There is no doubt that trekking through picturesque hills and valleys is an experience that one cherishes for a lifetime! There are so many people who go to distant locations in foreign countries to fulfill their trekking fantasies, but why go outside when you can find some of the most mesmerizing trekking sites in India itself?
I would not be exaggerating if I say that the trekking sites in India, especially ones around the Himalayas, are drop-dead gorgeous! Ranging from simple to challenging, there’s a trekking site for everyone!
Here’s a list of the 10 most beautiful treks in India that you need to add to your itinerary for your next trek:
We can’t discuss scenic trekking routes without adding Kashmir to the list! If trekking is your go-to adventure activity, you can’t miss out on a trek to the Kashmir Great Lakes. This nine-day trek might not be a beginner’s cup of tea, but every sweat you break while on this journey is worth it!
Every alpine lake in this area has its unique charm! The rich blue water, and the silvery white snow peeping from between the mountains, set against the backdrop of the beautiful meadows of Kashmir, all make you feel like you are in a Ruskin Bond short story!
During your trek, you get a peak of not one but six different lakes and not one but five different valleys, so it would be safe to say that, after a trek to the Kashmir Great Lakes, other trails seem ‘paani kam chai’!
From Dhaula in Uttarakhand to Sangla in Himachal Pradesh, Rupin Pass Trek is nothing less than a roller coaster ride! Its meandering routes and unpredictable terrains, at a thrilling altitude of 15,250 ft, make this trail a treat for expert trekkers!
Known as the Iceland of India, trekkers at the Rupin Pass Trek are met with a pleasant surprise in almost every twist and turn. Let’s be honest; trekking across this precipitous trail, you will get at least seven days’ worth of cardio! But trust me, all that intense physical workout is worth it!
From coming across the mighty Rupin river to snow bridges, lush meadows, and captivating waterfalls, you will witness some of the most picture-perfect miracles of nature!
Also called ‘Trekker’s Wonderland,’ Sandakhphu is the highest point in West Bengal, situated at 11,500 feet. Sandakhphu is one of the few trails in the world, which can give you a view of the 8,000 m high family of Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and Everest, lovingly called the Sleeping Buddha!
Besides, you also get a taste of Bengal’s rich biodiversity through this trail! In fact, for the locals, Sandakhphu is a mountain of poisonous plants because of the significant presence of Himalayan Cobra Lilies!
That is not all; the sheer variety of rare animals you will find in this area will knock your socks off! So if you come across a red panda or a clouded leopard during your trek, don’t be too surprised!
The Hampta Pass Trek is the perfect trekking site for beginners. This marvelous site is called the Valley of Flowers of Himachal Pradesh because of its lush green valleys, dotted with various flora and fauna, cozily sitting between the snow-capped mountains!
Situated at an altitude of 14,000 feet, the Hampta Pass trek is full of adventures! Within the 5 days it will take to complete the trek, you will pass through bright, colorful landscapes, but once you reach the Spiti Valley, you will be in for a great surprise! Here, you will come across rugged and barren terrain, a stark contrast to nature’s vibrant beauty on the other side!
This smooth gradient from vivid greenery to naked lands has secured the Hampta pass trek a solid position on the list of 10 most beautiful treks in India!
Kedartal is one of India’s most mind-bogglingly beautiful yet challenging treks! Watching peaks the usual way is so last year! Why not try something new? How about watching a peak’s reflection on a lake?
Situated in the lap of majestic peaks like Mt Thalaysagar, Manda Parvat, Mt. Bhrighupanth, and Mt Jogin is Kedartal, a sparkling lake 17 km away from the renowned Gangotri, which perfectly captures the reflection of the Thalaysagar peak! This is a sight you won’t be able to witness twice in your life!
But be warned! This scenic trail comes with many challenges and is only for people with prior experience in Himalayan treks. You have to ascend from an altitude of 11,000 ft to a whopping 16,000 ft within 3-4 days! You will be experiencing rocky trails from the very first day, so you’ll need to prepare those calves!
Moreover, if you’re looking for an escape from the hustling and bustling crowds, Kedartal’s little to no human inhabitation will be a welcome change!
Viewing the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga is every trekker’s dream. The Goechala Trek lets you fulfill this dream and so much more! You can view the peak of Kanchenjunga and 14 other summits!
Located at 15,000 ft ASL, Goechala is one of the oldest trekking sites in India! Starting the trek from the Yuksom village in Sikkim, you go through a diverse route of adventures – the calm lake of Samiti and the mysterious aura of the Thanshing all add an awe-striking charm to the trail!
And if you plan your trek during the spring months, you will get yet another pleasant surprise. You will be accompanied by bright red and pink rhododendrons throughout your hike!
The Pin Parvati Pass trek is a 12-day trek in Himachal Pradesh packed with adventure, thrill, and excitement! Almost every experienced trekker in India has had the Pin Parvati Pass Trek on their bucket list at some point in time! Because who wouldn’t want to get the perfect bird’s eye view of the extraordinary Pin and Parvati Valley?
This trek is not only bestowed with exotic natural diversity but is also brimming with culture and tradition! From the striking green meadows of Odi Thach to the cozy hot springs of Kheerganga, this trail gives you the best of both worlds. The quaint little Buddhist villages in and around the area are proof of remarkable culture and heritage.
Words fall short of penning down the indescribable joy of traversing this 17,457 ft pass!
Bhrigu Lake in Manali is genuinely a noteworthy wonder created by Mother Nature. This splendid turquoise glacial lake is situated at 14,100 ft and leaves you with utter joy and satisfaction! If you want to check off the ten most beautiful treks in India off your bucket list, then you cannot miss out on the captivating beauty of the Bhrigu Lake Trek.
Covering a distance of 26 km, one can quickly complete this trek in 3 days. During this exciting adventure, you will come across the awe-striking Seven Sisters Peaks, Hanuman Tibba, Indrasan, the Pir Panjal ranges, and much more!
That is not even the best part! Guess what? You can trek to Bhrigu Lake at almost any time of the year! Spring would be a perfect time if you prefer vibrant landscapes pulsating with life and color. Around this time, the lake region and the entire trekking route are surrounded by diverse alpine flora and fauna!
On the other hand, if you are a fan of soothing white scenery blanketed by the gentle snow, you better plan your trek in the colder months! One thing is for sure, this location adorns itself with a unique beauty with changing seasons!
Kedarkantha is one of India’s most famous trek sites, quickly making its way on our list of the ten most beautiful treks of India! This trek takes you along the Govind Pahu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand and provides you with a never before seen experience. This five-day-long trek is as rewarding as it is challenging.
The best attraction of this trek is probably the summit view you can witness at the final stop! The stunning summit is accompanied by postcard-worthy landscapes and forests that seem magical!
The steep climb of 3,810 m can be a bit of a challenge, but the 360-degree view of the Himalayan ranges is definitely worth the trouble!
The Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a dream come true for nature enthusiasts! When it comes to difficulty, the trek to Valley of Flowers is not the easiest. So, you better be ready for a 6-8 km walk every day to complete a distance of 55 km at an altitude of around 3600 m.
Located in the Chamoli area of Uttarakhand, the rich endemic flora and fauna are not the only attractions here! The dense, mysterious forests, the majestic glaciers, the majestic waterfalls, and of course, the gentle river of Pushpawati are all here to give a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
In this list, we have only named 10 out of the bazillion excellent treks that are found in India! If we start talking about all of them, we might as well write up a full-fledged thesis about it.
But the treks in this list are 10 of the most beautiful treks in India that will surely dazzle you and keep you wanting more! That is precisely what we are here for.
Come around when you need more trekking suggestions! Till then, happy trekking!
