This blog serves as a guide to the Best Hiking Places in India that are suitable for both new and experienced trekkers alike. Here’s the brief description of important hiking spots:
Chadar Trek, Ladakh:
Trek over the ice-covered Zanskar River in Ladakh’s Himalayas and get a thrilling experience in its isolated villages and Buddhist temples.
Deoria Tal and Chandrashila Trek, Uttarakhand:
Explore the serene Deoria Tal lake and hike to the Tungnath Mandir ridge. The trek route around this region is very simple, but it goes sharply uphill.
Dzongri Trek, Sikkim:
Take a 5-day trek starting from Yuksom, covering 21 km with views of Mt. Kanchendzonga and Dzongri La summit, passing through Kanchenjunga National Park.
Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh:
Start in Manali and trek through lush valleys to reach Chandratal Lake. On the hike, you will pass through charming towns, waterfalls, and diverse flora and wildlife.
Araku Valley Trek, Andhra Pradesh:
Experience lush vegetation and tribal settlements in the Eastern Ghats’ Araku Valley and hike from Katiki Water Falls to Bora Caves.
Chembra Peak Trek, Kerala:
Climb Kerala’s highest peak, Chembra Peak, for stunning views of the Western Ghats and its dense forests, tea gardens, and a heart-shaped lake.
Anamalai Trek, Tamil Nadu:
Explore challenging hikes to Anamudi Peak in the Anamalai Hills, you will get to see colourful wildlife of Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
David Scott Trek, Meghalaya:
Hike on historical routes through Eastern Khasi Hills, passing valleys, rivers, and charming Khasi settlements, and get sights of Umiam River and sacred forests.
Darjeeling to Kurseong Trek, West Bengal:
Follow the Old Military Road from Darjeeling to Kurseong, passing Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Buddhist Monastery and scenic tea estates.
Rajmachi Fort Trek, Maharashtra:
Trek to Rajmachi Fort in the Sahyadri Hills and get a panoramic view of the valley and hill stations.
Aravalli Hills and Mount Abu, Rajasthan:
Take hiking trails in the Aravalli mountain range, meanwhile, exploring Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary with valleys, caves, and multi-day walks.
Furthermore, detailed hiking guides, including duration, seasons, and areas, about these hiking locations are given below.
Your Guide to Discover the Top Hiking Havens Across India
If you are an enthusiastic hiker or if you are thinking about taking a hiking and trekking tour in India, then check out these Best Hiking Places in India.
India is a real hiking haven. The stunning trails in India are widely recognized for their luxuriant vegetation and wildlife, as well as cascading streams that lead to a mesmerizing view of the mountains. Here are some of the Best Hiking Places in India, ranging from the tea farms and rainforests of the south to the snow-capped High Himalayas in the north.
Trekking Adventures in the Northern Heights of India
1. Chadar Trek
Trekking in the Ladakh Himalayas is a thrilling experience for enthusiasts who want to walk over the ice-covered Zanskar River. The river retains its rapids in certain spots but is kept from totally frozen over by spring water. Walking along the Chadar River, which breaks and changes colour every few hours, is definitely a path to trek.
The Chadar Trek is a breathtaking adventure, however, sometimes difficult, that offers the chance to see isolated villages and historic Buddhist temples in the Trans Zanskar mountain region. The hikers must create a fresh path through snow-covered banks in order to get down to a point on the Zanskar River where the ice is more stable, thus making the trekking exciting.
●Region: Ladakh Himalayas
●Duration: 13 days
●Season: Mid-January – February
2. Deoria Tal and Chandrashila Trek
Deoria Tal, also known as “the bathing place of the gods,” is a stunning lake located approximately 8.7 miles (14 km) east of Ukhimath in Uttarakhand. The lake reflects snow-covered Himalayan peaks in its serene waters.
The trek route around this region is very simple, but it goes sharply uphill. It follows a well-maintained trail along the blooming rhododendron trees in the spring. Moreover, in this trekking, you can include a hike to the ridge rising above Tungnath Mandir, reaching an elevation of 3,690m (12,110ft) Chandrashila..
●Region: Uttarakhand
●Duration: 2 days
●Season: March to May and September to November
3. Dzongri Trek
The 5-day Dzongri trek in Sikkim is one of the Best Hiking Places in India. Additionally, it begins and concludes in Yuksom and spans 21 km, reaching a maximum elevation of 15,000 feet.
This journey is a must if you have limited time and want to see the best places of the Himalayas, including Mt. Kanchendzonga and Dzongri La summit. Moreover, this trekking passes through the Kanchenjunga National Park, Siachen, Bakkhim, and Tshokha, featuring hanging bridges, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant red and white rhododendron blooms.
●Region: Sikkim
●Duration: 5 days
●Season: April to June and October to December
4. Hampta Pass Trek
A unique adventure through Himachal Pradesh’s unmatched splendour awaits you at Hampta Pass. Beginning in Manali’s lush valleys, you’ll gradually progress through the region’s tall trees, bubbling streams, and charming meadows.
Upon reaching the magnificent Chandratal Lake, a serene haven surrounded by towering mountains marks the trek’s high point. With the well-planned Hampta Pass trek package, you can explore charming towns, immaculate waterfalls, and a variety of flora and wildlife.
●Region: Himachal Pradesh
●Duration: 4 nights and 5 days
●Season: Mid-June – September
Trekking Adventures in Southern India’s Wilderness
5. Araku Valley Trek
Araku Valley is situated in Andhra Pradesh. Some of the Best Hiking Places in India can be found in this area, which is known for its lush vegetation. The Araku Valley, which is situated in the eastern ghats, offers an abundance of hills, dense forests, and cascades.
You will witness the group settlements and their culture up close while travelling. These tribal settlements are traversed on hiking trails. Barezolla Park is also visible on the hike. Popular hiking trails include the one that leads from Katiki Water Falls to Bora Caves.
●Region: Andhra Pradesh
●Duration: 7-8 hours
●Season: December to February
6. Chembra Peak Trek
Chembra Peak is the highest point in Kerala, at 2,100 meters (6,890 feet), and it lies 90 kilometres northeast of Kozhikode. The peak can be reached easily in a single day climb. It is a lovely track with clear markings through dense forest, undulating tea gardens, and fragrant coffee and spice estates.
A heart-shaped lake can be found around halfway up, but if you hike all the way to the top, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Western Ghats’ verdant hills. More than 300 vulnerable plant and animal species are preserved in this mountainous area.
●Region: Kerala
●Duration: 6-7 Hours
●Season: August to May
7. Anamalai Trek
In the Western Ghats’ Anamalai Hills sub-cluster, the tallest peak in South India, Anamudi Peak, offers some of the most popular and challenging hiking opportunities in the area. The Anamalai Tiger Reserve’s nature trail is an additional option that has grown in popularity recently. The colourful wildlife of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve is another reason it is liked by hikers and environmental groups. There are a few difficult routes in the area that go to this summit and you can choose the one according to your needs.
●Region: Tamil Nadu
●Duration: 4-6 hours
●Season: June to September
Trekking Through the Mystical Trails of India’s East
8. David Scott Trek
The David Scott Trek is one of Meghalaya’s oldest routes with an exciting historical journey. It is a section of a 100-kilometre route that was built in India during British rule. This 16-kilometer trip travels over mountains, valleys, woods, and rivers as it passes through the Eastern Khasi Hills.
David Scott Trek travels through deep valleys with the River Umiam flowing alongside at an elevation of 4,892 feet. Amidst undulating slopes, gushing streams, stone bridges, natural lakes, and ancient sacred forests, one can find charming Khasi settlements.
●Region: Meghalaya
●Duration: 4.5-5 Hours
●Season: September and April
9. Darjeeling to Kurseong Trek
Old Military Road is one of the Best Hiking Places in India, as it connects Darjeeling with Kurseoung. Moreover, this hiking trek lasts for one day, thus making it one of the most common routes for beginner hikers. The journey begins in Darjeeling and ends in Kurseoung.
The Old Military Road is a fantastic path for sightseeing. Notably, the Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Buddhist Monastery is one interesting location you can see on the hike. Additionally, the coffee plantations and the monastery are worth visiting. Furthermore, there are many tea estates, where tea leaves fill these expansive tea estates with fragrance.
●Region: West Bengal
●Duration: 4–5 days
●Season: March and May
Vibrant Trekking Trails of India’s West
10. Rajmachi Fort Trek
The Rajmachi Fort in modern-day Maharashtra is one of the Best Hiking Places in India, and it lies in the Western Ghats. It was formerly a seat of Maratha supremacy in the Sahyadri Hills.
With a height of 2510 feet and an easterly orientation, the Manaranjan Fort faces west, while the Shriwardhan Fort faces east. The route ends at Duke’s nose, where you can see the valley that passes through the hill stations, Valvan Dam and Tungarli Dam.
●Region: Maharashtra
●Duration: 2.5–3 hours
●Season: June to September
11. Aravalli Hills and Mount Abu
The western state of Rajasthan is well-known for its palaces, forts, and deserts. But, in this primarily desert state, the Mount Abu region, a part of the Aravalli mountain range, is an unexpected hiking destination.
Hiking is excellent at the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary because of its valleys and Trees. Many hikes with different distances and degrees of difficulty are available, including multi-day walks. This trekking also offers cave exploration, rock climbing, and abseiling.
●Region: Rajasthan
●Duration: 3-4 hrs
●Season: October–February and March–June
Conclusion
India is a trekker’s dream destination because of its varied terrain and rich cultural legacy. Every trekker can find something to enjoy in the country, regardless of experience level. Enter a world of adventure and use this guide to visit the Best Hiking Places in India and take in the splendour of nature.
FAQs
1.Which is the best trekking place in India?
There are many trekking places in India, but among them, Aravalli Hills and Mount Abu, Chadar Trek, David Scott Trek and Chembra Peak Trek are the most important.
2.Is trekking safe in India?
If the right safety measures are followed, trekking in India is safe. Choose a reliable trekking company, follow well-used paths, and take precautions against altitude sickness and other health hazards.
3.What are the activities that can be taken during trekking in India?
Trekking is a great way to disconnect from the hectic city life and get closer to nature. In India, while trekking, you can camp, hang out with friends over entertaining activities around a bonfire, and cook a barbecue.
