Top 7 Treks in India

Introduction

Trekking is the most adventurous outdoor activity; it offers a wide range of experiences, especially in India —from the high Himalayan trails in the North to the Jungles of the Western Ghats, you get all you want. The trek passes through frozen rivers, landscapes, and meadows, offering opportunities to see diverse wildlife, unique flora and fauna, and a unique culture across India. Here, I am going to share about the Top 7 treks in India, covering their height, highlights, accessibility, and best time to visit. Some popular treks in India are the Kashmir Great Lake trek, the Kedarnath trek, the Hampta pass trek, the Goechala trek, the Sandakphu trek, the Kudermukh trek, and the Rajmachi fort trek. These treks are popular for their stunning scenery and natural setting. Let’s know more about these trekking trails in detail.

Kashmir Great Lake Trek: High-altitude alpine trek

The Kashmir Lake trek is a popular site in the Himalayas of North India. The trek is located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu & Kashmir and is renowned for its pristine lakes, alpine meadows, and panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. The highest point of the trek is Gadsar Pass, which sits at an altitude of 4,200 meters.

It is 70-75 km long, starting from the Sitkadi village of Sonamarag town. The trek is considered moderate to difficult due to its length, steep inclines, and high-altitude terrain, and it takes 8-9 days to complete.

• Height/Altitude: The altitude of the trek ranges from 1,100 to 13,700 feet.
• Location: Kashmir valley of Ganderbal district of Jammu & Kashmir
• Difficulty level: moderate to challenging
• Highlights: seven glacial lakes (Gadsar, Krisnasar, etc.) along the trek and captivating views of the Himalayas.
• Best time to visit: accessible only for a few months of the year, from Early July to September, and it is closed the rest of the year due to heavy snow and harsh weather.
• Entry Information: Permits, documentation, and identification are required from the local authorities as it passes through the sensitive regions, zones, and high-altitude trails.
• Tip: The trek is not suitable for Beginners; hiking experience is required for the trek, so practice it and stay connected with your family, as the mobile networks are very low.

Goechala Trek: Raw seat to Kanchanchanga mountains

Gorchala is a popular high-altitude trek located in the Sikkim state of India, part of the Kanchanjanga national park (a UNESCO World Heritage site). The trek is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including the rhododendron forest, maples, lush meadows, and glacial valleys. The total distance of the trek is 70-80 km round-trip, starting from Yuksom town of Sikkim, and it takes 8-10 days to complete. It is considered a moderate to challenging trek due to the uneven terrain and continuous inclines.

• Height/Altitude: Approximately 15,100 feet above sea level at Goechala viewpoint.
• Location: Kanjanjanga National Park of Sikkim in India.
• Difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult
• Highlights: Sunrise and sunset views over the Kanchanjanga range, a serene lake, and the unique culture of Sikkim.
• Best time to visit: Summer (Mar-May) and Autumn (Sep-Nov) offer pleasant weather with comfortable temperatures and excellent accessibility.
• Entry Information: Entry fees and permits are applicable to get entry into Kanchanjanga National Park.
• Tip: Documentation is required for Non-Sikkims, so carry it and hire a local tour guide for safety and navigation.

Kedarnath Trek: Abode of lord Shiva

Kedarnath is a revered pilgrimage shrine, located in the lap of the Himalayas of Uttarakhand at a very high altitude. The Kedarnath temple is dedicated to lord shiva, part of Panch Kedar and 12 Jyotirlinga, and an integral part of Char Dham yatra and Do Dham Yatra. It is surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks and holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism. The distance of the Kedarnath trek is around 16 km one-way and 32 km for a round trip, which starts from Gaurikund.

• Height/Altitude: 11,755 feet above sea level on the banks of the Alaknanda River.
• Location: Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India.
• Difficulty level: moderate to difficult due to uneven and rugged terrain.
• Best time to visit: May to June and September to October, providing excellent visibility, and the temple is also open at this time.
• Entry Information: Registration is required for the Kedarnath temple trek, as the temple sits at a very high altitude.
• Tips: pack wisely for your trip, prepare yourself mentally and physically, and register yourself on the portal of Uttarakhand tourism.

Hampta Pass Trek: A contrast between lush green and barren landscapes

Hampta Pass is a popular trekking site, located in the high Himalayan ranges of Himachal Pradesh. It is popular for its diverse landscape ranges in the different valleys. It is a 25 km long trek, starting from Jobra near Manali (base camp of the trek) and passing via dense oak forests, meadows, glacial valleys, and fast-flowing rivers, offering panoramic views of pir panjal ranges and Deo Tibba. It is considered a moderate trek, suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers, and it takes almost 4-5 days.

• Height/Altitude: 14,100 feet above sea level
• Location: Manali in Himachal Pradesh, India.
• Difficulty level: Moderate, involves varying terrain
• Best time to visit: The season for the Hampta Pass trek is from June to October. Avoid the monsoon, as heavy rain makes trails slippery and makes the trek difficult.
• Highlights: contrast of lush green valleys and barren landscapes, and panoramic views of the peaks.
• Entry Information: Permits, such as a forest entry fee and a camping fee, are required for the trek and provided by the local authorities in Manali.
• Tip: hire a local guide if you plan to do a self-trek and stay connected with your

Sandakphu Trek: The roof of Bengal

The Sandakphu Trek is a popular scenic trek located in the eastern Himalayas of India, along the India-Nepal border. The trek is renowned for its stunning Himalayan setting, offering excellent views of four high peaks, among the world’s five highest peaks, including Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga. The total distance of the trek is 45-60 km round-trip, which takes 6-8 days to complete, and it starts from the base camp, Manebhanjan, which is accessible via a drive from the New Jalpaiguri railway station and Bhagdora airport of West Bengal.

• Height/Altitude: The Sandakphu peak is situated at an altitude of 3,636 meters.
• Location: Shingalila National Park of the Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
• Difficulty level: easy to moderate due to gradual and steep trails.
• Highlights: The diverse wildlife, flora, and fauna of this region, and the formation of the “sleeping Buddha” are major highlights.
• Best time to visit: accessible all year-round; the best time depends on the desired experience. Visit during the spring (Mar-June) and autumn (Sep-Nov) for clear views and lush greenery, and visit during the winter (Dec-Feb) if you want to experience snow.
• Entry Information: A Permit and documentation are required for entering the Singalila National Park.

Kudermukh Trek: A famous mountain range of South India.

The Kundaermukha is a scenic trail located in the Western Ghats mountain range of Karnataka. The trail is known as Kudermukh (a Kannada word), which means “horse face” due to its unique shape. It is around a 20-22 km long trek, which starts from Mullodi village. It is considered a moderate to challenging trek due to its continuous steep ascents and descents, and it takes 8-9 hours to complete. The trail is part of the Kudremukh National Park, which is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including diverse wildlife species of birds, flowers, and animals, offering an opportunity for jungle safaris and nature photography.

Height/Altitude: 1,894 meters above sea level.

• Location: Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, India.
• Difficulty level: moderately challenging
• Best time to visit: The best time for trekking is from October to March. Avoid the monsoon due to muddy and slippery paths.
• Highlights: the surrounding scenery of the hills and the wildlife of the national park.
• Entry Information: A Permit is required for entering the Kudremukh National Park. Charges might apply around ₹500 to ₹600 for indian citizens.
• Note: camping is not allowed within the Kudremukh village.

Rajmachi Fort Trek: A trek to Twin Forts

The Rajmachi fort trek connects to two hill stations and leads to two twin forts (Sivardhan fort and Manaranjan fort), located in the Shayadri peaks of Maharashtra between the Lonavla and Karjat hill stations. The distance of this scenic trail is approximately 15 km round trip, which is considered easy to moderate, and it involves a flat walk along a motorable road, as the roads are very narrow to the base village. The Udherwadi village serves as the base for the trek, and it takes almost 6-8 hours, depending on the pace and fitness level.

• Height/Altitude: 2,710 feet above sea level.
• Location: Pune district of Maharashtra, India.
• Difficulty level: easy to moderate
• Best time to visit: accessible all year round; best time depends on your desired experience. Spring (Mar-June) and Autumn (Sep-Nov) are ideal for sightseeing and exploration.
• Entry Information: No formal permit is required for the Rajmachi trek.

Conclusion

Thus, we conclude that India offers a wide range of Trekking experiences, from the high altitudes of the Himalayas, like Kedarnath and the Kashmir Great Lake trek in Northern India, to the Jungles of the Western Ghats, like the Kundermukh trek in Southern India. Each trail offers unique experiences, such as Jungle safaris, Nature photography, riverside walks, and cultural exploration. Some considerations for trekking in India are to check the accessibility, weather, and best time to visit and be aware of the altitude and difficulty level, and most importantly, prepare yourself mentally and physically and plan all your logistical planning, like packing and permits, in advance.