi) northeast of Nanda Devi. It ranges in elevation from about 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) to about 3,870 metres (12,700 ft) at its snout. It covers around 37 km2 (14 sq mi) and is 16 km (10 mi) long. Milam glacier was reopened in the year 1994. It was closed in 1962, so it was inaccessible for trekkers and other visitors. It is a popular destination among trekkers now.

Milam Glacier is situated on the south facing slope of the main Himalayan range. It originates from the eastern slope of Trishuli and the southern slope of its eastern subsidiary Kohli. The subsidiary glaciers coming off the peaks of Hardeol, Mangraon (6,568 m), Deo Damla (6,637 m), and Sakram (6,254 m) on the eastern rim of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary flow into it from the west, while on the east it is fed by glaciers from Nanda Gond (6,315 m) and Nanda Pal (6,306 m) The glacier is the source of the Goriganga River. The village of Milam lies near the snout of the glacier; Munsiyari, further down the Goriganga valley, is the base for the trek to the glacier.

Namik Glacier : Namik Glacier is situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. The glacier is situated on the Kumaon Himalayas at an altitude of 3,600 m (11,800 ft). This glacier is the source of the Ramganga River. The glacier is surrounded by the following peaks: Nanda Devi 7,848 metres (25,748 ft), Nanda Kot 6,861 metres (22,510 ft), and Trishuli 7,120 metres (23,360 ft). The glacier falls on ancient Indo-Tibet trade route. It is 23 km (14 mi) trekking from Liti and situated at the villages of Gogina and Namik.  There are a number of waterfalls and sulphur springs originating around this glacier. The glacier can be reached by trekking from gogina on the sama liti Road near. It is 63 kilometres (39 mi) from Bageshwar. Jeeps can be hired from Bageshwar or Kapkot up to Gogina. 'Namik' means a place where saline water springs are present.

Pindari Glacier : The Pindari Glacier is a glacier found in the upper reaches of the Kumaon Himalayas, to the southeast of Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot. The glacier is about three kilometers long and 365 meters wide and gives rise to the Pindar River which meets the Alakananda at Karnaprayagin the Garhwal district.

Ralam Glacier : Ralam Glacier is one of the main Himalayan glaciers situated on the hills of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. Munsiyari is the base for the trek. This glacier is situated near Ralam Dhura at Ralam Khal. It lies at the base of the Great Himalayan Wall. It is situated at an altitude of 2,290 m (7,510 ft) above sea level. The glacier is glaciologically divided into two parts named Upper Ralam and Lower Ralam. From Munsiyari to Ralam it is 15 km (9.3 mi).

Sunderdhunga Glacier : The glittering Sunderdhunga Glacier glorifies the Kumaon Region with its existence. Situated in the Sunderdhunga Valley, which is some 24 km from Khati Village. Sunderdhunga Glacier is located in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. Adorned with an intriguing panorama, this glacier sits close to Sukhram and Maiktoli Glacier. The trek to Sunderdhunga Glacier is a gripping one as it opens up to spectacular views of imposing peaks like Maiktoli, Mrigthuni, Tharkot and Panwalidwar. A paradise for nature lovers and keen photographers, Sunderdhunga Glacier is a must see natural wonder.

                      Most of the known glaciers in Uttarakhand feed the enduring rivers that flow through the state and are an important source of fresh water for the locals. Needless to say that hiking to these glaciers is a popular adventure activity amongst the adventure aficionados. However, some of the glaciers are counted as holy in Uttarakhand making a must see or a place to perform the pilgrimage, while there are some glaciers that are admired for their enormous size, high altitude, and resplendence.